| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Deer Mountain, Deer Ridge Middle Peak, Unknown Pond Peak, NH |
|
 | Trails: |
Mill Brook Trail, bushwhacks, Kilkenny Ridge Trail |
|
 | Date of Hike: |
Sunday, April 5, 2015 |
|
 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
|
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Ice - Breakable Crust, Snow - Unpacked Powder, Snow - Drifts, Snow - Spring Snow |
|
 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes |
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
I took a chance crossing a snowbridge on the Cold Brook just before getting back to the Mill Brook Trail. May be hard in the coming weeks. |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
|
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
|
|
 | Bugs: |
|
|
 | Lost and Found: |
|
|
|
|
|
 | Comments: |
I was surprised to see the Mill Brook trail well packed out. I walked about 3/4mi. and made a bushwhack for Deer Mtn. The woods remained open and easy the entire way. The snow conditions proved challenging as the crust sometimes supported me; but other times the ground would come out from under me, sending me in deep. Fortunately, up on the ridge this improved. Right at the summit I scared a moose out of bed and got a great view of him walking away. Some fire tower remains poked up through the deep snow which was almost up to the roof of the old outhouse. Some views were available through the trees.
From Deer I headed for Deer Ridge Middle, enjoying good walking all the way to the recognized high point. This peak is on some versions of the NH300 highest, however it does not seem to make the one on the grid companion site. Following the ridge for a short distance I dropped back down to Mill Brook, encountering more of the annoying surface conditions.
I was surprised to find Killkenny ridge trail broken out in both directions from Mill Brook. I followed the broken trail to a glade not far from the height of land, where it was obscured by drifting. I approximated the route through glades to near the height of land and bushwhacked to UPP.
From UPP I bushwhacked straight down to the beginning of Mill Brook trail. Beautiful views from the extensive birch glades. Only one thick band but really tough surface conditions due to that breakable crust factor. I was sinking very deep and could not get a rhythm because one foot would not break through until I went to make a step with the other.
This was a pretty interesting day out! |
|
 | Name: |
zporterColdRiverCampCook |
|
 | E-Mail: |
zap88@tds.net |
|
| Date Submitted: |
2015-04-05 |
|
 | Link: |
 https:// |
|
|
Disclaimer: Reports are not verified - conditions may vary. Use at own risk. Always be prepared when hiking. Observe all signs. Trail conditions reports are not substitutes for weather reports or common sense. |
|
