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Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks Mt. Meader, Eagle Crag, NH
Trails
Trails: Route 113, Mt. Meader Trail, Meader Ridge Trail, Baldface Circle Trail, Bicknell Ridge Trail
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Saturday, December 26, 2015
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: I was the first one in the Baldface Circle lot at 8 AM. There were 10 autos with room for many more when I returned mid-afternoon. 
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Leaves - Significant/Slippery 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment:  
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: The two on this lower section of the Baldface Circle Trail can be rock hopped - though the first one nearest the road is a little tricky. The crossings on the Mt. Meader Trail and Meader Ridge Trail are small and posed no problems today. 
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes: There is a sign for the Mt. Meader trailhead facing north but not one facing south - but the trail starts (conveniently enough) immediately after Meader Road heading north. There is one blowdown about half way up the Mt. Meader Trail which requires a minor whack-around. The section of Baldface Circle trail below the lower Bicknell Ridge junction is very wet - it appears the lots of leaves are clogging drainage points. 
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes: Didn't see any. 
Bugs
Bugs: Didn't see any. 
Lost and Found
Lost and Found: FOUND: a black Stabilicer about a half mile down the Bicknell Ridge Trail descending. I left it at the kiosk. 
 
Comments
Comments: I figured I'd get the short road walk out of the way first and use it as a warm-up, however the Mt. Meader Trail was pretty much a warm-up until the switchbacks with gentle grades and good footing. Trails were predominantly dry with just a few small spots of minor mud and water (except as noted above). The only ice I saw were a couple of lightly frozen puddles and a couple areas of crunchy mud so the spikes stayed in the pack.

I spent quite a bit of time at both peaks snapping picks and enjoying the fantastic weather. I only saw one other person the entire day - he was going up the Bicknell Ridge Trail as I was descending. I found it difficult to descend this trail: not because of the trail or its conditions but because my eyes wanted to constantly wander toward the Baldfaces - even through the trees.

Lots of sun, scenery and solitude made for a wonderful early fall...uh, I mean early winter...hike.

 
Name
Name: HMJ 
E-Mail
E-Mail:  
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2015-12-26 
Link
Link: https:// 
Bookmark and Share 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.

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