Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
| Peaks |
Mt. Meader, Eagle Crag, NH |
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| Trails: |
Route 113, Mt. Meader Trail, Meader Ridge Trail, Baldface Circle Trail, Bicknell Ridge Trail |
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| Date of Hike: |
Saturday, December 26, 2015 |
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| 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. |
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| Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Leaves - Significant/Slippery |
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| Recommended Equipment: |
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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| Dog-Related Notes: |
Didn't see any. |
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| Bugs: |
Didn't see any. |
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| Lost and Found: |
FOUND: a black Stabilicer about a half mile down the Bicknell Ridge Trail descending. I left it at the kiosk. |
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| 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.
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| Name: |
HMJ |
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| E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2015-12-26 |
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| Link: |
https:// |
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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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