Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
| Peaks |
Zealand Pond, Zealand Falls, Thoreau Falls, Shoal Pond, Ethan Pond, NH |
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| Trails: |
A-Z Trail, Zealand Trail, Zealand Falls spur, Ethan Pond Trail, Thoreau Falls Trail, Shoal Pond Trail, Ethan Pond Campsite spur |
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| Date of Hike: |
Sunday, May 29, 2016 |
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| Parking/Access Road Notes: |
The upper lot at the end of Willey Station House Road was full mid-afternoon with lots of vehicles on the side of the road. Plenty of parking lower on the side. |
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| Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable |
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| Recommended Equipment: |
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| Water Crossing Notes: |
No issues. |
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| Trail Maintenance Notes: |
There are three limbs covering this short section of the Shoal Pond Trail - each are easy step-overs. Evidence of recent trail maintenance at a few spots along the way - thank you. |
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| Dog-Related Notes: |
Didn't see any. |
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| Bugs: |
Not bad at all today. |
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| Lost and Found: |
Other than finding - and packing out - a few bits of trash, nothing. |
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| Comments: |
After spending the night at a nice LNT spot along the A-Z trail I completed a loop of sorts by visiting some of wonderful features along and near the Ethan Pond Trail. Overall I had most of these trails to myself, only encountering an AMC group at the Zeacliff junction and again at Thoreau Falls, a group of two adults and four kids who spent the night at Shoal Pond and a couple as I was approaching the Willey Range Trail junction. I sat along the shore of Shoal Pond for quite a while enjoying the sounds of silence and did the same at Ethan Pond. If for some reason I can't sleep tonight I'll forego the sheep and count bog bridges :)
One note: there appears to a spruce grouse nesting on the vertical root system of a felled tree maybe a half mile into the Shoal Pond Trail from the Ethan Pond Trail. On my way out another I had a stand off with another grouse on the trail. Neither were in attack mode but they weren't pleased with my presence either. |
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| Name: |
HMJ |
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| E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2016-05-29 |
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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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