| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Shingle Pond, Kearsarge North Mountain, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Weeks Brook Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, July 2, 2016 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Parked at the trailhead along Hardwood Hill Road in Chatham. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
No problems. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Numerous blowdowns scattered along the length of WBT. One was very recently cleared with an axe. Blazes alternated between fresh and faded. The section where the trail turns left through a log landing is overgrown and obscure, with lots of ticks. :( Above this, the ancient logging road section is wet with running water and hard to follow in spots. Near the col with Rickers Knoll and up the steeps, the trail needs brushing. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Sure. |
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 | Bugs: |
Flies were pretty annoying at the trailhead, but the wind helped. No bugs at the summit, as the wind was blasting. Picked up four ticks going through the brushy log landing. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
Found one end of the abandoned Shingle Pond Trail. |
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 | Comments: |
A third visit to Kearsarge North, this time from the Chatham side, which I'd never done. This is a long, quiet, lightly-travels and somewhat overgrown route to this popular peak. I only saw two people on this route, and not many people on the summit.
Walking is pretty easy all the way to Shingle Pond, which is quite scenic with a nice look up to the peak and fire tower. A nice destination in itself for some quiet.
At the col between Kearsarge North and Rickers Knoll, where WBT turns sharply left at a bog, I spent some time hunting around for traces of the abandoned trail to Rickers Knoll, indicated on old topo maps. I found what looked like a hint, but it disappeared almost immediately.
Leaving the bog, WBT then climbs somewhat steeply up to the summit via many short switchbacks, emerging on open ledges below the fire tower. This switchback section of the trail needs brushing and resembled a herd path in some spots. Views were tremendous but it was very windy and cold on top. Maybe that's what kept the crowds away?
Descending, I followed the same route out, noting the junction of the abandoned Shingle Pond Trail for future exploration. |
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 | Name: |
KenM |
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 | E-Mail: |
kmacgray@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2016-07-03 |
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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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