| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Webster, Mt. Morgan, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Woods road, Cascade Trail, Crawford-Ridgepole Trail, herd paths, Mt. Morgan Trail, Mt. Morgan Spur |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Sunday, November 6, 2016 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Perch Pond Road is paved then turns to hard packed dirt and gravel - my Hyundai Elantra had no problems. Not knowing the gated road's status I parked on the side of the road. Mine was the only vehicle there this morning and joined by one other as I was leaving early this afternoon (more on that below). |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Leaves - Significant/Slippery |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
One small brook on the Cascade Trail was easily crossed. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Considering the Cascade Trail is supposedly abandoned it sure is in good shape: it is well blazed in blue and even double-blazed at a couple of sharp switchbacks. There are some branches down here and there which are more of a nuisance than a hinderance - I tossed some of these aside on both passes. The CRT is in good shape also in addition to being well signed. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
I saw four on the Mt. Morgan south viewpoint. |
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 | Bugs: |
I actually saw a few flies on the ridge. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
Nothing. |
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 | Comments: |
I had been wanting to check out the 'abandoned' Cascade Trail for a while and after seeing some recent intel I decided today was as good as any. Note: I did not explore the portion which loops around to the east of Perch Pond - I was going to on my way out but did not find any obvious point to take it so not wanting to whack around the pond I didn't bother.
For the woods road that leaves Perch Pond Road, there is a gate which can be seen when you are next to the road with a 'No Campfires' sign - apparently this is ignored on the shore of Perch Pond. The Cascade Trail was a pleasant surprise with mostly easy grades and good footing. Even though ~ 90% of the leaves are down it is well blazed and the corridor is fairly obvious most of the way. The footing underneath the leaves seemed to be very good - in fact I'd say it was a bit more of a problem on the CRT but YMMV.
Upon hitting the ridge I headed south and visited Mt. Webster's summit proper then continued onto the outlook - both accessed by herd paths. Then I doubled back north to Mt. Morgan (going up the ladders and caves which were fine) and enjoyed lunch at the south viewpoint before visiting that actual summit via a blazed spur path - north views there are mostly obscured. I then went down the 'stairs' and retraced my steps out. Starting late morning and into early afternoon there were very light and very brief periods of a wintry mix. Clouds early on changed to partly sunny as the day progressed. Outside of maybe ten or so folks (and the four dogs) at the Mt. Morgan viewpoint I didn't see anyone else on this route.
When back at my car getting ready to leave a couple of nice fellas in a pick up truck pulled up next to me and asked if I 'needed help with dragging anything outta there.' After explaining I didn't they asked if I saw any deer (no) then pulled up to the gate to gate to go hunting. Though I didn't see any on my hike this area seems like a prime one for hunters - especially with a fish & game club, a hunter education center and an archery range along Perch Pond Road. I was well dressed in blaze orange but if this sort of thing makes you uneasy you might want to save this one for another day. |
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 | Name: |
HMJ |
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 | E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2016-11-06 |
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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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