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Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks Bald Cap, Bald Cap Peak Ledges, Bald Cap Peak, NH
Trails
Trails: Peabody Brook Trail, Mahoosuc Trail, bushwhacks, Bald Cap Peak Ledges Spur, herd paths
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Friday, January 6, 2017
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: I used the parking space cleared by snowflea and fancypants. Could be parking issues later in winter.  
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Snow - Unpacked Powder, Snow - Drifts 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment: Snowshoes 
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: Crossing Dream Lake to cut the corner was nice; I was not concerned by the ice conditions. 
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes: Some blowdowns on the Mahoosuc and upper peabody brook. Trails are well marked. 
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes:  
Bugs
Bugs:  
Lost and Found
Lost and Found:  
 
Comments
Comments: When I saw that Snowflea and Fancypants had broken part of this out, I noted that it would be good winter access to Bald Cap...Thank You! (congrats are in order on your single year grid too!).

I started out on the Peabody brook trail, which was well broken out save for some drifting. I took it all the way up to the spur, where the track turns. Trailbreaking was slow, but not as bad as last weekend, due to consolidation and a crust.

I began the bushwhack from the height of land just past Dream Lake. I started to try to follow the flat spur north, planning to cut west when I cleared the drainage. However, I struggled in tight woods and ended up droping down the the drainage and climbing the southwest spur. Woods were tight at times, and trailbreaking was variable. I reached the somewhat peculiar recognized highpoint and followed my tracks out.

I returned to the spur, this time cutting a corner by crossing dream lake. I headed up the spur, which was well packed to the first ledge. I noted that following a boundry cut for less than 100 yards led to an even nicer ledge. Not sure if this was part of the trail or not, but it did not seem it.

Finally, I chose to bushwhack Bald Cap Peak, choosing a high spot on the spur to launch. I quickly got to a nice opening with a cairn and continued to the summit area. Trailbreaking was easier at this lower altitude.

I followed my tracks back to the car. Good day out.  
Name
Name: zporterColdRiverCampCook 
E-Mail
E-Mail: zap88@tds.net 
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2017-01-06 
Link
Link: https:// 
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