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Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks Potash Mountain, NH
Trails
Trails: Downes Brook Trail, Mt. Potash Trail
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Saturday, October 23, 2010
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: Big lot at trailhead was full but I showed up late in the early afternoon. 
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Dry Trail, Ice - Breakable Crust, Mud - Minor/Avoidable 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment:  
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: Crossing of Downes Brook was rock hoppable though the crossing is quite wide (wider than most crossings I've made this year except perhaps Franconia Brook) - 50 feet or so on small to medium rocks - a few of the rocks were under an inch or so of water so the bottom of the boots will get wet. For those looking to avoid the crossing you can take a logging road that intersects the trail well above the crossing - the access is .6 miles further up the Kanc from the UNH/Downes Brook Parking Lot. 
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes: Counted 20 blowdowns on the trail - It looks like that not a lot has been done to clear it recently - a few older but most looked to have occured this year. Most have been trimmed so easy to get over or around right now. Many will take a significant saw and one large pine about half way up Mt Potash trail will likely take a chainsaw. Two blowdowns above the first viewpoint block the trail and paths have developed around. Mt. Potash trail may take a little work to get it ready for winter.  
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes: An easy trail for the canines - met one friendly dog on the way up 
Bugs
Bugs:  
Lost and Found
Lost and Found:  
 
Comments
Comments: A great alternative to the loop over Hedgehog from the same trailhead. Less crowded and I think much better views. Many blowdowns to get over but nothing challenging. There were a few minor patches of ice on some of the rocks but nothing that required any traction since they could be avoided. Ledges you have to scramble up right below the summit were dry but will definitely require traction once they get wet/icy. Amazing views from the summit that stretch from Passaconway/Whiteface to the Tripyramids, Osceola across to the Hancocks and Carrigain and a great view of the snow capped Presidentials - a short hike that packs some serious views. Saw 8 people and one dog on the trail today. Defintiely one I'll be back to hike this winter. Though was sad to see from the summit evidence in places of the logging that is occuring in the area and there is one cleared stretch above where you cross the logging road you can glimpse through the trees.  
Name
Name: Brian from Maine 
E-Mail
E-Mail: brobert1@maine.rr.com 
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2010-10-23 
Link
Link: https:// 
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