NewEnglandTrailConditions.com
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Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks Cobble Mountain, Heator Mountain, Suncook Mountain, Piper Mountain, Belknap Mountain, Gunstock Mountain, Mt. Rowe, NH
Trails
Trails: Bushwhack, snowshoe trail, XC ski trails, Round Pond Trail, bushwhack, Round Pond-Piper Link, herd path, Old Piper Trail, Piper-Whiteface Link, White Trail, Blue Trail, Saddle Trail, Brook Trail, Ridge Trail, power line corridor, ski trails
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Saturday, April 22, 2017
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: Plenty @ Gunstock...in fact mine was the only vehicle there when I returned mid-afternoon. 
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Mud - Significant, Leaves - Significant/Slippery, Snow/Ice - Small Patches 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment:  
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: No issues on this route. 
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes: BRATTs do a wonderful job with blazing, signage and maintenance on these trails. I can only remember one recent looking felled tree on the Round Pond Trail. 
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes: Didn't see any. 
Bugs
Bugs: Didn't see any. 
Lost and Found
Lost and Found: Nothing. 
 
Comments
Comments: From the start of the Round Pond Trail I whacked up the slope of Cobble Mountain eventually picking up a snowshoe trail. After wandering around the summit area for a bit I took that trail and various XC ski trails to the Round Pond Trail. At the southern terminus I whacked to/from Heator Mountain, then taking Round Pond-Piper link to the base of the unofficial Suncook Mountain path - which has become much more defined since my last visit. Continuing west then north I visited the peaks of Piper, Belknap, Gunstock and Rowe. Rather than taking the road walk on the last piece of the Ridge Trail I opted to take the power line corridor back to the lot - footing here is difficult due to tree and brush cutting.

Trails are nearly free of snow and ice, though a few patches are still hanging on mostly in the Belknap/Gunstock area (still lots of snow at the summit of Gunstock). Varied other wet conditions throughout: mud, running water, wet leaves, puddles and the like. I actually had all of these summits to myself today - even Belknap after a group of five left shortly after I got there. Other than these folks and maybe 10 others around Belknap and Gunstock I didn't see anyone else on this entire trek. Views were nonexistant due to the overcast but I was just happy spending the day wandering this fine range.  
Name
Name: HMJ 
E-Mail
E-Mail:  
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2017-04-22 
Link
Link: https:// 
Bookmark and Share 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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