| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Oregon Mountain, Mowglis Mountain, Cilley's Cave, Welton Falls, NH |
|
 | Trails: |
Road walk, Elwell Trail, Oregon Mountain Trail, Back 80 Trail, Mowglis Trail, bushwhack, (Lower) Manning Trail |
|
 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, August 19, 2017 |
|
 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
I parked at the end of Welton Falls Rd a the Cream Hill Junction (along the roadside - room for plenty of cars all along that road but I've NEVER seen any other cars there). As it turns out, Old Dicey Road is in very good condition - looks to have been recently improved (for logging?) - I could have probably driven all the way to at least the Back 80 Loop junction with Old Dicey Rd. |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Mud - Minor/Avoidable |
|
 | Recommended Equipment: |
|
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
I was worried about the 2 Fowler River crossings near Welton Falls, but, they were (just barely) rock-hoppable with a bit of a jump, but, I am tall!!!! |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
there has been some brushing, but, these less-used trails had a general assortment of deadfall and older blowdowns |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
For around an hour I kept hearing dogs howling - for a while I thought maybe that wolf farm was still operating? Then, 2 medium-sized blackish dogs with collars and tags rather skittishly passed me - I figured I'd see their owner but never did. I kept hearing them until I was past Mowglis - kind of desperate howling - ? |
|
 | Bugs: |
kind of annoying - mostly flies when along the Elwell Trail |
|
 | Lost and Found: |
|
|
|
|
|
 | Comments: |
Nice loop today with a lot of bailout spots - wasn't sure how far I would be able to go so I planned a lot of options. Old Dicey Road has been improved. The section north of the Back 80 Loop junction has really been widened and there are no blazes - at one point there is a log landing to the right, so I went left which was the way to go - it was a head-scratcher in there!!!!
Oregon Mtn is just an awesome place with terrific wide open ledges and pretty deep green mossy woods. From there I went to Mowglis and had lunch at the viewpoint (the one with views down to the beaver pond) to the west of Mowglis. Trail corridor was always very obvious.
Then, I decided yet another revisit to Cilley's Cave was in order. Since my last visit, the trail signs now have NO reference to the cave. It is a bit tricky to find but was still in fine condition.
From there, I took the Back 80 to the lodge and then the Lower Manning out to Welton Falls. The falls were truly amazing with a LOT of water flowing through all the potholes and over the ledge. Amazingly only saw 2 people below the falls!!!! Unfortunately, the railing continues to fall apart above the falls. Oh well :(
From the falls, it was an easy walk back to my car to finish the loop. A terrific day!!!! Other than people at the cars at the lodge, I only saw 4 people the entire day! |
|
 | Name: |
Becca Munroe |
|
 | E-Mail: |
beccahiker@yahoo.com |
|
| Date Submitted: |
2017-08-19 |
|
 | Link: |
 https:// |
|
|
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. |
|
