| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Shaw, Black Snoot, Big Ball Mountain, NH |
|
 | Trails: |
Mt. Shaw Trail, Black Snout Trail, Black Snout Spur, Banana Trail, Tate Mountain Trail |
|
 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, September 16, 2017 |
|
 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
We found a spot for a 9:30 on trail time, and being on the slow side, we were last out at 5 pm. |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail |
|
 | Recommended Equipment: |
|
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
The three crossings on Mt. Shaw Trail were easy at low water level. |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
It would be nice if the Mt. Shaw Trail could be re-blazed. With three friends who had done enough research here and elsewhere working together, we figured it out with some effort. We stayed close to Fields Brook down low, followed the water lines, and sent one person ahead while two stayed behind in places. The red blazes were spotty, absent in some section and reliable in others. We met other hikers who had followed slightly different routes including using the gravel roads.
Black Snout Trail and Black Snout Spur were wide, easy trails that were well marked.
The north end of the Banana Trail was very brushy, but not for that long before it entered a nice evergreen forest. A trail crew could make short work of the brushy section, but it would be a long and tedious day for an individual maintainer.
The Tate Mountain Trail had some nice ledgy sections. |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
We met one nice four-legged friend on Big Ball Mountain. |
|
 | Bugs: |
Summer isn't over, and every species of flying insect knows it, including black flies. We didn't use repellent, so we got a few bites, but they weren't that bothersome. |
|
 | Lost and Found: |
|
|
|
|
|
 | Comments: |
This is a great hike in spite of the trail confusion and the fact that some of the peaks and trails have two names each. In less than 8 miles there are three peaks with terrific views, and lots of variety in the trails and scenery along the way. We really liked Big Ball Mountain with lots of nice ledge with views at the top and on the way down. Each peak has a loop in the trail around the top. |
|
 | Name: |
peaksseker |
|
 | E-Mail: |
peaksseeker@yahoo.com |
|
| Date Submitted: |
2017-09-17 |
|
 | 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. |
|
