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Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks Mt. Kineo, Mt. Kineo - East Peak, NH
Trails
Trails: Mt. Kineo Trail, bushwhack
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Saturday, October 28, 2017
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: My little Hyundai had no problem on Hubbard Brook Road or on FR22 to park at the trailhead. Mine was the only vehicle there when I left and when I returned. 
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Leaves - Significant/Slippery 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment:  
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: Just a couple of feeders which are simple step overs. 
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes: There is a large felled tree maybe 200 yards in across the Mt. Kineo Trail which has to be stepped through. It looked like a couple of branches have been removed with a saw at some point so maybe this is as good as it's going to get?  
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: The leaves are down on this northern section of the Mt. Kineo Trail. It was also a little wet so some attention to footing is wise.

From the HOL I took a bearing straight to the summit of Mt. Kineo staying on the NE side of the ridge. This worked out well as the woods were pretty open along with some convenient game trails. Nobody had signed the register in two months before my visit today.
(Just a note: the tree with the sign and canister has broken off and is currently leaning on another leaner.) I made such good time getting back to the Mt. Kineo Trail I decided to also visit East Kineo. I figured since staying below the ridge worked so well heading west I did the same going east. WRONG! Leaving the Mt. Kineo Trail from the bend below HOL I almost immediately encountered hobblebush ranging from heavy to horrible. This went on for about a half mile when the woods mercifully opened up and then using game trails/herd paths for the final push to the summit - which I made 2 minutes before my turn around time :) That register hadn't been signed since mid-August and only 5 times this year. For my descent I headed further N toward the trailhead and that worked out much better.

I wanted a good walk in the woods and the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest fit the bill for sure. On the drive out I went to the laboratory building and was surprised to find it open, so I read about some of the interesting research activities being undertaken in this area.

Almost needless to say: I didn't see another soul on this entire trek though I did see a hare scamper away. However, I did hear distant gunshots late in the morning. I wore my blaze orange from start to finish. It's that time of year.  
Name
Name: HMJ 
E-Mail
E-Mail:  
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2017-10-28 
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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