| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
West Quarry Mountain, Rand Mountain, Mt. Klem, Mt. Mack, Mt. Anna, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Reed Road, Reed Road Trail, Dave Roberts Quarry Trail, Klem-Mack Loop, Red Trail, Blue Trail, Belknap Range Trail, Marsh Crossing Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Friday, November 10, 2017 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Lovely big parking lot off of Reed Road was in great shape. Walk up the road from the parking lot past the last house to eventually access Reed Road Trail blazed in blue well past the gate. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Leaves - Significant/Slippery |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Rock hopping the various streams today with ease. Most difficult was near the middle of Marsh Crossing, requiring just the tiniest bit of thought to avoid wet feet. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Trails in fantastic condition. A few minor walkover blowdowns here and there, but nothing troublesome. Well-blazed everywhere you needed a blaze for confidence. All junctions well marked.
Reed Road Trail junction was marked by paper protected by a plastic sheet. I don't think it will last the winter. Needs a hug.
I wish the southern end of the Marsh Crossing Trail junction was marked more obviously. Maybe a signpost. That said, the small cairn on the big rock is a nice touch. Look up at that point, and peer around for the yellow blazes. Easy to find if you're looking for it, easy to walk by if you're not (such as if you have an old map of the Belknap Range). |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Dogs would romp in ecstasy throughout the route we took today, I suspect. Lots of nice trail with few places requiring a scramble. |
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 | Bugs: |
Cold has defeated the bugs, which are hiding in their ignominy until the spring. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
Nothing today. |
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 | Comments: |
Our hike was a stiff climb up Reed Road trail, followed by a loop that bagged several peaks in the Belknap Range. No problems aside from a bit of ice starting to form on open ledges. Spotted prints from a young bear, small and close together between the Quarries. Also 3+ incidents of canine scat, presumably coyote. Cold today, with temps falling about ten degrees between start and stop. Also windy depending on which ridgelines we were on or below, meaning there was a steady cadence of hats on and off, hoods up and down, and Buffs up around the face or down around the neck. A splendid hike in the mini-Whites. |
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 | Name: |
ecbanks |
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 | E-Mail: |
020655@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2017-11-10 |
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 | Link: |
 https://nh48.wordpress.com |
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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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