| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Webster, Mt. Morgan, Mt. Percival, NH |
|
 | Trails: |
Old Mountain Road, Crawford-Ridgepole Trail, bushwhack, Mt. Morgan spur trail, Prospect Trail |
|
 | Date of Hike: |
Friday, December 8, 2017 |
|
 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Parking for several vehicles at the lot at the end of Mountain Road, for the start of Old Mountain Road from the west side of the ridge. Parking for several vehicles, as well, in the new lot at the trailhead for the Prospect Trail, off of Perch Pond Road. |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Ice - Black, Wet Trail, Ice - Blue, Snow/Ice - Small Patches |
|
 | Recommended Equipment: |
|
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
None were an issue. |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Old Mountain Road continues to erode. Other trails are in decent shape -- nothing of note. Newly opened Prospect Trail is in lovely shape. |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
|
|
 | Bugs: |
|
|
 | Lost and Found: |
|
|
|
|
|
 | Comments: |
We were planning an out-and-back from Old Mountain Road, up the Crawford-Ridgepole Trail, to Mt. Percival. On the way back, though, we noticed a newly blazed (red SLA tags) but as-of-now unsigned trail heading west off the Crawford-Ridgepole Trail, where the old Prospect Trail had connected. We had some extra time, and decided to explore this.
The trail looks like it was opened in the last month, and ends up on Perch Pond Road where the old Prospect Trail exited. Other than that, it doesn't follow the old (straight line) route, other than to cross it occasionally with quite a few newly cut switchbacks. Very nice (and quite a bit of) work done to craft this trail. Footbed is new, soft, and nice on the feet. A parking area at the end of the trail (off of Perch Pond Road) looks newly crafted, as well.
This might become our go-to access point for Crawford-Ridgepole Trail from the west, replacing Old Mountain Road from the lot at the top of Mountain Road. It will be interesting to see if this lot is plowed in winter, too. If so, it would be a nice snowshoe access point.
Trails in general yesterday were pretty easy to move on -- some blue ice bits here and there, as well as wet spots, to avoid with care. We brought light traction and never quite felt the need to use it.
Quick bushwhack to the high point on Mt. Webster was fun. We had been by it so many times but never took a moment to climb up. There are some nice view ledges on the east side of Mt. Webster that overlook Squam Lake -- worth the climb, if you have a moment.
We saw one other person on the trail, someone doing the Morgan-Percival loop. Other than that, we had the trails to ourselves.
|
|
 | Name: |
Pancks and Tesco Heaney |
|
 | E-Mail: |
|
|
| Date Submitted: |
2017-12-09 |
|
 | 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. |
|
