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Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks Mt. Success, NH
Trails
Trails: Success Trail, Mahoosuc Trail, herd path
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Friday, July 20, 2018
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: Success Pond Road is a much rougher ride than it was when I drove down it 4 years ago. For the first few miles you will feel like you are riding a bucking bronco. After the rough start, it smooths out significantly. The road leading to the second parking area has collapsed. This adds 4/10ths of a mile each way to your hike. If you are very brave, or a little reckless, you can drive (carefully) around the collapsed area to the second lot. If you are not careful you will end up in the brook....probably best to park on the side of the road and hike the .4 in ;).  
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Dry Trail 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment:  
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: none 
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes:  
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes: There is one section where you will have to help your dog down (on the way in) and up (on the way out). Your buddy should not have trouble anywhere else on the trail. There is intermittent water along the way, but it is always best to bring an extra supply, especially on hot days.  
Bugs
Bugs: None. 
Lost and Found
Lost and Found: None 
 
Comments
Comments: This is the second time I have hiked this trail. My impression the first time: "The trail is rated difficult/very difficult on Franklinsites and as I hiked up I couldn’t figure out why. I thought it was a moderate hike and it felt like a gradual ascent. On the way down however, I thought 'Who the heck climbed this mountain? It couldn’t have been me?'" http://solowoodlandwanderer.blogspot.com/2014/09/mount-success.html

My thoughts on the steepness of this trail has not changed. I loved it, each steep area is countered with easy flat ones. The trail is eroded in areas, but is easy to follow and quite beautiful. It has a peaceful, calming energy.

Success Pond Road is a surprisingly busy road and the locals have a tendency to break speed limits - beware. Since the road to the nice, quiet parking area, had collapsed, I had to car-camp on the side of the road. Not ideal. One pickup truck, during the night, stopped behind me with its high beams on for about 5 minutes then zoomed away - slightly creepy.

If you have AllTrails on your phone, finding the plane crash site will be a breeze....mostly. It is a bushwhack in places and you will start to think someone put a fake trail on the map just to mess with hikers. I have read there were ribbons marking the trail but there were none when I hiked it.

To get to the crash site, continue on the Mahoosuc trail from the summit of Mt Success (across the mountain bog filled with cotton grass and cloudberries) and down to a clearing with a small cairn and a fork in the trail. Take a left onto a narrow (deer-trail) until you come to yellow boundary markers. Follow that trail, which will become a very narrow bushwhack (expect scratches and a few self-spouting obscenities). Just when you are ready to turn back you will find yourself at the crash site.

A few years ago you were able to stand in the fuselage, since then the plane has collapsed completely and this is no longer possible. It is still a very interesting place to check out.

I have photos on my FB page in the link below.  
Name
Name: solowoodlandwanderer 
E-Mail
E-Mail: bugsandthings@comcast.net 
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2018-07-23 
Link
Link: https://www.facebook.com/roberta.m.dellanno/media_set?set=a.10215245456602820.1073742345.1626231855&type=3 
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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