| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Stoddard Rocks, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Various trails |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, September 15, 2018 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Small parking area for Pickerel Cove Conservation Area (SPNHF sign) on Shedd Hill Road in Stoddard. Room for three or four sensibly parked vehicles. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
No issues. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Several large blowdowns along this route. One requires a bypass. Signage along this route is also confusing, with signs seemingly pointing in wrong directions. The main route from the parking area to the summit, comprised of other trails whose names are difficult to discern from the trailhead kiosk, is marked with plastic red / white blazes. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Sure, I saw one. |
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 | Bugs: |
Mosquitoes were pesky. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
Nothing. |
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|
 | Comments: |
I'm usually pretty detailed with my trail names in these reports, but I honestly couldn't tell which trail segments made up this route. The map at the trailhead kiosk displays them in similar faded colors.
Anyway, this route follows a foot path initially, then old woods roads the rest of the way, making a loop over an unnamed summit unofficially known as Chapman's Hill. At the summit are the Stoddard Rocks, enormous glacial erratics perched on top. An unusual geologic sight. The route also passes by Pioneer Lake, a lovely, quiet spot. Trails were mainly dry with touches of mud here and there.
One confusing spot at 1.4 mi. indicates the trail bears left (or straight, hard to tell), when it in fact takes a sharp right to proceed through an overgrown clearing. Blazing also disappears in this section.
No views from the summit, but weaving through the boulders is very cool. This is an interesting hike, but needs to be signed clearer, and perhaps this overall route, comprised of other trails, should be given a name. In general, just follow the red / white blazes and you'll be there. |
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 | Name: |
KenM |
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 | E-Mail: |
kmacgray@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2018-09-15 |
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 | Link: |
 https:// |
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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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