| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Stillwater Junction, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Hancock Notch Trail, Cedar Brook Trail, Wilderness Trail, Thoreau Falls Trail, Carrigain Notch Trail, Nancy Pond Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, September 15, 2018 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Plenty @ Hancock Trailhead at 8 AM...but filling up fast. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
I was able to rock hop all crossings on this route. I decided to visit the Thoreau Falls Bridge site for lunch. The bridge is posted as closed, the foot boards and railing removed at each end with the entrance blocked but the structure is still there. The crossing didn't seem too bad a few feet downstream - but crossing was not part of my route so take that FWIW. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
As Wilderness Trails go the Cedar Brook and Wilderness Trails are in good shape. The major exception is on Cedar Brook Trail about midway between Hancock Loop Trail and Wilderness Trail: there is a section of washed out trail. Basically the trail is close to - if not on - on an overhanging cliff of earth. There are some sticks on the ground pushing you up the hill a couple of feet but this small section appears to be on borrowed time. I imagine a minor re-route up the slope - either officially or by herd path - will be needed. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Didn't see any. |
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 | Bugs: |
A couple of flies in the afternoon and at camp but otherwise nil. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
Found: lots of solitude. |
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|
 | Comments: |
Day one of an overnight hike...
Other than the aforementioned issue on Cedar Brook Trail, these trails are in good shape and footing is mostly very nice.
I spent the day in a more remote area of the Pemi, exploring the old railroad grades and logging camps of the past. Poking around Camp 24 was a highlight - lots of neat stuff there. Once beyond the Hancock Loop junction there was a LOT of fresh scat on Cedar Brook Trail and then continuing a bit on Wilderness Trail. It wasn't moose poo and it wasn't bear poo...I swore it was horse poo. More on that in my Day 2 post.
Though there were no sweeping views on this route I did enjoy lunch with Mt. Carrigain in sight at the (former) Thoreau Falls Bridge and I found a place to camp with an obscured view of Mount Bond. Outside of three on Cedar Brook Trail heading to the Hancocks I only saw three others the entire day. |
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 | Name: |
HMJ |
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 | E-Mail: |
trailsntrees(at)gmail(dot)com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2018-09-16 |
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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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