| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Rogers Ledge, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Mill Brook Trail, Kilkenny Ridge Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Sunday, July 1, 2012 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
The small parking area at the trailhead proper has room for five or six cars, but there's room for dozens by the fish hatchery buildings. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Mud - Significant |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Easy. They're all small side brooks on this route. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
One duck-under blowdown on Mill Brook Trail. The problem is the mud. There's a ton of it. But it's nothing that a few dozen well placed stepping stones and 30 or 40 puncheons couldn't fix. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Great hike for dogs. Plenty of water, oodles of mud. On the "official" Rogers Ledge outlook (the one with the Rogers Ledge plaque) you'll want to leash your dog to prevent any falls over the abrupt cliff edge. |
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 | Bugs: |
Bad. Mosquitoes in the morning and clouds of black flies later. Fortunately, a weak breeze at the Ledge was just enough to keep the bugs away while we enjoyed the view. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
The Mill Brook Trail is very muddy in several places, sometimes requiring short bushwhacks to avoid the worst of the pits. Once the trail climbs away from Mill Brook, things dry out somewhat, but there are still a couple of significant mud pits within a mile of the junction with the Kilkenny Ridge Trail. Mill Brook Trail would also benefit from brushing and clipping in some meadow-y areas.
The famous views from Rogers Ledge are as advertised: superb, including great views to the south encompassing the Presis and to the east. There are two view outlooks; the one with the plaque offers a little better viewing than the other outlook, but both are worth your time.
I would like to return to this quiet, wild hike in the fall when cold temperatures crust-freeze the mud and the bugs aren't a factor. It's a really nice trip into some deep backcountry. We saw just two people all day.
Great day out with Jeremy, Josie and Polly. Thanks, Jr, for joining us.
Photos at link below. |
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 | Name: |
The Feathered Hat |
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 | E-Mail: |
stevebjerklie at yahoo dot com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2012-07-01 |
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 | Link: |
 https://www.flickr.com/photos/99682097@N00/sets/72157630375755848/ |
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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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