Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
| Peaks |
Judge's Hill (attempt), MA |
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| Trails: |
Steep Bank Brook Trail |
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| Date of Hike: |
Sunday, August 26, 2018 |
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| Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Parking area closed. Park across the road from the bridge and duck under the gate across the bridge to reach trailhead. |
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| Surface Conditions: |
Wet/Slippery Rock, Standing/Running Water on Trail |
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| Recommended Equipment: |
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| Water Crossing Notes: |
Many (none showing on state forest trail map) |
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| Trail Maintenance Notes: |
This trail appears to have been severely neglected for many years. |
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| Dog-Related Notes: |
The dogs had a great time. |
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| Bugs: |
The usual amount of blackflies and mosquitoes plus a disturbed bees nest resulting in multiple stings. |
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| Lost and Found: |
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| Comments: |
This was supposed to be an ascent of Judge's Hill in Notchview reservation via the Windsor State Forest end of the Steep Bank Brook Trail, the Notchview reservation end of the same trail plus Bate's Rd. and Judge's Hill Trail. We went less than a mile in over an hour and a third. The S.B.B. trail, at least in W.S.F. is not being maintained. Many blowdowns exist. Blazes are faint and the path indistinct. There are places where the brook bank has caved in and taken the path with it. The trail improved slightly the closer we got to the reservation boundary. Not sure we ever actually reached it since no sign was seen and the blazes did not change. I expect we were close but time ran out. To descend we bushwacked up the northern bank and followed the ridge down to the bottom of the trail. It was easier going up there with the exception of a disturbed nest of bees that left their mark. This trail is not recommended unless you like the challenge of difficult route finding. |
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| Name: |
Phil Lussier |
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| E-Mail: |
pklussier@hotmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2018-08-26 |
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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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