| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Everett, Mt. Race, MA |
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 | Trails: |
Appalachian Trail, Race Brook Falls Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, July 14, 2012 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Plenty of room at Jug End and RBF trailheads. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Water is VERY low. It's drought conditions here. More about that below. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
All trails in excellent condition. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Saw one dog out. It's very dry out, so bring plenty of water for dog and self. |
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 | Bugs: |
A little buggy, but not terrible. The spray kepts them at bay, mostly, though the did hover at times. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
Went out with Coach Lou, with two cars, starting at Jug End and ending at Race Brook Falls trailhead. It was very, very dry. Many of the tree on the upper reaches of Race, especially, are in terrible shape, and the blueberry bushes are uniformly non-productive, trying to hang on to live another year through this drought.
Bring lots of water, I'd say, and a filter if you have one, or tablets, as there is very little water, except at Guilder Pond and the lowermost reaches of Race Brook, below 1000'. I brought a gallon and a third of water and ran out by the summit of Race. Fortunately, my hiking partner brought two gallons and had some to spare, and trail angels left water in coolers at the Guilder parking area, of which I took 24 oz. I drank, bravely or foolishly, from the brook at the main falls crossing at 1400'. The brook had no water in it at all until about 1700', and wasn't running at all until about 1650'. Very low water table.
If you want to see this stretch of trail at its best, I'd advise waiting until a few good rains have fallen. It's beautiful as ever, but the forest is an unhappy place now, so dry is it. |
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 | Name: |
Driver 8/Chris Stratton |
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 | E-Mail: |
christratton@hotmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2012-07-15 |
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 | Link: |
 https://facebook.com/arkie.in.ct |
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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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