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Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks Mt. Willard, NH
Trails
Trails: Avalon Trail, Mt. Willard Trail
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Sunday, April 28, 2013
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: Second in the lot at Crawford Depot at 8AM. Lot mostly full 2 hours later. 
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Wet Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Snow/Ice - Monorail (Stable) 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment: Light Traction 
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: The crossing near the bottom was low, but would require some serious boot-dunking to cross at the trail. Lots of herd paths found other ways across. 
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes: A couple blowdowns that are straight-forward step-overs, 6-8" variety. Trail simple enough to follow except in the bottom around the stream crossing. Lots of herd paths finding alternate, drier routes across. 2-3 blazes here and a few well-placed rocks would go a long way to helping alleviate this issue. Occasional blazes were found higher up, but none down low in the open woods where following the trail in the leaf-covered ground is a little harder. 
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes: Good dog route, saw one heading up as I was exiting. Ledges with a sharp drop at the top, so depending on the dog this may be an issue. 
Bugs
Bugs: A few stirring, but none of the blood-sucking/biting variety yet. 
Lost and Found
Lost and Found:  
 
Comments
Comments: Hike 1 of 2 today. Was supposed to do the Kinsmans but my legs were shot form the Northern Presi traverse the day before, and those coming to the Kinsmans bailed anyway, leaving the option for other hikes. Finally hit Mount Willard, which so many people rave about. I get it. Modest effort to get up there on mostly mild grades, and stupendous views down Crawford Notch. I poked around in the woods a bit, following a herd path (which the maps all show as more of the trail) past a couple more small outlooks, but nothing that was better than the main ledges. I think I tagged the highpoint as well though I can't be sure. I won't waste my time trying to find the one spot that is 10" higher should there be one... Spent a solid 30 minutes on the ledges just chilling, with no other people there. Saw the first people shortly below the summit on my descent, nicely timed!

Monorail started a tenth or so of a mile above the stream crossing, shortly below the signed waterhole. Continued all the way to the ledges/summit with a few occasional bare spots where the water was trickling. Microspikes worked well in both directions, though everyone else I saw was barebooting. Much easier with the spikes though.  
Name
Name: madmattd 
E-Mail
E-Mail:  
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2013-04-28 
Link
Link: https://mattshikes.blogspot.com 
Bookmark and Share 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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