| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
North Moat Mountain, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Moat Mountain Trail, Red Ridge Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Sunday, May 19, 2013 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Fee parking at Diana's Bath, large lot with trash cans and pit toilets. South Moat Mountain Trailhead is not a fee site right now (fee tube taped over). |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Mud - Significant |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
All the crossings were fine, with low water levels and plenty of options for crossing with dry boots even. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Removed a 2" blowdown on the steep climb up to North Moat on Moat Mountain Trail. There was a ~8" blowdown across the trail on the climb too that needs removal, herd path around it right now, too much for my small saw. Lots of older blowdowns that are minor step-overs between North Moat and Red Ridge.
Red Ridge Trail in the lower half was mostly clear, we pulled a few blowdowns off of the trail in the lower flats.
Moat Mountain Trail needs some markings in and around the stream crossings in the vicinity of the Red Ridge Trail junction. One crossing in particular has a well-worn herd path that looks like the trail for a hundred feet or so going straight ahead where the trail actually turns left (on ascent) and crosses, a blaze or two here and brushing in of the herd path would be helpful. Not an issue on descent.
Some pretty good mud pits in the flats on Red Ridge Trail right now. Some rock-hoppable, some not. Trail is getting widened by people avoiding the mud. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Saw a happy golden that came up with his humans from the South, presumably Red Ridge Trail. A couple steep scrambles on the South side of North Moat could be tough for some dogs. Lots of sipping and dipping opportunities off of the ridge. |
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 | Bugs: |
Mosquitoes out and hungry in the lower elevations. Kept moving and only got a few bites this time. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
A few bits of trash removed, trails pretty clean otherwise. |
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 | Comments: |
Originally slated to be a Moat Mountain Trail traverse over the whole range, we were tired from the day before and the steep climb up North Moat wore us out. So we took plan B down the Red Ridge Trail instead, which was an awesome descent route! North Moat was spectacular with 360-degree views and the Red Ridge Trail was stupendous heading down a ledgy ridge with views for quite a while until hitting the woods and it was an easy cruise out from there. Little wonder this is such a recommended loop.
Surprisingly few people on the trails aside from the large French Canadian group (30ish of them) down for their holiday. They were hiking in small groups of 2-5 and were quite friendly.
Great Sunday hike with a small Meetup group of me+1 :D I'll be back for the full traverse at some point! |
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 | Name: |
madmattd |
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 | E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2013-05-20 |
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 | Link: |
 https://mattshikes.blogspot.com/ |
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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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