| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Mary, Pilot Mountain - Middle Peak, Pilot Mountain - West Peak, Hutchins Mountain, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Unnamed trail, bushwhack |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, January 18, 2014 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
the parking for this hike is on private land at the end of herman savage road near lancaster. drive to the end of the road and as you approach the last house there is a large plowed out area on the left. no motorized vehicles or firearms allowed past this point, but hikers are welcome. we had a brief conversation with the owner of the land and he was very welcoming. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Snow - Trace/Minimal Depth, Ice - Blue, Ice - Breakable Crust, Snow - Unpacked Powder |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes, Light Traction |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
we followed the driveway up past the house and continued straight onto a previously mowed down path heading straight up the hill (yellow rope strung across it). at the first major fork in the road bare left then just continue up the road which eventually turns into an unmarked trail that leads to the col between mary and middle pilot then on to the summit of mary. no more than a couple of inches of snow along the road with ice underneath at times. a bit more snow heading up to mary with a crusty base. we doubled back to the col then took a line towards middle pilot hitting mostly open woods up to the summit. up to a few inches of snow over crust. more good woods off the top and on to west pilot. from west we took aim for the col with hutchins getting off just a bit west before correcting back up onto the ridge. good woods to the col then a mix of open and scrappy woods up towards hutchins. based on previous experience we knew that places along the ridge were thicker and laden with blowdown so hung to the northeast side of the ridge, particularly into the final climb up to the summit cutting up just short of the highpoint. this kept us in more good woods and bypassed one cliffy scramble along the ridgeline. having hit mostly good lines on the hike across we doubled back in our tracks taking the extra elevation going back over the summits in exchange for the good woods.
over the course of the day footwear consisted of bareboots, snowshoes and microspikes. this hike could certainly be booted or done with light traction right now given the lack of snow, but i still liked the traction of the snowshoes on the hard crust.
great day for these peaks. nice blue skies and good temps. lots of moose sign on the level plateau just before the final climb up hutchins. some good views north from near the summit and to the south about 50 yards from the highpoint. having hiked these peaks from the mill brook side in the past it was nice to try this route which allowed easier access to the ridge (especially this time of year). thanks to the local landowners for graciously allowing hiker access. another nice day out with jeremy and amy.
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 | Name: |
bryan |
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 | E-Mail: |
bryancuddihee@yahoo.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2014-01-18 |
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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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