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Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks Black Snoot, Mt. Shaw, NH
Trails
Trails: Lower Bridle Path, Faraway Mountain Trail, Upper Bridle Path, Oak Ridge Cutoff, High Ridge Trail, Black Snout Trail
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Sunday, April 6, 2014
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: Mine was the only car in the upper Castle lot when I started @ 8:30. When I left @ 2:30 there were maybe a dozen vehicles with room for a couple more. 
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular, Snow - Wet/Sticky 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment: Snowshoes 
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: No issues. 
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes: There are many blowdowns on these trails. When the snow and ice melts most can be tossed aside but there are some larger ones which will require a more strenuous removal technique: I counted one of these on the Lower Bridle Path, one on the Oak Ridge Cutoff and three on the High Ridge Trail. 
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes: I saw two on the Mount Shaw summit - they seemed to be enjoying the day. 
Bugs
Bugs: None. 
Lost and Found
Lost and Found: There's a pair of green ski poles at the corner of the fence near the main kiosk. 
 
Comments
Comments: It appears these trails - except for the snowmobile portion of the High Ridge Trail which is now closed - have not seen much human activity lately. In the morning the trails were nearly frozen so I gave the Microspikes a try but after dipping some heels and toes every few steps I put on the snowshoes and left them on all day. They were most helpful in the afternoon when the snow softened up but I still sank to the knees a couple of times.

Views north from Mount Shaw's summit were stunning. Other than two women and their dogs arriving there as I was leaving I didn't see anyone else on these trails all day. What a fantastic day!  
Name
Name: HMJ 
E-Mail
E-Mail:  
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2014-04-06 
Link
Link: https:// 
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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