Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
| Peaks |
Black Snoot, Mt. Shaw, NH |
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| Trails: |
Lower Bridle Path, Faraway Mountain Trail, Upper Bridle Path, Oak Ridge Cutoff, High Ridge Trail, Black Snout Trail |
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| Date of Hike: |
Sunday, April 6, 2014 |
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| 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. |
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| Surface Conditions: |
Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular, Snow - Wet/Sticky |
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| Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes |
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| Water Crossing Notes: |
No issues. |
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| 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. |
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| Dog-Related Notes: |
I saw two on the Mount Shaw summit - they seemed to be enjoying the day. |
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| Bugs: |
None. |
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| Lost and Found: |
There's a pair of green ski poles at the corner of the fence near the main kiosk. |
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| 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! |
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| Name: |
HMJ |
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| E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2014-04-06 |
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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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