| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Carter Ledge, Middle Sister, Mt. Chocorua, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Piper Trail, Nickerson Ledge Trail, Carter Ledge Trail, Middle Sister Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Sunday, May 18, 2014 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Large gravel lot with outhouse and a few picnic tables. Access road off Rte 16 is very narrow with little space for two cars to pass. I was first one in at 6:30AM. Lot was about 3/4 full when I left. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Snow/Ice - Small Patches |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Numerous water crossings on Piper Trail all with bridges except one very small easy brook. Other minor crossings very easy. There was one flooded section on Carter Ledge Trail after second set of ledges about 50-75' long (2' or so deep). If you follow rocks to left to ledge area and circle back right there is a barely perceptible path that brings you back to trail just after flooded area. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Trails blazes are few and far between (and quite faded)in the wooded sections. Generally no issues but there are numerous side paths in areas which can be slightly confusing. The ledges on Carter Ledge Trail and Piper Trail have more faded blazes which were easy to miss. People were wandering all over the summit cone this afternoon just about everywhere but the official trail. There are numerous blowdowns of varying sizes on all the trails, most easily negotiated. There is one large blowdown blocking about 30-40' of trail on Carter Ledge Trail shortly after Nickerson Ledge Trail junction (N43 57.450, W71 15.019) that is going to involve tools and time to clear. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Piper Trail seemed OK for dogs (saw several) but there are steep areas and ledges to deal with. Carter Ledge an Nickerson Ledge trails had far more ledges, most more difficult. I wouldn't bring a dog there. |
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 | Bugs: |
Occasional gnat,mosquito and some flies along Sisters. When I got back to lot there were quite a few gnats and mosquitos who weren't swarming and biting just yet but mobilizing for the coming Spring Attack. Won't be long. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
Saw a white jogging warm up coat or similar garment hanging on a tree just before Weetamoo Trail junction. Looked like it may have been a marker of some sort so I left. |
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 | Comments: |
Surprised trails were as dry as they were. The Piper Trail had a brief muddy area shortly after leaving the parking lot and the section from Champney Falls trail junction to the ledges starting the cone was pretty muddy with some standing water. The summit cone was bone dry. The ledges in the woods on Carter Ledge Trail had some water (including flooded area noted above)but most of the bigger ones were dry. The "tricky side hill ledge" mentioned in AMC Guide on Carter Ledge Trail is indeed tricky and was a little wet in places. If you don't like heights or are uncomfortable on ledges I'd suggest skipping this trail. Several people I talked to mentioned there is still a lot of ice and/or old monorail left in places on Champney Falls Trail, enough to want traction. Apparently the river crossing toward beginning of trail is still pretty difficult too. FYI. |
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 | Name: |
DayTrip |
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 | E-Mail: |
bblanchette0709@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2014-05-18 |
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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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