| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Whaleback Mountain, Whaleback Mountain - South Peak, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Old Osseo Trail, bushwhack |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Sunday, June 29, 2014 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Parked in visitor lot at Clearbrook condos (six V spots immediately east of the trailhead, which is between some boulders). |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Mud - Significant |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Clear Brook crossings were a bit tricky and required stepping on submerged rocks or walking on logs high above the water. Tributary crossings were rock hops. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Trail is technically abandoned, but is in better shape than most open trails in WMNF wilderness areas. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
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 | Bugs: |
Mosquitoes were out below 3,000 feet, but not terrible if moving. Occasional deer fly as well. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
Fun to finally do the lower portion of this trail after having it on my to do list for years. The lower portion of the trail on the way to Whaleback features some extended areas of good footing, while the steeps are indeed quite steep (not technical/scrambly, but relentless). Also noted a well used red blazed trail crossing the main trail around 1,400 feet in elevation...no idea where it goes.
Directional viewpoints on either side of the unmarked highpoint of Whaleback...the one looking at Moosilauke/Kinsmans/Liberty was quite nice. Also some views from the trail below the summit, as well as just off the trail via a short bushwhack to one of the slides.
I didn't feel like going to Flume after having been there not too long ago, so I didn't go beyond Whaleback. The Old Osseo Trail continues north, but appeared to be a little bit less used. Reports are that it can be followed all the way to the present day Osseo Trail.
For South Whaleback, I hopped into the woods just above the hairpin turn on the big switchback, passing over the false summit (displayed on some hiking maps) and eventually over to the southern bump that apparently is the highpoint (southern end of the southern bump).
Brought a pencil over from the false summit per CRC's note, but discovered the logbook on the highpoint was saturated and moldy.
Woods were scrappy in places and open in others. I moved around the ridge in both directions, hoping to hit a magical line that would cut me up the least whilst wearing shorts, but none lasted too long. Also noted some very old brushing cuts in places, suggesting someone may have tried to create a path over the south bumps many many moons ago. |
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 | Name: |
rocket21 |
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 | E-Mail: |
rocket21@franklinwebpublishing.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2014-06-29 |
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 | Link: |
 https://www.franklinsites.com/hikephotos |
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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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