| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
None, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Dry River Trail, Mt. Eisenhower Trail, Dry River Cutoff, Mt. Clinton Trail, Webster Cliff Trail, Mizpah Cutoff |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Friday, October 10, 2014 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Started at Dry River Shelter #3, ended at my car (still there!) on Rt. 302. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Mud - Significant, Leaves - Significant/Slippery |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
All easy hops. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Dry River Cutoff was in decent shape until the swampy section before the Mt. Clinton Trail junction, some stepovers and duckunders, though the swampy area isn't a show stopper. Upper Mt. Clinton and Mizpah Cutoff were in good shape. Mt. Clinton Trail below the junction with Dry River Cutoff was a crapshoot. An initial decent section was followed by much erosion, mud, and significant signs of neglect. We lost the trail at several points, though found it again after much colorful language. The flagging in place is a joke (except at the crossings), the trail was made more difficult to follow with the freshly downed leaves from the prior days wind and rain. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Saw my friend Jake with his dog Harvey, out exploring! |
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 | Bugs: |
None. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
Some of my sanity thanks to Mt. Clinton Trail. |
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|
 | Comments: |
Day 4 of a 4 day Dry River backpack. What was supposed to be an easier exit day, turned out to be the opposite. We had good going up to Mizpah Hut, before heading down Mizpah Cutoff (because Mike may have needed to do it). Down Mt. Clinton Trail was a chore, not only finding the trail in spots, but dealing with the eroded, muddy, vegetation/blowdown choked path. This trail needs major rehab, and I feel that it is dangerous in its current condition. Dry River Trail out was in good (still muddy) shape. A great four day backpack, with trials on both ends! |
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 | Name: |
Bill Robichaud |
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 | E-Mail: |
bill.robichaud@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2014-10-11 |
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 | Link: |
 https://onapathwithheart.blogspot.com/ |
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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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