| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Big Ball Mountain, Black Snoot, Mt. Shaw, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Mt. Shaw Trail, Tate Mountain Trail, Banana Trail, Black Snout Spur Trail, Black Snout Trail, High Ridge Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Sunday, May 3, 2015 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Mine was the first one in the parking area opposite Sodom Road @ 8:00. When I returned about 1:30 the lot was full with 8 vehicles and another 6 on the side of the road. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, 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: |
Ascending the Mount Shaw Trail: the first has a one-log bridge and on the second you might get your soles wet, so no issues. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
As noted in the report a few down from mine these trails on the LRCT property are littered with blowdowns. I tossed aside and lugged off a few along the way but Old Man Winter definitely left his mark here. The obstructions are the worst on the Banana Trail above Big Ball Mountain. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Saw three. |
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 | Bugs: |
There were some flies buzzing around the Black Snout summit. I was able to doze off for a bit so they were probably more interested in the many piles of moose skat than me. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
Nada. |
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 | Comments: |
As noted a few posts down there's a lot to pay attention to on these trails - blowdowns and otherwise. Blazes on the Tate Mountain Trail and Mount Shaw trail may be difficult to see at times due their being red/green and red respectively. The Banana Trail's blazes (blue...not yellow...go figure) seemed to show up a little better. Unlike the the trails which originate within the Castle in the Clouds property these trails are not signed at all - except for one at the Tate/Banana junction pointing to Route 171 on descent - so a good map and/or good knowledge are very helpful here IMO.
Although there are patches of slushy snow and melting ice on these sections of the Black Snout and High Ridge trails they are small and are easily bare booted or avoided. Not knowing what to expect I did bring Microspikes but they stayed in the rucksack.
I was surprised when another hiker happened upon me while taking some pics near the Big Ball summit. Other than a few folks in between Black Snout and Mount Shaw I didn't see anyone else on these trails today - and I was fortunate to have the summits to myself. In all it was a good hike - albeit somewhat wild.
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 | Name: |
HMJ |
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 | E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2015-05-03 |
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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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