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Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks Mt. Parker, Mt. Resolution, Cave Mountain, NH
Trails
Trails: Mt. Langdon Trail, Mt. Parker Trail, Cave Mountain Trail, spur path
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Sunday, November 8, 2015
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: Modest parking area had only my car today. There is extensive stream work going on at the bridge near the parking area; with a stop light system in operation. 
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Snow - Trace/Minimal Depth, Leaves - Significant/Slippery 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment:  
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: No significant crossings 
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes: Official trail intersections all signed, but the one to Cave Mtn would be hard to notice by someone going south for the first time. It is not a typical trail sign and it is attached up on a tree. There are a couple of arrow trail signs on Langdon down low where other paths/old roads inter sect but these could be missed. There are sparse occasional remnant blazes on Parker and Resolution; too few to rely on. Before the leaf drop one could easily follow the footpath but the leaves have hidden it for most of Langdon. Nevertheless, the trail corridor is obvious to anyone who has done much hiking. Cave's trail at the end may not be so obvious but it is so loose and leafy any route to the top is as good as another. On the Resolution ledges one might keep an eye on where they left the brush for the return trip, since there are several herdpaths and the actual trail seems a bit hidden. Parts of Parker are brushy. There are scattered blowdowns mostly on Parker as well, some have been there for some time. I couldn't see most of the waterbars due to the leaves. 
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes: Pretty easy trails for Pepper. The leaves didn't bother him. In warmer weather the lack of water for drinking, let alone sip n dips would be an issue, but not today. We saw three local dogs on Cave Mtn. having fun. 
Bugs
Bugs:  
Lost and Found
Lost and Found:  
 
Comments
Comments: This is a nice section of trails under most conditions but today they weren't at their best for hiking. The section of Langdon where it leaves the brook/hemlock grove and climbs to the summit, and the climb to Parker, were buried under oak leaves, or in one place beech leaves. They were wet from a light snowfall overnight, they soaked my boots, they hid any trail rocks/roots/stones, they were not packed down and they were amazingly slippery especially on a descent. I fell on my back once, but was saved from at least a dozen other falls or slide slope plunges by my poles, even though I slowed down and took care. It was like hiking on ice in places. Cave Mtn's steep section was buried in beech leaves; which covered the always loose and tricky "footpath", but they were dry when we got there, and two local teens and their 3 dogs had roughed it up, so it was mostly just the usual tricky descent on steep loose material. I thought about butt sliding, but back climbed the worst part of it. The trailbed from Parker to Resolution, however, was good for fast and easy hiking. There was just a few ice spots on the Resolution ledges which can be slippery, but they were fine today. We met just one other hiker, Rick D. who had hiked up Davis Path and was going to South Resolution. Thanks to him we finally looked for and found the herd path to it and the views were good, and not as windy as the main peak's. Thanks Rick.

Afterwards we drove to the Highland Center to greet the latest Grid Finisher, Dan McGinness. Congrats Dan. Given how strong the winds were on Parker and Resolution today, it was quite an achievement for Dan and others to do Jackson through Eisenhower. Yesterday we hiked in a T shirt; not today.

I committed a terrible sin, leaving Pepper's trail treats at home for the first time ever. We shared mine and some car treats I found, but he loves his so; I felt terrible. He never complained. Thanks Pepper for your friendship and forgiveness; you are the best.  
Name
Name: Pepper and Me 
E-Mail
E-Mail:  
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2015-11-08 
Link
Link: https:// 
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