| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Cow Cave, Beede Falls, Mt. Israel, NH |
|
 | Trails: |
Bearcamp River Trail, Sandwich Notch Road, Guinea Pond Trail, Mead Trail, herd path, Wentworth Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, December 19, 2015 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Plenty of parking at the Mead Conservation Center in Sandwich. I assumed Sandwich Notch Road was closed for the winter, but as I was walking the road, someone was driving out? |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Ice - Black, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Mud - Significant, Leaves - Significant/Slippery |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Light Traction |
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
GPT lives up to its reputation as a waterlogged trail. The relocation gets around the worst of it, but there is one small but deep flooded area that requires getting your boots wet. MT has many, many small crossings, easily stepped over. The largest one crosses some ledgy cascades that are coated in slippery moss. Fortunately, there is a blowdown right there as well to hold on to. I wanted to visit Guinea Pond, but the crossing along the GPT just past the MT junction was high, deep and moving quickly. I didn't do it. |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
GPT is in mostly good shape, being an old railroad bed. The only issues are the aforementioned wet areas. MT is a complete mess in its lower and middle sections. Lots of blowdowns and running water on the trail. It's clear this trail sees infrequent travel and maintenance. The upper section was much better. No problems on BRT or WT. |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Sure. Lots of water right now for them. |
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 | Bugs: |
Nope. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
Nothing. |
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|
 | Comments: |
This was mainly an attempt to try and find the abandoned Fire Warden's Trail, mentioned earlier by BeccaHiker, but to also do a big loop over the backside of the mountain, which was new terrain for me.
From Mead Base, I took the BRT past Cow Cave and Beede Falls to SNR. I walked the road and took a short unnamed trail to a small cemetery. Very cool to find this. Beyond the cemetery, a clear herd path continued. Anyone know where that goes?
GPT was flat and unexciting, but interesting from a railroad history point of view. The damage done by the beavers is both impressive and sad. MT was an easy approach to the summit, with moderate grades the whole way.
At the summit, I spent a little over an hour bushwhacking around the ledges looking for the abandoned trail, but no luck. I had the old trail description and 1931 topo map so I had an idea of where to start, but it's apparently very well-hidden. I'll be back for another look. The sun was out as I arrived on the summit, making for great views over to the Sandwich and Ossipee Ranges. A heavy snow shower then blew through, pretty much taking care of the views, then the sun was out again. Windy on the summit, but not overly cold.
The descent down WT was a bit slow due to lots of leaves. Where is that snow? Very little ice on the trails and ledges. No traction needed at the moment (I would still carry it anyway). |
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 | Name: |
KenM |
|
 | E-Mail: |
kmacgray@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2015-12-19 |
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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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