NewEnglandTrailConditions.com
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Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks Brown Mountain, Church Mountain, Grafton Knob, Crane Mountain, Orange Mountain, Rimrock, Mt. Cardigan (South Peak), Mt. Cardigan, PJ Ledge, NH
Trails
Trails: Knowles Hill Road, Church Hill Road, Skyland Trail, South Ridge Trail, Ranger-Cabin Trail, Clark Trail, Woodland Trail
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Thursday, April 28, 2016
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: Parked roadside at Alexandria Four Corners. It's a little funky but it's legit. Follow the AMC Southern NH Guide (Skyland Trail) for directions. 
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Dry Trail, Ice - Black, Wet Trail, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Mud - Significant, Leaves - Significant/Slippery 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment:  
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: No problems. 
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes: Most trails in good shape. Woodland Trail is a disaster, especially near the beaver pond. Very muddy and swampy, in better shape higher up. An extremely lightly traveled trail. It looked abandoned in places. 
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes: Sure. 
Bugs
Bugs: Only a few. 
Lost and Found
Lost and Found: Nothing. 
 
Comments
Comments: Inspired by a report here the other day, I decided to try the same loop, never having been on Woodland. But it was such a nice day I decided to extend the loop and press on to Cardigan.

Skyland is a wonderful and quiet approach. It was mostly dry until Crane, where bits of black ice started appearing. All avoidable. In general, there are patches of snow in shady areas and in the cols between the peaks, nothing that requires traction and I imagine it will be gone soon. Some darker north-facing areas may take a little to melt out. I carried spikes but did not use them.

Woodland is a mess between Clark and Skyland. By the beaver pond, the trail is swampy and is marked with flagging. Beyond that, there is newer blazing and the trail improves somewhat, although still obscure in places.

Minor icy areas on some shady ledges, but ledges in the sun are dry. Great views on this approach, improving as you get closer to Cardigan. Chilly and windy at the tower, I didn't stay too long.

Saw three people at the tower and that was it. If you want solitude in this often crowded area, this is a good route!  
Name
Name: KenM 
E-Mail
E-Mail: kmacgray@gmail.com 
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2016-04-28 
Link
Link: https:// 
Bookmark and Share 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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