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Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks North Moat Mountain, NH
Trails
Trails: Moat Mountain Trail, Red Ridge Trail
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Saturday, May 14, 2016
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: Plenty at the West Side Road lot. 
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Mud - Significant 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment:  
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: No issues. I used a stick I found to help me along a rotted limb crossing Lucy Brook both times. 
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes: There's a double blowdown between the lot and Diana's Baths on the Moat Mountain Trail: the first part is a scrubby limb covering most of the trail (easy walk around) and the second part is a high sit-n-spin. Otherwise these trails are in excellent shape. Some blazes on the Red Ridge Trail appear to be orange in addition to the mostly yellow ones. 
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes: I saw two: one at the summit and one which passed me with its owners on my way out. They reported their dog needed help in a couple of spots but this was its first big hike and otherwise did well. 
Bugs
Bugs: There was just enough breeze to keep the black flies away most of the day. A couple of times when I wasn't moving and the breeze died down they were annoying and occasionally biting. 
Lost and Found
Lost and Found: Nothing. 
 
Comments
Comments: For this trek I did the loop clockwise taking the Red Ridge Trail up. Old Man Winter has released his grip on this route as all trails are ice free, though a stretch of the Moat Mountain Trail north of the summit is quite wet on the rocks and slabs so care is needed. The lower portion of the Red Ridge Trail is wet and/or very muddy in many spots so don't expect to keep your footwear clean and dry.

Needless to say today was a beautiful day for this trek. Going up the Red Ridge Trail is the gift which keeps on giving and of course the summit of North Moat is spectacular. I spent an hour or so at the top and saw maybe a dozen or so folks during my stay there - I was surprised there weren't more. On my way back to the lot many people were out for an afternoon stroll toward Diana's Baths. This hike took me a long time to complete - only because I kept stopping at various outlooks to enjoy the views and taking a large number pictures throughout the day.  
Name
Name: HMJ 
E-Mail
E-Mail:  
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2016-05-14 
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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