| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
West Quarry Mountain, Straightback Mountain, Mt. Major, North Straightback Mountain, East Quarry Mountain, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Reed Road, logging roads, Old Clough Road, Dave Roberts Quarry Trail, Marsh Crossing Trail, Belknap Range Trail, Quarry Spur Trail, Reed Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Friday, December 9, 2016 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Parked at the SPNHF Quarry Mountain Forest lot on Reed Road. There is also room for two tightly parked cars just up the road at the gate. But parking at the lot is easier and it's a short walk to the gate. It's unknown at this time whether these parking areas will be plowed and accessible in winter. Right now there is snow on the road, but it's easily drivable. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Snow - Unpacked Powder |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Light Traction |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Just one along MCT at the beaver pond, crossed on rocks. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Trails in good shape, the BRATTs do a terrific job. MCT was a little brushy near the beaver pond. The BRT between Straightback and Major could use some minor blaze refreshing in spots. There are a few areas that may be confusing in deep, unbroken snow. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Sure. |
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 | Bugs: |
Nope. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
Found a blaze orange cap on Reed Road. I have it with me for anyone who may have lost it. |
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 | Comments: |
A nice day in the Belknaps checking out the new trail from Reed Road, as well as the Marsh Crossing Trail down from West Quarry. I guess you could say I'm keeping up to date on my redlines. ;)
Just after the gate on Reed Road, I took a logging road right, then another (right) at a fork. This brought me over to Old Clough Road so I could make a loop. I was originally only going as far as South Straightback, but continued on to Major, where the wind was ripping across the summit.
The new, still-to-be-named trail down to Reed Road (temporarily called Reed Trail for now I guess) is a wide and easy route. It utilizes logging roads part of the way, with numerous switchbacks in its middle section. This would be an excellent trail for snowshoeing or backcountry skiing, depending on what happens with winter access to the parking area.
There are a few inches of snow on average in the Range. I wore spikes all day, but more sure-footed hikers could probably bareboot it. Snowshoes not needed yet, although I did see some tracks on Major. No significant ice encountered.
Nice to meet Steve and friend on the trails, thank you for all you do out there! |
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 | Name: |
KenM |
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 | E-Mail: |
kmacgray@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2016-12-09 |
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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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