| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Anna, West Quarry Mountain, Rand Mountain, East Quarry Mountain, North Straightback, Straightback Mountain, Goat Pasture Hill, Mt. Shannon, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Old Stage Road, logging road, Anna-Goat Pasture Trail, Belknap Range Trail, Marsh Crossing Trail, Dave Roberts Quarry Trail, North Straightback Link, Brook Trail, Quarry Spur, Precipice Path, Red Trail, Yellow Trail, Blue Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, July 8, 2017 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
I was first car to park at the end of Alton Mountain Road. You can keep driving where the road narrows and in a short distance you will reach the Old Stage Road and there is room for a couple dozen cars. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Mud - Minor/Avoidable |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Rock hop-able |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Only blow down was near the top of Precipice (east) was easy to walk around but it should be removed |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
why not |
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 | Bugs: |
Oh my goodness the bugs and deer flies were horrible down low near the lakes and swampy areas!! Hungry creatures |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
I started the day a bit fast and didn't even notice I missed the UNmarked turn right after the Beaver Pond/flooded section of Old Stage Road (OSR) until I saw the water of Hills Pond (this logging road is on the older version of the map) was an okay adventure got spooked by an angry grouse and some guys running with half a dozen dogs wearing bells. I build a small rock cairn to mark the turn and then the road has a couple of roads turning right but you need to stay on the OSR you will pass through a small gravel pit torn up by ATVs, until you come to the trail sign. I went up Anna-Goat, stopped by the Carbonneau Cave. First person I ran into was Bryan between Anna and Marsh Crossing, surprise! Went to W. Quarry and then to Rand and then back to W.Quarry and then before I made it to E.Quarry, I met a guy running towards me. Checked out the cave below E.Quarry and there is a good view ledge there just off the trail. Descended North Straighback Link, very steep, to Brook Trail. Going up Brook I passed a party of five. I decided against visiting Major so I headed up the Quarry Spur where I ran into Bryan again. I went back up to North SB and hten headed to S.SB on DRQT and BRT turned back on BRT to Precipice East and got off the mountain as fast as I could the sky went dark quick and thunder and lightning boomed and hard rain fell (it felt good). By the time I got back to the OSR, the sky was turning blue and I was soaked. I decided to go up to Goat Pasture Hill. Then on top I decided to do one more thing and headed down the other side. I went all the way to the Hidden Valley Camp (nobody was there, cool camp). Mount Shannon has nice views. At swampy area where the Blue Trail leaves the the Blue/Yellow Trail there was a big Mud Poke nest and momma was feeding her giant babies make all kinds of squawking. I went back up and over Goat Pasture Hill and back up the Old Stage Road. Lovely day in the woods (17 miles) I celebrated with a brew at the Funspot Tavern. |
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 | Name: |
Nordic Gal |
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 | E-Mail: |
amybike@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2017-07-09 |
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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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