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Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks Welton Falls, NH
Trails
Trails: Lower Manning Trail, Old Dicey Road, Back 80 Loop, Back 80 Trail
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Sunday, November 26, 2017
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: A mostly empty parking lot at Cardigan Lodge all morning. 
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Snow - Trace/Minimal Depth, Wet Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Mud - Significant 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment:  
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: Both crossings of Fowler River took a little planning. The second one, closer to the falls, is a little trickier with fewer rocks to step on. I went upstream a bit. The first crossing on Back 80 Loop is a ledge hop, but use caution as the ledges are mossy. 
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes: One large blowdown on Lower Manning. Back 80 Loop has some severe erosion, and Lower Manning has a few eroded areas. 
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes: Sure. 
Bugs
Bugs: Nope. 
Lost and Found
Lost and Found: Nothing. 
 
Comments
Comments: A little lowland wandering around Mt. Cardigan today, including a visit to the falls which I hadn't been to before, as well as a hike along Lower Manning, which I hadn't been on.

All trails on this loop were a mix of wet ground, mud, minor ice and just a trace of snow. Back 80 Trail was the wettest and muddiest. Lower Manning is a gem, just a great trail as it follows Fowler River down to the falls. The falls were flowing strong and this is a really beautiful spot! Use caution while walking along the edge of the falls, as there are a few icy spots. Sections of the cable railing are also broken.

Interesting signage near the northern end of Lower Manning warning of a "copperhead den". As in the snake?

Old Dicey Road isn't the most exciting walking, but it does offer the ability to do loops like this. I saw one hunter parked along the road. New signage at the junction of Old Dicey and Back 80 Loop helps with this formerly confusing spot.

Back 80 Loop and Back 80 were their usual old road selves. I saw no one else all day, which is part of why I love the lesser trails in this area. :)  
Name
Name: KenM 
E-Mail
E-Mail: kmacgray@gmail.com 
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2017-11-26 
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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