| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Unnamed Peak (Merrimack High Point), NH |
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 | Trails: |
School Loop, Ridge Trail, unnamed trail, logging roads, Gateway Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Tuesday, April 24, 2018 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Large parking area and kiosk behind Merrimack Middle School at the end of Madeline Bennett Lane. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
One open stone culvert crossing. I went around to the right where it was narrower. |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
No issues. |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Seems to be a popular spot. You are requested to also clean up after them. |
|
 | Bugs: |
Yes. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
Nothing. |
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|
 | Comments: |
I used the Hockeypucks description for this one to reach the Merrimack high point (512'), but still found it a little confusing.
I goofed right away and got on the obvious School Loop Trail instead of walking straight ahead toward the soccer field and turning left onto the unsigned Gateway Trail. Anyway, I kept following School Loop around in a loop (heh) which led me to the junction of Gateway and Ridge Trails. I went a very short distance on Ridge and where it turns left continued straight, crossing a culvert and reached the "end" of that trail at some boulders which have been placed to block ATVs. The footpath continues to the left however, and turns into a logging road. I followed this up to a four-way junction (stay straight) and then to a height-of-land at the top of a large clearcut area. Descending down the other side slightly, I turned right onto another logging road, which I followed up the height-of-land near the summit. From here I walked a few yards left and immediately hit yet another logging road which took me to the high point, which is recognized with a cairn and register. The pages have been mashed in the jar and are hard to get out.
Even though this hill has been logged extensively, it has a very remote feel. If it were completely bare, the views would be panoramic. In retrospect, it would be much shorter to bushwhack straight up in a beeline from the aforementioned anti-ATV boulders. The trailed route gets you there, but it's kind of roundabout.
There is a maze of trails out here and the area seems to be popular with mountain bikers:
http://www.merrimackoutdoors.org/application/files/4114/7759/3615/GraterWoodsTrails.pdf |
|
 | Name: |
KenM |
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 | E-Mail: |
kmacgray@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2018-04-24 |
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 | Link: |
 https://http://trevstripreports.blogspot.com/2014/11/merrimack-nh-highpoint-unnamed-512-ft.html |
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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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