| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Hedgehog Mountain, NH |
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 | Trails: |
UNH Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, May 5, 2018 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Downes Brook-UNH-Mt. Potash Trailhead in fine condition. The lot was almost full on arrival/departure. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Ice - Breakable Crust, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Multiple brook crossings, easily doable. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
A fair amount of blowdowns throughout entire loop. All of them easy to get over/around except one where I took my pack off and shimmied underneath. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Passed a few dogs and they should be fine. |
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 | Bugs: |
Some bugs around but they did not bother, although yesterday was fairly breezy which most likely helped keep them away. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
I'm sure everyone got out yesterday, as it was the perfect day for hiking. I have been wanting to do this hike for a while now, so I finally sought it out. It is considered very rewarding for moderate effort. A great "bang for your buck" kind of hike, and included in the 52 With A View hiking list. I completed the hike in the clockwise direction, which is how the WM Trail Guide describes it. The eastern ledges are spectacular. Around the summit there are views in all directions, you just need to poke around through the trees to find the little openings to get them. The Presidential's were playing hike and seek yesterday, but all other mountains were visible. The weather was perfect, 60s during the hike with fairly strong winds, however you are fairly protected on this mountain. I brought microspikes but never took them out. There are a few areas of remaining ice/monorail conditions but they are manageable to get around/step around. Actually, the most significant section was in the very beginning of the hike where it is shaded and enclosed by the trees. On the southern edge of the parking lot follow the sign left for UNH Trail - UNH Loop Jct. At the next intersection take a right (straight follows the XC Ski Trail) to continue to Loop Jct. The XC Ski Trail will cross back over but ignore it and stay straight. You will cross through a brief logged section and finally at 0.8 from parking lot the actual UNH Trail Loop will split. Again, I went left here (clockwise) to the East Ledges first and then on to the summit. I hope this helps as right as I was getting back to the parking lot I helped explain this to two different hiking parties who were unsure. |
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 | Name: |
Matthew Kuncik |
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 | E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2018-05-06 |
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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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