| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Klem, Rand Mountain, West Quarry Mountain, East Quarry Mountain, North Straightback Mountain, Straightback Mountain, Mt. Major, Mt. Anna, Mt. Mack, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Round Pond Trail, Klem-Mack Loop, Dave Roberts Quarry Trail, Quarry Spur, Blue Trail, Red Trail, Piper-Round Pond Link, Boulder Trail, East Gilford Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, May 5, 2018 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Parked at main Gunstock lot, which is a huge lot designed for hundreds of cars. No issues. Maybe 30 cars in the lot. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Water lower than last week and easily rock-hoppable now. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
A couple of minor blowdowns from the overnight wind on Piper-Round Pond Link. One near the junction of Round Pond Trail. Should have brought my saw.
Big ugly pine blowdown with lots of branches near the eastern end of Quarry Trail before the Spur junction at the top of a ledge scramble. A few other blowdowns here and there, but it was a long trek, and I lost track of what was where. Nothing too hard to get around. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
The Belknaps are mostly easy on dogs, and saw several of all sizes out and about. One funny dog moment as a trail runner with a dog met a pair of hikers coming the other way with their 5 month old pup. As he approached, they call out, "Is your dog friendly?" He say, "Not really!" Much tugging of leashes followed until they got by each other. :) |
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 | Bugs: |
Black flies were out in force. Noticed one small mosquito. Picked up 6 wood ticks. Nasty. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
Views north were all the way to the Presis. Exceptionally clear air. I saw or heard turkeys, deer, and squirrels, squirrels, squirrels. Recorded a songbird and a woodpecker.
The more I hike the Belknaps, the more I enjoy them. A different sort of reward than hiking the Whites. Lower elevation hills with mostly wooded peaks, but ridgeline trails over open ledges offers vistas filled with lakes and ponds. Easy to push hard or hold back in the Belknaps. Possible to construct a variety of loops with any level of difficulty you seek. Have the day you want to have. Ledgy scrambles if you want them...for example, Boulder Trail is a fun way to ascent Belknap Mt. Or just mellow rambles. I wish camping was an option especially near Round Pond, but I suspect the Belknaps might be overrun if it was.
While the monorail rots in the Whites, you could to far worse than the Belknaps. Although...the Squam Range is open now that mud season has past. I think I'll head up there next. |
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 | Name: |
ecbanks |
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 | E-Mail: |
020655@gmail.com |
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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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