| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
South Moat Mountain, Middle Moat Mountain, North Moat Mountain, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Moat Mountain Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Sunday, May 20, 2018 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Southern trailhead is signed from Passaconaway Road, and there's clear signage to tell hikers not to take the obvious logging road. Northern trailhead is that of Diana's Baths, which is well-signed and large. Rangers at the Diana's Baths trailhead are actively ticketing people who don't pay the $5 fee (including, curiously, one of the hikers in my group who had displayed a National Parks pass). |
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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: |
The only crossing, of Lucy Brook near the end, was easily rock-hoppable. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
A few blowdowns in the col between Middle Moat and Red Ridge Peak, but nothing that impeded progress. Trail was well-blazed except for the final stretch along Lucy Brook after the Attitash Trail junction, but that was still easily followed without blazes. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Saw a few. Some of the scrambles between Red Ridge Peak and North Moat might be difficult for dogs. |
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 | Bugs: |
They're out! First hike of the year where they were an annoyance. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
Nada. |
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 | Comments: |
Did the Moats traverse from south to north. The trail started off mellow, but then climbed moderately up to South Moat. All over South and Middle Moat, we were in a cloud and so had no views. However, the forecast that I checked the night before was correct - it did not rain. By the time we got to Red Ridge Peak, the sun was out and it stayed out for pretty much the rest of the hike. Lots of minor ups and downs along the ridge - probably at least eight distinct knobs or peaks along it. The only serious rock scrambling was between Red Ridge Peak and North Moat. I am glad that I decided to hike the trail from south to north - the descent off of North Moat down to the Attitash Trail junction was relentless, steep, and mostly over rock slabs (some of which were wet) - I'm glad we didn't have to go up that. By contrast, the 2.4 miles at the end was a breeze - mostly flat and fairly smooth, we made good time on that stretch. Diana's Baths was beautiful as usual - plenty of tourists there.
Also notable - no ice or snow anywhere for the entire hike! First hike of the year where I can say that. |
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 | Name: |
GN |
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 | E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2018-05-20 |
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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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