Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Wonalancet Hedgehog, Hibbard Mountain, Mt. Wonalancet, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Old Mast Road, Kelley Trail, Lawrence Trail, Walden Trail, Wonalancet Range Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, June 30, 2018 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
All regular parking spots at Ferncroft we're taken at 8am. I parked near the kiosk along the access road. When I returned in the afternoon, cars were parked up and down the main road. Overcrowding is becoming a real problem here and this is how we lose access through private property. :( |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
No issues. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
OMR: There was one blowdown that was half cleared. I finished the job. KT: Needs brushing below the wilderness boundary. LT: No issues. WT: Erosion on the steeps is compromising the rock steps which were installed to mitigate said erosion. WRT: A few large blowdowns below the wilderness boundary. One is right near the start of the trail, which requires hikers to cut the corner at a switchback. A pair of large blowdowns descending off Wonalancet require a limbo or a bushwhack. I removed a few minor blowdowns at various spots along this loop. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Saw two. Not much water once you get past Kelley Trail, so pack enough for them. |
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 | Bugs: |
Not too bad. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
Nothing. |
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 | Comments: |
A mix of dry and wet trails overall. Kelley was slippery in the gorge with lots of wet, mossy boulders. So beautiful in here though, one of the best trails in the Whites. It also helped that it was about ten degrees cooler.
The very steep grind up Walden is pretty relentless, I hadn't done it in a few years.
Excellent views south from the view spur on Wonalancet Hedgehog. Use caution at the end of the path, as it drops off suddenly and the ledge seems to be always wet here.
The summit of Hibbard continues to grow in, hardly anything left for views on this 52WAV peak now. The southern viewpoint is still nice though. From the boulder there, I followed the old route of the trail which simply loops around and connects to the present route.
Crossing Wonalancet, I stepped a few feet off trail to the high point. The very steep drop off the east side of the mountain was also more gnarly that I remember. It wouldn't be the Sandwich Range without steep and rugged!
All in all, a great, but hot day. Most of this trip was in the woods which helped. It's been a while since I wandered around in here and it felt like home. :) |
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 | Name: |
KenM |
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 | E-Mail: |
kmacgray@gmail.com |
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 | Date Submitted: |
2018-06-30 |
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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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