| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Hayes, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Centennial Trail, Mahoosuc Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Wednesday, May 15, 2019 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Parked at junction of North rd and Hogan rd. However, dirt Hogan Rd is passable by any vehicle to parking area at Centennial Trail trailhead. This parking area has been cleared of debris and can park up to 4 cars, maybe 5 if smaller vehicles. Nice job volunteers! |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Snow/Ice - Small Patches |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Nothing of significance. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Centennial Trail has been maintained well. One big blowdown 0.4 miles from junction with Mahoosuc but can crawl under this.
See narrative below regarding the Mahoosuc Trail and total lack of blazing. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
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 | Bugs: |
Black flies are awake, though colder temps keep them tame. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
Centennial Trail is beautiful. Recent, consistent, well placed blazing keeps the trail easy to follow. Thanks to volunteers whom cleared the blow downs I encountered last November. Well done! Attained the junction with no issues. Then...
My initial plan was to take Centennial to Mahoosuc (northbound), then travel back to the North Rd via the Peabody Brook Trail so as to create a kick butt loop. So, in leaving the Centennial/Mahoosuc junction there were a few white AT blazes (few as in 2-3 blazes) but the trail was visible and I was able to follow this. Then, the blazes stopped. After much hesitation I pushed forward as there was a mostly discernible trail. I eventually figured out how to get to Cascade Mt where I came upon two more white blazes and some carins. Ok, good, on the trail. Really nice views from this little ledge.
Then... I don’t know what happened. After the ledge there were no (I mean NO) blazes, no evidence of human trampling, several blow downs and little evidence of a trail. I was alone and a bit freaked out.
I kept on as there appeared to be a trail corridor, but not of the usual AT variety. Over half an hour I spent picking my way through the woods. Then I came upon a very open, very clear, logging road, or snowmobile trail. At this point I knew I was off trail. I consulted the map and compass. Yep, off trail but where was I?! Looking to the right I could see where I needed to be but I could not find a footpath to get there. I spent another 30 minutes attempting course correction, to no avail. There were no blazes. I even went all the way back to Cascade where I’d last seen a blaze. I could not find another blaze. It was simply infuriating. Though I am done with snow until next winter, the shallow snow level helped me follow my footsteps back through a col.
End state: this section of the Mahoosuc is in desperate need of blazing and maintenance. In my anger and frustration I cleared the smallest of the blow downs and various trail debris. Bring a cell phone with GPS if you plan to do this route. |
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 | Name: |
Remington34 |
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 | E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2019-05-15 |
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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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