| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Mexico, Mt. Paugus, Square Ledge, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Big Rock Cave Trail, Old Paugus Trail, Lawrence Trail, Square Ledge Trail, Old Mast Road, Gordon Path |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Sunday, May 26, 2019 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
We parked in the small lot on 113A, across from Big Rock Cave Trail. At 9am, parking was not an issue. We were pleased and surprised to see that Gordon Path dropped us off in the very same spot. We thought we were going to have a short road walk based on the map. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Mud - Significant, Leaves - Significant/Slippery |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
All water crossings were doable. The first is where you want water proof boots. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Lawrence Trail is full of blow downs—many of them fresh, greening evergreens that cover the entire trail and require wrestling through. The vegetation is also thick on that trail in places. It really needs maintenance. Blazes are minimal to non-existent everywhere but Big Rock Cave Trail. And everything is blazed blue, so no color coding here. Fortunately, trail intersection signage is present, and a handful of small arrow signs help to point out turns if you notice the arrows. Lawrence and Square Ledge seem pretty light used, so you have to pay close attention to ground firmness to stay on trail in many places. A section of Gordon Path about 1/2 mile from 113A is very grown in and you have to fight through trees, then it opens up again. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Saw none. |
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 | Bugs: |
Black flies are out. I used my bug net several times, and we were generous with the bug spray. I still got a few bites in my arms.
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
This was a 12.4 mile loop. We wanted to avoid the crowds for the holiday weekend and we did. We saw only 4 other people on Paugus, and no one on Square Ledge. Big Rock Cave Trail, Old Mast Rock and Gordon Path have good footing. The others are rocks, roots, and lots of short scrambles, as is typical in NH.
The first water crossing on Square Ledge Trail is a bit confusing and it took us a while to figure it out. When you reach the stream, it looks like you should cross right there. But on the other side, there is no trail. You actually have to walk left 20-25 yards before crossing. (To where the big white log is laying across the stream.) There you will see the trail pick up on the other side.
Due to vegetation, wear long pants for this hike. We were so glad our legs were covered.
Not a flake of snow to be found on the ground. |
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 | Name: |
KLBS |
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 | E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2019-05-27 |
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 | Link: |
 https://www.facebook.com/groups/LesBeInTheMountains/ |
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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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