| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
None, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Bearcamp River Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Sunday, September 15, 2019 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
On the section between Bearcamp Pond Road and Rt. 113 / Community School, there were several fords. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
Bearcamp River Trail - (Upper Road to Community School)
This was Day 2 on our attempt to walk the route of the Bearcamp River Trail, past and present. (We've only a bit under 2 miles to go.) We referred to the AMC map and guidebook from the 26th edition as a reference.
In general: the trail is blazed in yellow and access points are signed from its western terminus at Beede Falls (Sandwich Notch), east until the first significant ford, about 1.5 miles east of Bearcamp Pond Road. East of this ford, the trail is not blazed nor was there much evidence of a trail at all.
Trail closure: On the section between Upper Road and Rt. 113, there are "Keep Out" signs and metal wire across the trail. Going east, the first trail sign closure is 0.75 mile east of Upper Road. On the other end, the trail closure sign is about 1.7 miles in from Rt. 113. Respecting the land owner, your options are to hike "out and backs" on both ends, or bushwhack through swamp around the "No Trespassing" signs.
Trail relocation: The small section of trail on the north face of "Top of the World" has been relocated, likely to accommodate bypassing newer homes. Well blazed and signed, but not in the same location as the old AMC map. This short section allows one to bypass the busy intersection. We did walk up the gravel road where the former trail went west off of Top of the World Road. It was not signed. Took us to a view point.. but no evidence of a former trail past this view point.
Top of the World Road walk. To trail, well blazed. To Partridge Hill Road walk. To Vittum Hill Road Walk. Trail takes off north across from the Vittum Hill Cemetery (signed / blazed).
We took a break at the Bearcamp Pond Town Beach... quite the gem.
From Bearcamp Pond Road east to the Community School, the trail was well blazed for about 1.5 mile until the first significant ford. Once across the ford, we completely lost the trail. We bushwhacked a reasonable approximation of the trail. The woods along the bank of the river were crazy thick and overgrown, so sometimes we paralleled what we thought was the trail by walking the edge of farmers' fields. We got a little mixed up where the Cold River joins the Bearcamp... and we spent sometime walking in the river as this was easier than the thick growth on either side of us. Within 0.25 mile of Rt. 113 / The Community School, we picked up evidence of the old trail, but no blazing. We crossed a cow fence before finally hitting the bridge at Rt. 113.. to see find an old yellow blaze on the underside of the bridge.
The last 2 miles will have to wait.
Fun day exploring out in the woods with my better half, Steve.
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 | Name: |
Beth Z. |
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 | E-Mail: |
btzimr at gmail dot com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2019-09-15 |
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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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