| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Lafayette, Mt. Truman, Mt. Lincoln, Little Haystack Mountain, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Skookumchuck Trail, Garfield Ridge Trail, Franconia Ridge Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Monday, September 16, 2019 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Ample parking in designated lot for Skookumchuck for 20+ cars. Sign for lot says “Trails Parking†at the end of US 3 just before you have to get on Interstate 93. Wonder if this is plowed in winter? |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
All rock hopable. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Three blow downs on Skookumchuck, none of which pose an issue. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
4 cute canines having a nice time. No issues with crossing these trails. |
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 | Bugs: |
Ha! Later pests! Lower temps mean these guys are on the run. But apparently cobwebs continue... I ate them both up AND down the mountain. Seriously. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
I was the only hiker on Skookumchuck until almost treeline. Met one hiker heading down from the Ridge at that point. Then plenty of people on Franconia Ridge, but not overly crowded. Cold temps with 30 mile per hour winds. At least the wind took out the clouds to permit some nice views in the afternoon.
Skookumchuck is well blazed in blue and looks promising for snowshoeing as the blazes are high on the trees. This is a lovely trail that climbs at a moderate grade through wicked nice woods. I mean really nice woods. I felt like a fairy might show up at any moment waving glitter dust and growing mushrooms in their wake! Good rock stairs aid the ascent and descent. Lots of water features at lower elevations.
The remainder of trails are well signed with good carins. I was able to find my way in limited visibility until the clouds cleared. So nice to be able to walk the ridge that I could only look at last winter from Liberty and Flume!
Of note, the majority of day hikers climbed up Falling Waters Trail. Seems like a lot of traffic for one trail when there are so many others to explore... The elevation gain was much less when coming from Skookumchuck.
Enjoy this phenomenal area and it’s views! Quite unique! |
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 | Name: |
Remington34 |
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 | E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2019-09-16 |
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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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