| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
The Scaur, Waterville Flume, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Livermore Trail, Old Skidder Trail, Irene’s Path, Kettles Path |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Wednesday, February 26, 2020 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
The Livermore parking area was icy as usual but I managed to get to and from the bathrooms from the other side of the parking lot okay without traction lol. More cars here than I anticipated for a gloomy weekday. Between one and two dozen cars and room for dozens more shortly before 11am. One of the last cars there at 3:30pm. The roads in were all free of snow and ice although I think that’s since changed ;) |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular, Snow - Wet/Sticky, Snow - Spring Snow, Snow/Ice - Small Patches |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
None that I recall that aren’t bridged. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Livermore isn’t blazed at least on the road portion but is obvious and well cleared as it’s a road. Old Skidder Trail is marked with the occasional old and faded yellow blaze. Some of the blazes are unique in that they are really two normal blazes attached perpendicularly to each other with the upper (horizontal) one indicating the direction the trail turns. Don’t think I’ve ever seen that before. Cool! Irene’s Path was blazed in yellow. I don’t recall how often but I’m guessing they weren’t too frequent. Don’t recall the blaze on Kettles Path but I’m guessing it was blazed in yellow and similar to the other two. I don’t recall any blowdowns along this route! |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
One that came up to greet me in the parking lot as their owner skied by. Should be good trails for dogs as there aren’t any scrambles, usually isn’t too steep, and there’s periodic water along the trails. |
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 | Bugs: |
None but I’ve heard that some ticks have shown there faces in southern NH so keep an eye out! |
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 | Lost and Found: |
A hat at Livermore trailhead at the parking lot. Almost packed it out but figured it could be a skiers who left it there and plans on getting it on their way back. |
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|
 | Comments: |
My second to last redline in the Waterville Valley tab. An area I’ll surely miss and come back to! Started shortly before 11am and finished at 3:30pm. 39F when I started which was warmer than predicted for this area.
As a consequence of all the warm weather, the snow was wet and a bit undermined at times even when fairly packed which made it feel more like spring snow. I wore snowshoes the whole way. Although you may not have needed them on Livermore Trail below Scaur Ridge Trail I still think they made the job easier. Beyond that they were needed as evidenced by all the postholes and divots along the upper portion of Livermore Trail which made snowshoeing much more difficult than it should have been. While there was usually a separated and untouched ski trail, occasionally the barebooter switched sides of the road and turned up the ski track too which the skiers couldn’t have been happy about. Hopefully it’s all covered up sufficiently by today’s snow :)
Old Skidder Trail had seen only one set of snowshoe tracks. Irene’s Path and Kettles Path has seen more and Kettles Path has also seen some bareboots that damaged the trail some. Have fun reversions the trails after today! 😂 Hopefully there’s at least something resembling a base on them as all these trails have seen at least two snowshoe tracks on them now . |
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 | Name: |
Liam Cooney |
|
 | E-Mail: |
liamcooney96@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2020-02-27 |
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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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