| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mousley Mountain, Stonehouse Mountain, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Dorchester Road, Smith Mountain Road, bushwhack |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, April 4, 2020 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Left from my cabin, Smarts Mt trail head on Dorchester rd was absolutely packed on my way back home. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Snow - Spring Snow |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Yesterdays rain running over Smith Mt Rd in sections, once the feet get wet and you realize its a waste of time to try and avoid.. just go right thru! |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
These really aren't trails so tough to comment, someone has cut and moved a few trees from Smith Mt Rd - I think this was a snowmobile path over the winter perhaps? |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Nothing. |
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 | Bugs: |
Saw a few flying critters, nothing biting yet.
But you know what is up and about.. bear - One moving solo in the col between Mousley/Stonehouse |
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 | Lost and Found: |
Nothing really. |
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 | Comments: |
Left from my cabin on the other side of Reservoir pond, 6.5mi down Dorchester Rd, hung a right into basically the woods to intersect onto Smith Mt Road which is soft dirt/grass right now - after gaining a few ft in elevation the path quickly turns to rotting snow and water running over the road, expect wet feet if you ever travel down here!
Once I could see the shoulder of Mousley approaching I dipped NW into the woods, up a super thick new growth patch which quickly changed to older spruce/pine - everything was coated in moss. Found the snow again, which was not bad. Found the summit register Ball Jar and signed in. May have noticed some old shoe tracks, may have been moose - couldn't tell!
NW off the summit, it got thick quick! Followed some boundary/property markings for a bit until I found some very very fresh bear tracks - this one was flying solo so far. Started back up, seemed as if I was zig-zagging between old herd paths. From a distance I could see the old painted white summit sign.
Up and over the summit, scoped out some meandering herd paths until I made one of my own - heading steeply NE until the grade began to taper, then cut more E to get back to Smith Mt Road, retraced my steps S. Thought about bushwhacking Smith, but that will be saved for another day..soon!
All in all, from cabin door to cabin door: 19.2mi, 3278' elevation gain, super nice day to be out - never saw a soul all day!
Happy climbing!
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|
 | Name: |
Erik Hamilton |
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 | E-Mail: |
ehamilton9481@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2020-04-04 |
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 | Link: |
 https://www.veggiesvistasandvert.com |
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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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