| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Martha, Owlshead, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Cherry Mountain Trail, Martha's Mile |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Sunday, October 11, 2020 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Big gravel lot in excellent condition. Thank you. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Leaves - Significant/Slippery |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
None. Evidence of dry beds. Having done this previously with snow and during the spring run-off, I remember them being small streams. Don't know if they run all year under normal conditions. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Only blowdowns were on Martha's mile. Thanks to maintenance for the work done so far (looks like there was a fir wave or a bad storm in the past). Lot of work put in, greatly appreciated. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Bring water and watch the Owl's Head ledges. A few nice dogs yesterday with responsible human companions. |
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 | Bugs: |
A couple unknown flying ones. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
Please note this is the Cherry Mtn. approach from 115, just a few miles north of the intersection of rts 3 and 302. Further up there is the trailhead for Owl's Head Trail, another good trail with a good lot. We were going to take this trail from the other end (Cherry Mtn Road), but there is a HUGE blowdown blocking the road after the first few campsites.
Good choice for a holiday weekend, not crowded. Several people were on Owl's Head, but there was plenty of room to hang out social distantly and still enjoy the views. Warm in the sun, cold in the evergreens (someone said 36 degrees in the col on Martha's mile). Mt. Martha is on 52WAV, but Owl's Head has the better views; so if you are doing Martha for your list, give yourself plenty of time for a trip over to Owl's Head. Marth's Mile is not quite a mile and it has a few open spots where there are good views of the Presidentials. There is a short, steep climb to Owl's Head which was very slippery (wet rocks).
You can see most (if not all) of the Presidentials from Owl's Head, as well as Chocurua way in the distance. The view from Martha is growing in, but head over to the fire tower remains and you will find a herd path leading to a ledge with views, as well as another herd spot with somewhat obstructed views of Vermont.
Beauty of past peak foliage: lower levels were golden with all the yellow leaves and the brilliant sunshine, higher levels stripped bare, which means you can see a little more at the obstructed viewpoints. Call me unorthodox, but I like stick season.
Only one mild disappointment. I wish we had started earlier in the day, because someone mentioned someone had completed their redline on either Martha of OH, don't know who and don't know which. It would have been great to see. Congratulations! |
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 | Name: |
Beckie and Prema |
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 | E-Mail: |
beckiejani@yahoo.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2020-10-12 |
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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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