| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Square Ledge, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Oliverian Brook Trail, Square Ledge Branch Trail, Passaconaway Cutoff Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, December 12, 2020 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Lot was fine. Two other cars when we got there but we didn’t see anyone all day. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Snow - Trace/Minimal Depth, Wet Trail, Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Snow - Wet/Sticky, Slush, Snow/Ice - Small Patches |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Light Traction |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
The water was abundant and flowing. Most of the water crossings were just rock hopping. However, there was one that was difficult and we were lucky our boots were waterproof. We had to move a log to help otherwise we would have been up to our mid-calves in a fast stream. This was on the Oliverian. The one major crossing on the Passaconaway Cutoff benefited from a couple of blowdowns that crossed the stream near the trail. We used them as a bridge. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
One major blowdown about a mile-and-a-half in. Fairly easy to get around, though. Trails were mostly in decent condition (though, being in a wilderness zone, they’re not well-marked — we benefited from tracks in the snow). |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Square ledge trail would be tough for all but the most agile dogs. |
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 | Bugs: |
We actually saw a flying bug of some sort. No joke. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
Only about an inch or two of snow on the trail. By the time we came down there were bare spots. Higher up it was powdery, but still only an inch or two. We “broke trail†on the Square Ledge Branch which is when we put on the spikes. But there really wasn’t enough snow for snowshoes, even up top (in fact I’d rather be in spikes going up the ledge than in snowshoes even in deeper snow). Spikes were definitely useful, but not absolutely necessary since there was no ice underneath. Poles were helpful too. |
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 | Name: |
Ian D |
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 | E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2020-12-12 |
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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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