| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Cherry Pond, Little Cherry Pond, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Pondicherry Rail Trail, Shore Trail, Rampart Trail, Little Cherry Pond Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, January 9, 2021 |
|
 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Parking area off Airport Road is plowed and easily accessible by any vehicle. |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
All on bridges or raised walkways. |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
No issues. There is a tree down over the railroad tracks in the vicinity of Cherry Pond, though. |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Sure, but signs at the trailhead and when entering the wildlife refuge specifically say that they must be leashed. |
|
 | Bugs: |
LOL! Though a sign at the trailhead says that this area is buggy in the late spring and summer, so I guess winter is the best time to do these trails. |
|
 | Lost and Found: |
Nada. |
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|
 | Comments: |
This was a fun, easy, flat redline in the town of Jefferson. Pondicherry Rail Trail is very well packed out from hikers, XC skiers, and even a few fat-wheeled bicycles. Little Cherry Pond Trail is also thoroughly packed out and easy to follow. The maps posted at the trail junctions show a short side trail called "Goshawk Loop", however I did not notice any sign of that trail. The portion of Rampart Path past the junction with the spur trail to Little Cherry Pond Trail was not packed out, however it only had a few inches of light powder, so barebooting it was easy. I didn't realize until I got there that Colonel Whipple Trail doesn't actually intersect with the railroad tracks, so I had to do a very short bushwhack after redlining Rampart Path to get back to the railroad tracks (they are in sight from the trail). There's no need for any kind of traction - not enough snow for snowshoes, and very little ice so spikes are not needed either.
Despite the forecast calling for mostly sunny skies, it was cloudy all day north of the notches. The summits of the Northern Prezies and the Pliny Range were in the clouds, but the views across Cherry Pond were excellent anyway. Saw maybe a half-dozen people going toward Cherry Pond as I was heading back. |
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 | Name: |
GN |
|
 | E-Mail: |
ghnaigles@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2021-01-09 |
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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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