| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Bald Cap Peak Ledges, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Austin Brook Trail, Mahoosuc Trail, Peabody Brook Trail, Bald Cap Peak Ledges Trail, Giant Falls Spur |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Wednesday, August 4, 2021 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Peabody Brook Trail has room for a few cars on the shoulder opposite the trail. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Significant |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
The two crossings of Peabody Brook on Peabody Brook Trail were straightforward rock hops. The bog bridges across the open area on Mahoosuc Trail just northeast of Dream Lake were mostly intact, but a few had failed. Substantial sections of Mahoosuc Trail had standing and running water and mud - lots of mud. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Several blowdowns on all the trails. Mahoosuc Trail was extremely wet and muddy. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Peabody Brook Trail has a ladder, and large sections of it are on a very steep sidehill, so it might not be the best trail for dogs. |
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 | Bugs: |
In contrast to the first two days of the backpacking trip, we encountered more bugs here, particularly on the lower part of Peabody Brook Trail. Mostly gnats, but some larger flying insects as well. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
Nothing. |
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 | Comments: |
This was Day 3 of a 3-day backpacking trip in the Mahoosucs. From Gentian Pond Campsite, we followed Mahoosuc Trail west to Dream Lake. This part has a steep section, but it wasn't really scrambly and it was drier than the trail had been the previous two days. From there, the trail had minor ups and downs and was still very wet and muddy but was nonetheless definitely easier than Mahoosuc Trail east of Gentian Pond, since those notorious steep wet ledges were mostly absent on this section. We then followed Peabody Brook Trail down the bottom, making sure to take the spur paths to Bald Cap Peak Ledges and Giant Falls. Bald Cap Peak Ledges Trail was pretty easy - a gradual climb at the beginning, then minor ups and downs, then a steep descent over two open ledgy areas to reach the main ledges. The trail was well blazed and easy to follow.
The descent on Peabody Brook Trail was interesting. Much of the descent was quite steep and in the narrow ravine of the brook. The footing on Peabody Brook Trail, while certainly rough in places, was still way better than the footing on Mahoosuc Trail, particularly the part of Mahoosuc Trail east of Gentian Pond. (Peabody Brook Trail was also much drier and had way less mud.) The ladder wasn't too bad, but crossing the slide area just below it required caution since the trail runs along a very steep sidehill and you definitely don't want to go sliding down it. Giant Falls was beautiful. And the remainder of the descent below it was mostly along a nice easy woods road - just what we needed at the end of three long, tiring days in the Mahoosucs. |
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 | Name: |
GN |
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 | E-Mail: |
ghnaigles@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2021-08-04 |
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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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