| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Hurd Hill, Black Top, Osgood Hill, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Ethan's Way, Hurd Hill Trail, Ridge Trail, Holt Trail, Wheeler Trail, Brickyard Road |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Sunday, November 28, 2021 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
The parking lot for Partridge Woods off Brickyard Rd. in Nelson was not plowed, but snow was minimal. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Snow - Unpacked Powder, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Significant |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Light Traction |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
None. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
No blowdowns. Summit elevations on signs don't quite match up with USGS topo maps, in particular Hurd Hill. The western 0.8 mi. of Wheeler Trail Trail is now closed to public use (see comments below). |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
(Note: Nelson Trails Committee has apparently moved the "Black Top" designation -- which is what Osgood Hill was sometimes called -- down to the next bump south along the ridge, according to current signage.)
Nice morning for this loop and to check on some changes which have occurred since the publication of the AMC Southern NH Trail Guide earlier this year. Of particular note is the closing of the westernmost 0.8 mi. of Wheeler Trail which entered private land. The former trailhead on Homestead Ln. has also been closed and the road itself has been posted "private, no trespassing, authorized vehicles only". Wheeler Trail now begins at its junction with Ridge Trail. Ridge Trail and Hurd Hill Trail are new additions to the network here and were made official after the guide was published.
This was the first real snowy hike for me this season. About 2-4 in. on average. I suppose snowshoes could have been used in some drifty areas but overall there isn't enough cover yet. I carried spikes but bare-booted round-trip. Some of these trails had seen some previous boot traffic, but others were untouched aside from a few animal tracks. Snow was light and powdery with little ice encountered. The sloppiest bit was Wheeler Trail, where mud and water were lurking under the snow.
A chilly but sunny morning. I was a bit surprised to not see anyone else here today. |
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 | Name: |
KenM |
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 | E-Mail: |
kmacgray@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2021-11-28 |
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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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