| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Winslow Ledge, Sugar Hill (Lyme), NH |
|
 | Trails: |
Ski trails, bushwhack, snowmobile trails, Grafton Turnpike |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Friday, May 13, 2022 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Parked at the base of the ski trails going up Holts Ledge |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
None |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
One blowdown across the snowmobile trail |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Sure |
|
 | Bugs: |
Found one tick on me in the car afterward |
|
 | Lost and Found: |
None |
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|
 | Comments: |
Day 194, Peaks 185 & 186. 3rd hike of the day after Skyland-West Ridge Trail traverse, then Bear Hill across the street. I think this was the second most miserable hike of my life. The heat and sun was awful and the bugs were nearly unbearable.
I plodded my way up the very steep ski trails/gondola. Haven’t hiked that slowly in awhile given the heat. Had to actually force myself to stop and drink water too. Not terribly overgrown but no access road up to the top so ticks were still a worry. Happy to find myself at the top of the ski area, I followed the ridge at easy-moderate grades to the summit of Winslow Ledge. Not hard to find the jar. Woods transitioned around the summit but we’re still open. Mostly very gradual grades down until shortly before the col. Decent woods. From the col, Inascended steeply up toward the northern summit, contouring around the true summit, dropped back down, then another steep pitch back up to the true summit. Not hard to find the register.
To descend, I returned I returned to the col between the main and north peaks of Sugar Hill, then turned left (SW) and descended very steeply down what should be a drainage though I saw no water. Very steep but little ledge so it was very doable. I was thrilled to see a road again as I thought that meant I could outpace the black flies but alas I was wrong. I followed this road NW for 1/2mi put to a snowmobile trail that I followed out to where it neared Grafton Thrnpike. After following it a short while longer, I just walked over through the woods to the road and walked back along it to my car thus making a big loop.
The hike was about 6.75mi with 1600ft of gain, taking me 3.5hrs. 171 more days and 179 more peaks to go… |
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 | Name: |
Liam Cooney |
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 | E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2022-05-17 |
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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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