| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Pisgah (Pittsburg) , NH |
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 | Trails: |
Bushwhack |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Sunday, August 28, 2022 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
I parked roadside on Pisgah Mtn Trail 1/3mi from Cedar Stream Rd. I turned off the latter after having followed it for just over 11.5mi. Cedar Stream Rd should be okay for all cars with care though miles 3-7 or so are tougher than the rest. Pisgah Mtn Trail should also be okay for small cars with care. Note that 1) there’s a road to the SE of the peak shown as a gray line of Gaia; I tried driving up this but it had a very raised grassy centerline and was quite narrow so I turned around pretty soon which proved rather difficult given how narrow it was; that said a high clearance vehicle could probably do it, and 2) I tried driving in what’s called the Wardens Rd on Gaia which starts just over a mile to the west of where I parked but it’s gated a very short ways in; it sounded like this is how most approach the peak but if it’s gated then it is shorter to approach the way I did. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Mud - Significant |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Crossed some small drainages on the north side of the peak. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
N/A |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Sure |
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 | Bugs: |
I don’t remember them being a nuisance |
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 | Lost and Found: |
None |
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 | Comments: |
Day 301, Peak 282. 3rd hike/peak of the day after East Pisgah and Beaver Pond Peak.
Note the parking notes about trying to approach this peak from other places which, in the first place, seemed shorter, and, in the second place, seemed more popular though if it’s always gated I don’t know why. From my parking spot on Pisgah Mtn Rd between 2025 and 2050ft to the N/NW of the peak I entered the woods and, after a steep rise next to the road, was soon treated to gentle grades in open woods. I found two brooks to stay between down low that kept me on bearing. The brooks eventually meandered some and there was some wet/muddy footing but overall this was a very nice approach. I saw the discolored areas on Gaia and was worried about going through brushy areas but my bearing lead me between them and there was little/no sign of them other than when I started and there had clearly been logging just to the east of me.
You hit the steeps around 2400ft. The woods begin to change shortly after that as well and I found myself trying to finagle my way through hobblebush at a very steep grade which was interesting. Some ferns mixed in which I tried to make my way over to which involves lots of zig-zagging which worked well as informal switchbacks to lessen the grade ;P No cliff bands though. The grade eases slightly as you approach the summit plateau and the hobblebush disappears. Not too hard to find the canister. I was happily surprised that the sign was still there :) Many entries over the past 25-30 years and I spent a good 1/2hr on the summit looking through them all :)
I headed north off the summit. This worked well as I seemed to avoid some of the hobblebush, finding myself more in ferns instead. Eventually came to some hobblebush too but not too bad. At 2600ft I began to cut NE and make my way back over to my ascent line so as to avoid the logged areas that I might hit if I continued in this direction. Didn’t hit them but did hit some minor brushy or thicker areas. I could kind of sense that I was close. So a bit of give and take compared to my ascent line. I reconnected with my ascent line just above 2200ft and followed in between the two drainages back out.
Though steep and hobblebushy at times, this hike was both easier and more enjoyable than I thought! I’d do it again this way. Total hike was about 2mi with 1000ft of gain. Took me 45min to ascent, 30min at the summit, and 45min to descend. 64 more days and 83 more peaks to go… |
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 | Name: |
Liam Cooney |
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 | E-Mail: |
liamcooney96@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2022-08-30 |
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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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