| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Doublehead Mountain, Mt. Squam, Mt. Percival, Mt. Morgan, Mt. Webster, Mt. Livermore, Cotton Mountain, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Doublehead Trail, Crawford Ridgepole Trail, Cotton Mtn Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Thursday, October 6, 2022 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Spotted a car at Cotton Mtn lot, and drove up to start at Doublehead, originally from Sandwich Notch Rd, but ultimately from Thompson Rd trailhead (see below) |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Stepovers or rockhops, one log bridge. Water levels low. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Trails in good shape overall. One large aspen down about 1/4 mi up Cotton Mtn Trail from Cotton Mtn parking area, walk under, but it crosses trail with a lot of limbs. A couple other small blowdowns on Cotton Mtn trail and Crawford Ridgepole between Cotton and Livermore. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
We had a dog with us (mixed breed, about 50 lbs). Trail fine for dogs, but some maty have trouble on a couple ledgy sections. Tilly did not want to attempt the first ledge on Crawford Ridge about 1/2 mile in from Sandwich Notch Rd, so we hiked out and drove to Doublehead Tr via Thompson Rd, then had no problems. Pretty dry with distance between marginal watering holes, so pack water for pups. |
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 | Bugs: |
Just a few mondo flies buzzing around on summits, and a couple lady bugs. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
n/a |
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 | Comments: |
A perfect mild fall day for this Squam ridge traverse. The plan was to start from Sandwich Notch Road and hike through to Cotton Mtn, but the dog that was with us did not want to try the first set of ledges 1/2 mi in from Sandwich Notch Rd, so we backtracked and reset at Doublehead Tr from Thompson Rd. After that it was smooth sailing up to the ridge and across the various mountains. Lots of ups and downs, and a few pretty views of Squam and Winnipesaukee along the way, and a couple north views to Whiteface, Paugus, Sandwich Dome, the Ossipees, and lots more. Trail and ledges were dry, but some mud pits in the cols. Minimal water to be had for doggos, a few little puddles and a couple of streams at low spots, but otherwise dry.
Foliage approaching peak, lots of glowy trees.
Saw no one until Morgan and Percival, where there were a few singles, pairs, and one huge group of 20 or so peeps. A couple dogs out today with their humans. Just saw one person after Morgan, a trail runner coming off Livermore as we ascended.
A great traverse along pretty trails. Rocky and ledgy in the first half, followed by smoother/softer dirt foodbed for most of the second half. 11.1 mi, 3100 feet of gain (not including the first section we started and aborted before resetting.
Thanks Amy and Madeleine, and Tilly the dog for a fun day. |
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 | Name: |
Playshookytohike |
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 | E-Mail: |
Playshookytohike@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2022-10-06 |
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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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