Gentian Pond, Dream Lake, Bald Cap Peak Ledges, Dryad Fall - Austin Brook Trail, Mahoosuc Trail, Peabody Brook Trail, Bald Cap Peak Ledges Trail, Dryad Fall Trail - 10-23-2022

Hiking Trail Conditions Report
	Peaks	Gentian Pond, Dream Lake, Bald Cap Peak Ledges, Dryad Fall, NH

	Trails:	Austin Brook Trail, Mahoosuc Trail, Peabody Brook Trail, Bald Cap Peak Ledges Trail, Dryad Fall Trail

	Date of Hike:	Sunday, October 23, 2022

	Parking/Access Road Notes:	I parked on Mill Brook Road, just before bridge across Austin Mill Brook, where there is room for several cars in a little pullout. I could have gone further though; the bridge is in excellent shape and the road should be drivable for any vehicle all the way to the point where Austin Brook Trail turns left into the woods.

	Surface Conditions:	Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Leaves - Significant/Slippery

	Recommended Equipment:

	Water Crossing Notes:	Dryad Brook was running high but was rock hoppable by going just a few feet downstream of the trail.

	Trail Maintenance Notes:	Aside from Austin Brook Trail, each of the other four trails had exactly one blowdown, all at that inconvenient mid-body height. Austin Brook Trail could use some blazing after it turns uphill, off the AT corridor boundary. I didn't see any white blazes on the Mahoosuc Trail past the Austin Brook Trail junction, though it wasn't hard to follow. There were a number of fully or partially submerged bog bridges on the Mahoosuc Trail and the Peabody Brook Trail had some that could use a little work as well. Dryad Fall Trail was very wet.

	Dog-Related Notes:

	Bugs:	No bugs, no ticks!

	Lost and Found:	I lost my bright orange toque, probably on the Peabody Brook Trail. If you find it, please give it to someone in need. It's in like-new condition and quite warm!


	Comments:	Between leaves and logging activity I thought parts of this route might be hard to follow, but it was generally straightforward. Austin Brook Trail coincides with Mill Brook Road for maybe a mile (this stretch would be drivable) before turning left into the woods where there is an obvious sign on a tree. It then comes out onto a skidder track, going straight ahead for a short stretch to a junction, also with an obvious sign, where it turns right and Dryad Fall Trail diverges left, following the skidder track. ABT is soon joined by another skidder track, with yet another one shortly diverging left uphill. It took me a minute at this point to pick up the flagging on the right-hand side of the right-hand track. This flagging leads you to where ABT turns right into the woods, becoming a very nice trail. After traversing some relatively flat terrain, it briefly coincides with the AT corridor boundary before turning left uphill, where an arrow points the way. I got briefly off trail shortly beyond this point, veering right on what looked like a solid path where I should have gone straight. I think this would have been more obvious without the fall leaf litter. Bald Cap Peak Ledges Trail is very well blazed and leads to an outstanding view when followed to the end. Love the "More views ahead" sign! Dryad Fall Trail was easily the wettest of the trails, consisting largely of leaf-covered mud, with some standing and running water thrown in. I was briefly unsure of the way at a point where the trail takes a hard left into a small stream, but picked up the flagging again shortly down slope. Flagging also came in handy a little ways past the brook crossing, where the trail veers right into the woods and a skidder track continues straight. Dryad Fall itself made this wet stretch worth it though. Plenty of water made for quite an impressive site, and the view of the Royces was great too! From here the path quickly turns into a skidder track, winding around to that junction with Austin Brook Trail.

	Name:	CMS

	E-Mail:

	Date Submitted:	2022-10-23

	Link:	https://
		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.