| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
None, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Oliverian Brook Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Monday, January 16, 2023 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Nicely plowed with room for 2 dozen using the side of the access road. Just two others there when we arrived at noon. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Snow - Unpacked Powder |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes, Skis |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Both crossings after Passaconway Cutoff and were just a little tricky. Found sandbars 2-3 inches deep to wade most of the way across, then rock hops from there. Did not need to remove snowshoes. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Fantastic. One small 5-6 inch pine blowdown right at the Wilderness boundary (before entering the Wilderness area) that was easily bypassed. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Suitable for any and all. |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
Lazy morning led to a late start. No views today so decided to fill in the gap between Passaconway Cutoff and Square Ledge Branch trails. The road in from the winter parking area has a soft ski, shoe and boot track. From the kiosk its more of the same with lots of boot holes several inches deep. We weren't paying attention and missed the trail going left and the XC loop trail after that and ended up going about 4/10's down the road until we woke up. Ooops. We noted the south end of the XC loop trail was not broken out so we backtracked to the Oliverian Brook trail junction. From there the track improved until the XC trail junction where the couple we saw leaving when we were starting had turned around. A lone booter had gone as far as the Passaconway Cutoff and pocked up the track pretty badly. We mostly smoothed it over but there are still some holes here and there. We noted both the Passaconway Cutoff and the Oliverian Brook trails were not broken out past the junction. We broke out the trail 1.3 miles to the Square Ledge Branch Trail junction, where we had a snack and some hot cinnamon spice tea (think fireball without the booze) before heading back. Oliverian Brook going south towards Paugus Pass was not broken out. After the third and fourth set of shoes the track we left was perfect for snowshoes but still way too soft for boots. Skis would work, but the many drainage dips and other obstacles make shoes the right choice for this trail. Darkness overcame us, and the headlamps gave a different perspective of the woods for the last mile or so which we enjoyed except for the tricks the mind plays when in the woods after dark. What was that?!!? This is an easy, beautiful hike along the brook and highly recommend getting out and enjoying our track before the next snowfall. |
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 | Name: |
notch and pumba |
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 | E-Mail: |
bowmore17@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2023-01-17 |
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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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