Mt. Paugus - South Peak - Cabin Trail, Whittin Brook Trail, Old Paugus Trail, Lawrence Trail - 4-8-2023

Hiking Trail Conditions Report
	Peaks	Mt. Paugus - South Peak, NH

	Trails:	Cabin Trail, Whittin Brook Trail, Old Paugus Trail, Lawrence Trail

	Date of Hike:	Saturday, April 8, 2023

	Parking/Access Road Notes:	There are good sized snowbanks ringing the summer parking areas, but there's still room for multiple cars in each.

	Surface Conditions:	Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular, Snow - Spring Snow, Snow/Ice - Postholes

	Recommended Equipment:	Snowshoes

	Water Crossing Notes:	Whittin Brook Trail's three crossings, and the one for Big Rock, were all open and flowing, but not real problems. The upper Whittin Brook crossing and Big Rock were easy rock hops in boots. The other two Whittin Brook crossings I did in my snowshoes, the lowest being a bit tricky as I used a slightly submerged log to cross. The snowshoe crampon gave me a good grip and some elevation above the water; otherwise it would have been a wet boot crossing.

	Trail Maintenance Notes:	There were two blocking and 1 duck under blowdown on Old Paugus. The blocking ones are significant as the beech and maple each fell with the trail and so not only the stem but the multiple branches are in the way. These were above the Whittin Brook trail but below the rocky gully. The third duck under was just above the gully.

	Dog-Related Notes:	My old pup would have had a good day. A heavier dog might have been postholing quite a bit.

	Bugs:	None

	Lost and Found:	None


	Comments:	Cabin was a mix of bare ground and crusty snow in the first section approaching the wilderness boundary. It had been postholed where there was snow so I barebooted that stretch. Then it was excellent snowshoe conditions to Whitten Brook and down it to close to Old Paugus. There I ran into a stretch of postholes to Big Rock. I was delighted they stopped there so I continued to Old Paugus and up with a few bare boots due to the aspect before meeting up with Big Rock. After that it was a good snowshoe, the heal lifts helping at times, although I went to bare boots to get up the gully with its bare ground. Snowshoes were good from there to the south knob, viewpoint and then down Lawrence. As I got closer to Cabin I ran into a badly and deeply postholed section as the clowns came over from Kelley or further, apparently got exhausted, and turned around and back. It will be anklebuster tomorrow in that section. Down Cabin the steep sidehill area was crusty and required some care. Flex Alps really earned their keep on it, with the big crampon and side rails. Below Whittin Brook I was surprised to run into postholes that had been created sometime after my morning ascent. In this upper section they will be anklebusters; down lower not a problem as the snow thins or there are bare spots. Excepting Cabin and a small piece of Lawrence, these trails lack paint blazes which are no problem in summer but in the high snowpack the trail corridor is often "brushy" and it isn't always obvious. Experienced trail hikers will find the corridor, but others may not. Nice views from the south knob. I don't know what the postholers are thinking; they didn't get close to any sort of objective, they just trashed trails which with cold nights will create anklebusthers stretches. There is still a lot of snow up there; there always is at this time of year. Crusty snow on the ascent becomes soft or mush on the descent later in the day. None of this should be a surprise. They still are (or should be) carrying their winter coats, gloves, backup clothes and other winter gear and food so bring the winter shoes too. Fortunately today most of the trails I was on were either untouched or showed only signs of old snowshoe tracks so I had a good day.

	Name:	Zero

	E-Mail:

	Date Submitted:	2023-04-08

	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.