| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Cilley, Mt. Cilley - West Peak, Grandview Mountain, Grandview Mountain - East Peak, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Elbow Pond Road, Cilley Mountain Trail, bushwhacks |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Tuesday, April 18, 2023 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Parked on Elbow Pond Road at the sand pit/shooting range as the gate over Jackman Brook was locked |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Snow - Spring Snow, Leaves - Significant/Slippery |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Light Traction |
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Water is high but manageable, all wide crossings are bridged for the snowmobile trail, otherwise a hop on rocks will get you to the other side |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
All good |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
n/a |
|
 | Bugs: |
none |
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 | Lost and Found: |
none |
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|
 | Comments: |
Great day at lower elevations, remaining snowpack along the snowmobile corridor was supportive and not terribly slick. The roadway was saturated in several northern areas but otherwise was very nice to be back on solid dirt trails.
Took the first left onto Cilley Mt Trail and shortly, nearing the HOL, veered off toward Mt Cilley West Peak, back to the snowmobile path which was some snow/some dry trail - very pleasant surprise as I went out on these trails to basically see how the snowpack was fairing after last weeks warmer temps. Bare ground with moderate blowdown, conifers low giving way to hardwoods for the ascent up Grandview, no snow at all. From Grandview to the East Peak of Grandview to check out the old 1939 Fire tower remains, had a nice scramble/climb up the col to East, not much to see from the summit area but found an old ginger ale can - that was neat.
From Grandview East Peak I could see Mt Cilley and basically shot straight through the woods, descending toward both the mountain and Cilley Mt Road, which was basically draining water off that HOL where I departed to ascend Grandview initially. Didn't want to tear up the roadbed so I headed into mostly hardwood forest aiming straight at the summit ridge of Mt Cilley, lots of moose activity on this mountain, not so much earlier in the day - mostly deer on the other peaks. Gained the eastern side of the ridge and traversed along the top to the recognized high point of Mt Cilley which had another salsa jar, into which the summit register notebook was stored. Only a small patch of soggy snow remained off the NW slope of Cilley, other than that encounter it was a snow-free day in the woods.
Bee-lined near straight to meet back up with the Cilley Mt Trail and trail ran that sucker back to my car, great day back on solid ground. Excited for more snow to melt and get more higher forests to roam.
Check out the link below for a much more in-depth write up, if you'd like. That was a really fun loop and as far as conditions go, that was near perfect. Enjoy!
Happy Climbing!
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|
 | Name: |
Erik Hamilton |
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 | E-Mail: |
ehamilton9481@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2023-04-19 |
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 | Link: |
 https://www.atalkinthewoods.com/trail-reports/grandview-cilley-mountains |
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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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