| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Stinson Mountain, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Stinson Mountain Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Thursday, May 18, 2023 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Parking area on left with trail sign easily visible with room for 4 vehicles easily and maybe 5 if smaller vehicles and optimal parking skills. Doetown Road is rutted from runoff, but is dry and firm. Only the lowest riding vehicles (like sports cars) would be challenged. So leave your Lambos and Ferraris at home.
To get to Doetown RD take Main Street off NH Route 25 in Rumney. This section of Route 25 is 55 mph so it is easy to fly by. At approximately 1 mile, Main Street becomes Stinson Lake Rd. At 5.0 miles from 25, Cross Road (signed) intersects on the right. (This is shortly after the posted speed limit drops from 35 to 30.) Take Cross Road about .7 mi to the end (changes from paved to gravel about half-way) where it intersects with Doetown RD. Turn right and trailhead is about a quarter mile on the left. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Only 2-3 trickles crossing trail, rock steps through some, step over the others. Snowmobile section has 3 bridges. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
I saw only one blaze entire trip, an extremely faded single yellow blaze at a turn on a switchback on the descent. Second junction of hiking and snowmobile trails at .9 has brand new sign pointing to hiking trail for those descending. Not really necessary, but helpful. Sign at split of snowmobile and hiking trails at 1.1 mi is also marked with a yellow and black caution sign (due to snowmobile bridge), making it easier to see. Fork in trail just below summit has yellow sign with black arrow pointing to the right and appears to be the preferred route for foot traffic. Total of 4-5 trees of mostly smaller dimensions across trail. Largest one right near trailhead has established path skirting it. All others easily stepped over. Trail either requires little maintenance or is being maintained very well. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
There are small streams on either side of the trail for most of the distance. I didn't see any water sources near the summit. Some of the streams had very slow flow and volume today and looked like they could go dry in some conditions. There are some slabs near the summit, some steep and angled, but nothing that should challenge most dogs. Also, there are ways to avoid these by going through the open woods on either side of the trail, but only if you are a dog. Less than 2 miles from trailhead to summit. Thus, this seems to be a perfect trail for dogs (and children and elderly hikers and beginners.) |
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 | Bugs: |
Temp at start of hike was 42 and a slight breeze, so that may be why I saw none. Or maybe they went to another mountain today. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
Found nothing. Hope I didn't lose anything. |
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 | Comments: |
My first hike of the year after an uneventful winter, so decided to start with a relatively easy one. I have been walking 3-7 miles for the last few weeks, but on smooth flat recreation trails, so legs hadn't seen any kind of steep terrain. They know it now.
The first section from trailhead to snowmobile junction at .9 is mostly easy to moderate grade, and although rocky in spots, most can be avoided with dirt paths amongst the rocks. Even if you step on them, they are large and either flat or smoothly rounded. The few pointy ones can easily be avoided. Also a few rooty sections, but most of these can be avoided as well. Note that there is an intersection with another snowmobile trail at .4, but the footpath is obvious.
The hiking trail and snowmobile trail coincide for .2 mi and climb moderately and steadily over a rocky 20-30 foot wide trail that crosses over 3 wooden bridges. The trails split just before the 4th bridge and the hiking trail leaves on the right at a sign.
The final section climbs moderately with some steeper pitches over a rougher trail than the lower section. About halfway, the trail follows some switchbacks with some short easier grades mixed in. There are also several exposed rock slabs close to the summit. Some of these are bordered by a narrow dirt area than can be used to avoid the slabs if wet and slippery. (They were dry today, so no problems whatsoever.) There is no need to use hands to scramble or to grab roots or trailside trees to hoist yourself up. I only mention this as full disclosure for newbies and families so they won't be surprised or won't be discouraged to attempt the hike.
The summit area has the remnants (cement footings) of a structure. They make great chairs. There are also some areas with short drop offs, so keep an eye on any young 'uns. There are unobstructed views to the south for almost 180 degrees and obstructed views to the west. There were some side paths headed east, but I didn't explore these, so there may be some other viewpoints.
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 | Name: |
SpartyHikerfromMaine |
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 | E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2023-05-18 |
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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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