| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Roberts, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Mt. Roberts Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Tuesday, May 23, 2023 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
I parked in the hiking/event parking area using the entrance by the pond. There is another entrance to this area across from the kiosk. The road was signed at this point indicating foot traffic only beyond that point. There is a .2 mi walk from this parking area to the trailhead, probably .3 from the lower parking area.
Continue walking along the paved road and bear left at the fork (both forks signed with main trails named). After a short uphill, there is a sign in a grassy area to the right of the road directing to Mt Roberts trail head. Follow the grassy path into the woods and the trail head sign is attached to a large tree at the entrance to the woods. After that follow the orange markings.
I was the first one to arrive at a little after 7AM. Upon return at 11AM, there were six cars in the area where I parked and 4 in the lower area. I imagine this gets busier after this weekend. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
One nearly dry stream/drainage with some mud at about 1 mile. Easy walk through the mud. Possible this might be more significant after substantial rainy period, but still should be an easy step over. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Trail is very well blazed with Orange diamonds attached to trees. Occasionally I could see older painted orange blazes on some trees.
Ledge areas have cairns and blazes painted on rocks. Rock blazes are faded. You do need to look carefully to ensure you are following the correct path, but there are markings of some sort to help. All major turns well marked.
Trail junction near start is marked and signed. There were no blow downs of any kind across the trail. I don't think I have ever been on a trail with none? |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Trail has little to no water and I did not hear any flowing water from the trail. Terrain is generally dog friendly. One hiker with canine passed me on the way up and we visited at the summit. One solo and one couple with a canine each passed me going up on my way down. Only saw one other couple on trail, and they did not have a canine with them. So guess this is a popular trail with the pups. |
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 | Bugs: |
None upon arrival, but they appeared as soon as I entered the woods. Starting temp was 51 and there was no wind, so guess that allowed them to swarm the hikers. I met the canine-less couple at about the half-mile mark, dressed in shorts and t-shirts swatting away. They asked if I had any bug spray, so I let them use my picaridin. They were just young kids, definitely under 40. Always be kind, you might be in a situation someday where you need some kindness. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
Found numerous view points. |
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 | Comments: |
Trail starts out on wide forest floor with a few avoidable rocks and roots at an easy grade with one steeper pitch. After a turn near an open field and barn of some sort the trail narrows and rocks become more prevalent and there are some steep pitches mixed in with more moderate grade. About mid-way is the first open ledge with views from the trail. (There is an earlier viewpoint, but it is off a short side trail.) From here the trail is more ledgey for the duration with a few dirt segments. Grades from here are generally moderate with a couple of short steep pitches and a number of flatter segments. (See Trail Maintenance section for comments on navigation, i.e. trail markings.)
Notes for families, elderly and inexperienced: There are a number of step ups that may be difficult for people with short legs (e.g. kids) or stiff joints (e.g. elderly), but most of these can be avoided or navigated with careful route scouting. There are some dirt shoulders available in some cases. Some of the ledges are slanted and could be tricky for some on the descent. As long as people go slow and take care there is no reason to avoid this trail. There is nothing that requires using hands to scramble on ascents or descents. I would recommend trek poles for anyone with balance or leg/foot issues, and learn how to used them properly. |
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 | Name: |
SpartyHikerfromMaine |
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 | E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2023-05-23 |
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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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