| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
None, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Downes Brook Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Wednesday, May 24, 2023 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
The access road had a partial washout during those 5 days of rain a few weeks back. There are now some very deep potholes in that spot. Drive slowly!! |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Oh my starty stars, the water crossings. I lost count. They were just barely crossable for me, noting that I fully dunked one foot at the 4th (or 5th, I lost count) crossing. I don’t think that any would necessarily be dangerous to wade but a person would need to be committed to getting wet to mid thigh, on at least two of them. |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Before the wilderness boundary are some stepover blowdowns. Most are amenable to a hand saw. After the Wilderness boundary there are more than a half dozen stepovers large enough to need a chainsaw with two of them really blocking the trail quite a lot.
There is a washout section during which the trail is very hard to follow. I crossed and realized that the trail didn’t cross there. I was reluctant to cross back and noted sneaker prints where I was - someone else had recently made the same error. I know that in the wilderness we use minimal markings but given how difficult the water crossings are perhaps a giant pile of limbs to block future hikers from crossing at that spot. I can assure you that there are many limbs willing to do that job!! |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
None today - I didn’t see anyone at all. |
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 | Bugs: |
Yup. :( |
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 | Lost and Found: |
There are still some various items at the kiosk (same items that I saw there last week). |
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 | Comments: |
I hiked 4.5 miles of this 5+ mile trail. I turned back when the sky went dark and the rain started in earnest. This occurred at 830am, many hours before the forecast. But no worries, on the way back I meandered, because of course the rain stopped after a short time, and therefore I had extra time to appreciate the FOUR bucket artifacts that I saw. FOUR buckets! On one hike! Lucky me!!
I thought that was great but then there were the painted trillium! Everywhere!!
It’s a terrific trail and I am looking forward to going back to see the last bit of this great trail!! |
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 | Name: |
Bikecamphikegirl |
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 | E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2023-05-24 |
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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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