| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
None, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Bickford Trail, Brook Trail, logging roads |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Monday, July 31, 2023 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Parked on 113A, room for two cars...three if everyone parks smart. Access to this trailhead on 113A from Tamworth proper is a no go, the bridge at Swift River is still closed. Most direct access from the Route 16 or Route 25 corridors would be to travel through the center of Tamworth via 113, taking Great Hill Road, to Pease Hill Road, connecting you to 113A just south of Ferncroft. GPS did show the portion of 113A closed from Chocorua Lake Road to the Big Pines Natural Area. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Mud - Significant |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Whiten Brook was an easy rock hop. I dunked a foot each time (out and back) crossing Paugus Brook, but preferred it to trying to hunt down a route with all rocks above water; I didn't see one that wasn't tedious or much further up/down stream. Water was flowing nicely, plenty manageable. Claybark Brook before the final climb to Brook trail was no trouble. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Two notable blowdowns within a short distance of each other on the section of Bickford trail between the Brook Trail and the logging road crossing. One duck under, on stepover. Email sent to WODC. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
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 | Bugs: |
Fierce the whole hike, a quicker pace kept them mostly at bay. Brook Trail, mosquitoes were at their rumored ferocity. I did not apply any repellent today for the record. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
Found a rake assumed to belong to a WODC maintainer. Email sent to WODC. |
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 | Comments: |
I tore out of the house to finally enjoy a gorgeous day after spending the morning reluctantly playing phone tag, and adulting...
This trail is in good shape, and not heavily used. Stick flicking with my hiking poles was a good way to pass the time. The first three quarters of a mile pass through a couple of private residential properties, there are plenty of signs and markings to keep you respectfully on trail. A few mucky heel sucking spots heading up to the HOL of the Whiten Ridge, then its pretty breezy down to the junction with Paugus Trail. Crossing here was easy, as was Claybark Brook (noted above). Not much else of note to add, except to say there are plenty of mushrooms in full force out there...and some were of the quite delectable species! |
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 | Name: |
bria |
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 | E-Mail: |
breahmaria@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2023-07-31 |
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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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