| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Moosilauke, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Tunnel Brook Trail, Benton Trail, Beaver Brook Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, August 12, 2023 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
four other cars when we arrived at 10:15 am and room for a few more. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Tunnel Brook crossing at 0.2 mi on Benton was high |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
No blowdowns or difficult spots other than some mud |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Saw one and he was doing great - nice trail for them with moderate grades and lots of water |
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 | Bugs: |
Gnats and a few mosquitos - manageable although annoying in late afternoon on Benton though summit winds kept them away there. We did spray up before starting and reapplied at the 1.3 mi mark on descent. No ticks thankfully despite the brushy Tunnel Brook passage. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
Blue flip flop-style water shoe found near the Brook crossing - apparently not from today as we found it upon ascent and it was still there unclaimed when we descended. |
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 | Comments: |
Tunnel Brook crossing at 0.2 mi on Benton was high and on ascent we decided to remove our shoes and wade through, in part because our sons with their autism don’t hike with poles and we didn’t want wet boots to start. Of the four other cars in the lot, we met three parties, all of which just crossed fast and it worked for them. On descent because it was late/we were tired, we waded across in our shoes and just squished our way back to the car. I swear the water level was higher on descent.
Upon reading Steve Smith’s 2022 blog on this road-less traveled to Moosilauke’s summit we wanted to give it a go. It’s indeed a lovely approach with mostly moderate grades and easier than Beaver Brook’s steeps, especially suitable with rain in the forecast. Lots of mud and running water on the trail but not troublesome. That triumphal final 0.4 up the Beaver Brook Tr. never grows old, as when you emerge at treeline and mountain silhouettes line the skies Thankfully the forecast rains never came despite a dark cloud or two passing by on the summit. Also we enjoyed the limited viewpoint of the Kinsmans at the 1.3 mi mark on Benton.
We two parents struggled on ascent today, not sure why, so we probably posted the worlds worst time. But we made it! |
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 | Name: |
TwinMom+1 |
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 | E-Mail: |
mk@mkmarinac.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2023-08-12 |
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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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