| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
None, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Downes Brook Trail, Abandoned Passaconaway Slide Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Thursday, September 28, 2023 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Lot was ~full with a dozen vehicles around noon. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Mud - Minor/Avoidable |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
All of the first four were a bit challenging, especially the third one. For reference, this is the USGS data for today on Saco R. in Conway: 3.28 ft gage ht
646 ft^3/sec discharge
Uphill, I opted to bushwhack and skip the 3rd and 4th crossings of Downes Brook. It took a lot of extra time. The woods were open, but I had to go up pretty high. No herd path whatsoever. Returning, I braved the 4th and 3rd crossings. I turned back, as intended, just before the 5th one, which also looked a bit tricky |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Downes Brook Trail is in well maintained, passable condition. Minor brushing needed in a few places. Lots of step overs in the Sandwich Range Wilderness, and a duck under at the foot of the slide |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Plenty of water for Fido and friends. Saw what seemed like a couple paw prints, but no actual dogs. Your dog will have to swim or wade deeply with today's water levels. |
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 | Bugs: |
Very few. No bites |
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 | Lost and Found: |
Saw no one, and little evidence of recent passage other than part of a tangerine peel. |
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 | Comments: |
I hiked this mostly to scout out the lower part of the abandoned slide trail, in hopes of ascending all the way someday. I can see why it was abandoned.....not a trail for the inexperienced, uphill or downhill. The sign that used to warn against any trail marking or maintenance is missing, but there is a blank piece of white paper stapled to the sign board. As noted above, the stream was a bit high for me, but the first ~500 vertical feet of the slide were not a problem. Keep to the left of the slide, avoid running water and moss, and go into the woods as necessary. I was nearing my turnaround time, so I turned back below a waterfall with a great view of Mt. Potash and the peak above it. Leaves are starting to change. Other than the haze, a great day to be in the woods or on the slide. There was even a tiny garter snake sunning himself.... |
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 | Name: |
D Hart |
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 | E-Mail: |
dhart222222@yahoo.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2023-09-28 |
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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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