| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Ripley Falls, Falcon Cliff, Frankenstein Cliff, Fawn Pool, Coliseum Falls, Bemis Brook Falls, Arethusa Falls, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Ethan Pond Trail, Arethusa-Ripley Falls Trail, Frankenstein Cliff Trail, Falcon Cliff Trail, Frankenstein Cutoff, Bemis Brook Trail, Arethusa Falls Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Sunday, October 15, 2023 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
We used the Ethan Pond lot |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Leaves - Significant/Slippery |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Crossing at Ripley Falls takes the most care. All others were unremarkable, some bridged on the way to Arethusa Falls from the southern lot. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Big blowdown on Arethusa-Ripley trail at 2400’. A lot of branch breaking going on, young herd paths forming. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Quite a few happy boys and girls today |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
Foliage is passing up in Crawford Notch, with some areas having passed already. The significant leaf option is listed only because in certain places on trail the maples and birches have really dropped their leaves. These trails see so much action, it’s incredible and also sad. The Ripley-Arethusa trail has some of the worst of it...a lot of erosion, and trail creeping to say the least. There’s also a lot of material to work with should the state or FS decide to get involved.
The carnage from last spring’s fire is clear, although around the junction for Falcon Cliff it did open up some beautiful views to the south. However, Falcon Cliff’s outlook is still superior. Evidence of the fire is on a small section of the trail, but less than expected. The view from Frankenstein Cliff is great, and you can see all the people at the parking lot that you’ll be running into shortly. Descending Frankenstein Cliff trail is doable but steep, with loose rock and leaf mixed together. We took our time coming through these sections. Once past the trestle, the final more level stretch to the lot has a lot of the same trail creep and surprisingly faded blazes (for the popularity of the trail). We saw a number of folks off trail...eek.
On our way up the Arethusa Falls trail we decided to hit the Bemis Brook trail and enjoy the falls. Coliseum was our favorite. We made the steep climb out to the upper junction and retraced in the .4 of Arethusa Falls trail we missed. We probably lost about 30 minutes total on this trail alone with people asking us how much further. Disappointment came when we said there was at least a mile left every time. Finally making it to Arethusa Falls, the rocks were peppered with people looking like little ants crawling around. We took in the vastness and got on our way. The climb back up to the ridge was good, with one final small pitch before walking the ridge, and returning to the Ethan Pond trailhead. Met a few late starts, hopeful to make it to the Cliffs or Falls. Afternoon light is fading by at least two minutes each day now! Be safe. |
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 | Name: |
bria, Nordic_gal |
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 | E-Mail: |
breahmaria@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2023-10-16 |
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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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