| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Doublehead Mountain - Northeast Peak, Doublehead Mountain - East Peak, Doublehead Mountain - West Peak, Mt. Squam, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Crawford Ridgepole Trail, bushwhack |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Tuesday, October 17, 2023 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Roadside parking at the start of Crawford Ridgepole Trail on Sandwich Notch Rd. is iffy with mud and protruding rocks. I parked in a good pulloff a short distance to the east. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Significant |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Overall this route was in pretty good shape. Some water bars looked recently cleaned, some were still full, and some looked like they'd been "self-cleaned" by the steep grades. Blazing is a mix of older paint and newer plastic. The bog bridges above the chimney scramble are disintegrated with spikes sticking up (trip hazard). One stretch of trail between the Doublehead and Squam is very wet and muddy and could use bog bridges. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
I wouldn't bring a dog on this hike due to the steep scramble near the start. |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
I did this as an out-and-back so I guess I'm a glutton for punishment or something.
Right from the road, the hike starts steep and stays steep up to the ridge. The chimney scramble up through the cliffs is "interesting" for sure. I contemplated how to get up this but ultimately decided to bushwhack around (did the same coming back down). In the ascending direction, there is an extremely steep (70 degrees or so) gully on the left that requires bushwhacking back to the trail. On the right is a herd path bypass. This involves a few steps that are literally on the lip of a cliff but there are trees to grab on to. This scramble could be improved if a small boulder were placed at the bottom of the slot as a step; this would make reaching the footholds easier.
Once above this, the walking is much better and more gentle. The more rugged footing and numerous ups and downs begin around Doublehead and continue over to Squam. This ridge is definitely a workout. I considered continuing on to Percival but didn't have time.
The bushwhack to NE Doublehead is very brief and easy. I found two slight bumps on top; neither had a register and there are a smattering of old cairns on both.
Aside from a few muddy spots, these trails were dry to damp. There are still a lot of leaves on the trees but there's also enough leaf cover on the ground where hidden hazards like rocks and roots are a thing to be mindful of again. Since this end of the ridge sees light foot traffic, some ledges were mossy and slick.
From Squam, I could hear people on Percival but I didn't see another soul all day. |
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 | Name: |
KenM |
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 | E-Mail: |
kmacgray@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2023-10-17 |
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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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