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Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks Mt. Pliny, Mt. Pliny - West Peak, NH
Trails
Trails: Priscilla Brook Trail, bushwhack
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Monday, November 20, 2023
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: Room for maybe two vehicles (if the other knows how to park), last year this small, old trailhead lot was full of snow from plowing.  
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Snow - Trace/Minimal Depth, Snow - Unpacked Powder, Mud - Significant 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment: Light Traction 
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: No water crossings, also not on a maintained trail.  
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes: 'twas a joy to roam the old trail corridor, however, no maintenance required as maintenance had ceased back in the early 1980s.  
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes: Don't do it, I would never bring a dog on a bushwhack like this, no matter what time of the year it is - hunting season or not.  
Bugs
Bugs: Only snowflakes floating in the air today, after seeing mosquitoes just last week.  
Lost and Found
Lost and Found: Nothing, all good, I'd say.  
 
Comments
Comments: Began this bushwhack ascent by utilizing the old trailhead pull-off on Ingerson Road before winter claims it yet again (not plowed as far as I have found). The old trail corridor is growing in, easily discernable to start, soon grew brushy overhead and soggy underfoot. Needless to say, I, very soon into the hike, diverged and found better woods slightly east. Land owner has signs indicating No Hunting on their land (many thanks).

After a quick, band of horrendously tight hobblebush which actively guards the base of West Pliny, the climbing became somewhat easier - ultimately highly rewarded upon reaching the summit area, fine view of Pliny Mtn from the summit area. Hit the col (thanks to using a map) and found traces of remaining herd path, which I graciously followed. Climbing Pliny was a dream come true, beautiful woods, 1-2" of fresh powder underfoot, no snow falling off branches - I think the morning wind took care of that. Even the high point of Pliny was super cool, several knobs and bumps to choose from, if one ever wanted to spend time admiring the old old birches as sometimes I like to do.

So, the descent. Followed my tracks in the snow back to the col and struck off WSW in search of ye ol' Priscilla Brook Trail, thought perhaps I'd have a go at following that corridor and avoid unnecessary elevation gain - big mistake. Anywhere near the old trail, or near Priscilla Brook itself was soggy. Very grassy, in clumps which liked to hide the 4-6" of muck underneath. Fought to sidehill, in an attempt to stay at a higher elevation band than the boggy mud. Eventually found what looked like an old forest/logging road but may have actually been a surprisingly dry section of PBT, followed that until it grew soggy too and dipped off southeastwardly - in search of my ascending tracks, which were overall dry.

Great day in the Kilkenny mtns, remarkable tract of forest for some splendid rambling as the flurries fell.

For further details, life-like color photography, and all the fun you've come to expect from these write-ups - feel free to check out the link below, to read on (and party on).  
Name
Name: Erik Hamilton 
E-Mail
E-Mail: ehamilton9481@gmail.com 
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2023-11-21 
Link
Link: https://www.atalkinthewoods.com/trail-reports/pliny-mountain 
Bookmark and Share 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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