| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
None, NH |
|
 | Trails: |
Ravine Lodge Road, Putts Path, Al Merrill Ski Loop, Asquam Rodge Trail, Gorge Brook Trail |
|
 | Date of Hike: |
Tuesday, December 19, 2023 |
|
 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Moved a dozen or so limbs and pieces of fallen tree debris |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Ice - Black, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Ice - Breakable Crust, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Mud - Significant, Leaves - Significant/Slippery, Snow/Ice - Small Patches |
|
 | Recommended Equipment: |
Light Traction |
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
The trails ARE the water crossing currently |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Maintenance-wise, trails were in great shape, despite significant water coursing down the pathway. |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Saw one SUV driving in as I was leaving |
|
 | Bugs: |
Nope |
|
 | Lost and Found: |
Nope |
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|
 | Comments: |
While I had a route in mind which would have had me up on the Al Merrill Ski loop to ascend onto the Blue Ridge. Plans were loose, if trails weren’t atrociously soggy, was going to visit Waternomee, but one look at the start of the trail -, all running water, or flowing mud. It wouldn’t be hard to sink 6-10” on most areas of trail, currently. So, I puttered around on the more solid roadbed surface of the actual access roads, ran several miles without ever leaving the Ravine Lodge compound.
Hopped on Putts Path for a quick pass of the 0.8-mi, semi-wooded old logging road (winter route). Putts Path alternated between flowing water down the path, to standing water, or even the occasional mildly wet patch.
This was a recon mission to see how the trails fared. A summit was never on the table unless conditions were abnormally dry. Well, they aren’t. The trails would benefit from several days to shed their rain water. While conditions may be “tolerable” at elevation, it’s the getting there that will destroy these water logged trails. I know this report will only get folks out on the trails - but a word of caution, give the trails a few days to dry out - your grids aren’t going anywhere. |
|
 | Name: |
Erik Hamilton |
|
 | E-Mail: |
ehamilton9481@gmail.com |
|
| Date Submitted: |
2023-12-19 |
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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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