| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Scaur Peak, The Fool Killer, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Pine Bend Brook Trail, Bushwhack |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Thursday, December 21, 2023 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Plenty of space on shoulder of north side of Kanc to ensure car was completely of the road. 2 others on 10 AM arrival, only 1 remaining at 4PM finish. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Ice - Black, Snow - Trace/Minimal Depth, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Snow/Ice - Small Patches |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Light Traction |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Rock hops, but many rocks were covered in a thin crust of ice requiring some searching for the best crossing location. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Couple of blowdowns on PBBT: one recent (smaller tree w/multiple branches) did not have a herd path around, yet. Others small step overs. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Would not recommend BW for pups. |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
Wanted to grab both NHHH peaks in a large lollypop loop. Decided to ascend PBBT anticipating (correctly) a lot of slick packed snow and ice flows. Trail starts with packed snow covering and intermittent patches of mostly frozen leafy covered, root & rock trail. As expected, rocks in all water crossings had a thin cover of ice, requiring some searching for the best crossing location. We bare booted much of the lower section since there were many patches of leafy ground.
As the incline increased along the stream, there was more water flowing on the trail, and many patches of ice. We decided to put on spikes at the final water crossing; used rock spikes due to the many upcoming patches of rock steps. Spikes stayed on until the last 1/2 mile, but maybe should have remained on due to the slippery/icy trail.
Followed a moose herd path to and from the summit of Scaur. Lots of indications of recent moose activity in this area. Proceeded about 0.4 miles further up PBBT to a point where the trail takes a right turn to the North peak before jumping into the woods. This section of the PBBT seemed to have monorail setting up; looked like late spring.
Slabbed through the woods down to the Col, then up very open woods to the FK summit. Snow very supportive; snowshoes would have been a hindrance by getting stuck in exposed branches, sticks, etc. Proceeded north along the ridge, and back down to PBBT. Ridge initially very open, but spruce thickened on the descent down the steep hillside to PBBT. Not terrible, but more of an annoyance. Would have been better with more packed snow that covered the hobble bush. Joined the PBBT for the last 1 1/4 mile back to the TH. Thanks for Mark S for a great hike in the woods. |
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 | Name: |
CookiesOnTop |
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 | E-Mail: |
schwarzmc at yahoo |
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| Date Submitted: |
2023-12-22 |
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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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