| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Hitchcock - South Peak, Mt. Hitchcock - Middle Peak, Mt. Hitchcock - West Peak, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Discovery Trail, FR397, skidder roads, bushwhack, FR397A |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Tuesday, December 26, 2023 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Probably only ones in the Discovery Trail Parking lot today. Facilities are open. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Snow - Trace/Minimal Depth, Wet Trail, Leaves - Significant/Slippery |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Rock hops |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Not ideal for pups |
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 | Bugs: |
Spotted a few |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
Started up the Discovery Trail to FR397. FR397 was a little overgrown w/lots of blowdowns, but saved time and energy. Took the right fork at an intersection around 2300, that shortly faded into the woods. Bushwhacked back towards stream to find a skidder road that may have been the left fork. At around 2600 we crossed the stream, and decided to take a direct line in the open woods to the South summit, which seemed to be less steep than heading towards the COL. Popped out on the open ridge right at the summit.
Followed the open ridge to the middle peak summit avoiding the blow down patch by staying westerly. From Middle, decided to bag the West peak as well. Instead of heading directly to the COL and on to the summit, decided to swing slightly north to avoid the steepest descent. Route was still very steep in open woods. Descended a little further than intended, so climbed back up 50-100 ft back to COL. This small stretch was the only tight forest encountered all day. Hike from the COL open forest hike to the West peak was gradual; and we found a Mylar b-day balloon to top off our adventure.
Headed south off the West summit staying east of the ridge to avoid blowdowns. Encountered the stream at 2300. Decided to parallel the stream remaining west of the drainage, following old skidder roads that may have been part of old 387A. They petered out at lower elevations, so we crossed the stream at about 1750 to join with FR397 to head out. The descent was in open woods the whole way. Great day out with Mark S and Bill. |
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 | Name: |
CookiesOnTop |
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 | E-Mail: |
schwarzmc at yahoo |
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| Date Submitted: |
2023-12-26 |
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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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