| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Hayes, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Mahoosuc Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Sunday, February 25, 2024 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Parking for 8 cars in plowed lot off Rt 16 under the trestle bridge. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Ice - Blue, Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Snow/Ice - Postholes |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes, Light Traction |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Many that are easily crossed. 1 bushwhack 2.2 miles in avoids worst water crossing. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Two 12" diameter blowdowns about .15 miles before the intersections for Mascot Pond. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Saw many prints, looks dog friendly, |
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 | Bugs: |
None |
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 | Lost and Found: |
None |
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 | Comments: |
Parked off Rt 16 under the bridge. Lot is plowed and has parking for about 8 cars. After an interesting metal bridge crossing under the trestle, took a left to get on the Mohoosuc Trail. You can follow Mohoosuc Trail to Hogan Road, over a wooden bridge and eventually back on Mohoosuc Trail to Hogan Rd to Mohoosuc Trail. You’ll see Mohoosuc Trail and AMC signs along the way.
1.3 miles in there’s an intersection for Mascot Pond which we skipped. Followed Mohoosuc Trail over many crossable and nearly frozen small streams, crossed some power lines and a snowmobile road (at 1.8-2.1 miles in), and around a bushwack .1 miles after you cross the snow mobile road) to avoid a messy section of the trail.
Eventually you come to some ledges near Mt Hayes for excellent views of Mt. Washington and Adams plus other NH48 and 52WAV peaks. Go a little further to a wooded summit and meet the Centennial Trail to the AT (very little views there).
Seems most of the traffic on the trail is up to the pond. After that the trail was lightly traveled by a handful of snowshoers till you get up to the ledges, peak, and the Centennial Trail. Seems most summit Hayes by way of the Centennial Trail.
Snow depth varied from 8-20 inches. Micro spikes OK in the morning (was 2-8 degrees the night before) till you get to the Mascot Pond. After that snowshoes were needed to avoid post holing. On the way down used snowshoes all the way back to the bridge as afternoon temps got to the mid-30’s and made the snow soft. Expecting temps in the 40’s this coming week, likely requiring snowshoes all the time or skipping the trail. Only saw 2 other hikers all day. Only saw a pair of snowmobiles on the way back after sunset on Hogan Road on our way back. |
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 | Name: |
MikeR |
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 | E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2024-02-25 |
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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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