| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Hayes, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Centennial Trail, Mahoosuc Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Monday, April 29, 2024 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Hogan Road was in good condition. Rock aggregate had been applied in one section to firm up the roadbed. The parking area across from the trailhead is small. There is another clearing off Hogan Road just before the trailhead. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Snow - Wet/Sticky, Snow - Spring Snow |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Minor brooks were easy to cross |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
The Centennial Trail (AT) has two large tree falls.
There is a large pine across the trail not too far from the trailhead. It is ~2" diameter with many broken branches. The off trail circumvention of this blockage is easy.
There is a large hardwood across the trail perhaps 2 or so miles from the trailhead. About 1.5' diameter tree with some smaller trees knocked down. Probably the best way to get by this mess is to walk around but one can try to slip through the tree and its branches if you don't have a pack.
Otherwise, I cleared out many smaller tree falls and downed branches. There remains many other tree falls on the ground that are easy step overs. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Fine for dogs |
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 | Bugs: |
None! |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
The first two miles of the Centennial Trail was easy hiking on bare ground with leaf cover. The leaves can be slippery especially on descent. After about two miles there is a mix of conditions. The path alternated with snow cover and bare ground (including ledges). There are many pools of melt water either as open puddles or beneath the snow. Often a step in the softening snow ended up with a plunge into the underlying water. It was impossible to keep the feet dry even with snow hiking boots and gaiters. The maximum snow depth was about 1.5" with much of the snow at a lower thickness. The Mahoosuc Trail over Mt Hayes to the southwest viewing ledge is much the same mixture of conditions. If you don't want to endure these type of conditions, it would be advised you wait a week or two for the snow to melt. I do not know if the Mahoosuc Trail from Gorham has less transition season ground conditions.
The views from the outlook ledge (just off the Mahoosuc Trail) are exceptional including Pinkham Notch, Presidential Peaks, Mt Martha / Owls Head, Carters, and the peaks in Randolph. Some views from other spots including at the junction of Centennial Trail and Mahoosuc where the Percy Peaks can be seen.
The only hiker I met was a man from Bethel ME who was training for an upcoming Mahoosuc traverse in a day.
Saw no wildflowerrs. |
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 | Name: |
WAUMBEK |
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 | E-Mail: |
WAUMBEK@Roadrunner.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2024-04-29 |
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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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