| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Moosilauke - South Peak, Mt. Moosilauke, Mt. Blue, Mt. Jim, NH |
|
 | Trails: |
Gorge Brook Trail, abandoned Gorge Brook Slide Trail, Carriage Road, Beaver Brook Trail, herd path, Asquam Ridge Trail, herd path, Ravine Lodge Road |
|
 | Date of Hike: |
Wednesday, June 26, 2024 |
|
 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Roadside on Ravine Rd. before the fork leading to Moosilauke Ravine Lodge. |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Mud - Significant |
|
 | Recommended Equipment: |
|
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
See the last item in the trail maintenance notes below. |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Gorge Brook: Continued significant erosion and trail creep from people avoiding rocks (???) and mud; South Peak Spur: needs some light brushing; Carriage Road: Needs brushing, noticed that the white AT blazes have been touched up and they are really bright now; Beaver Brook: Needs brushing, one small tree down just uphill from the Asquam Ridge Trail junction; Asquam Ridge Trail: Needs brushing, many trees down, all but two are duck under/widomakers/leaners, the new summit sign for Mt. Jim is along the trail a bit downhill from the herd path to the high point, the footbridge at the upper crossing of Baker River needs to be replaced soon before it collapses as the decking is failing. |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
|
|
 | Bugs: |
Not too bad today as there was a breeze. They didn't have a chance above treeline with the stiff wind. |
|
 | Lost and Found: |
Carried out one granola bar wrapper I found on Gorge Brook Trail. |
|
|
|
|
 | Comments: |
Guess I needed to get another long Moosilauke loop out of my system. :D
All of these trails were wet and muddy as apparently the mountain is shedding a lot of water!
The old slide trail was sketchy in places due to slippery mossy ledges and was more difficult than last time I did it (this was my fourth time on this trail). I went very very slow with careful and deliberate footing. The old corridor is also becoming very overgrown in spots. Above the slide the corridor through the woods is initially clear then slowly fades out. Having done this before I knew where to go.
On the way up to South Peak I met hiker Scott Bruns who mentioned he had dismantled a fire ring at the summit. In an alpine area. WTF people. I scattered the bits more when I got up there.
The summit was in and out of the clouds, windy and cool, but not cold and no rain.
The herd path to Mt. Blue may as well be an official spur path at this point. Aside from some light maintenance, it is in excellent condition. The summit is not recognized.
The very short herd path to the Mt. Jim summit is also clear, and a small cairn marks the high point.
Talked with a SOBO thru-hiker from Missouri who was asking about water sources. He also mentioned that he wanted to camp on the summit so I had to break the bad news to him. Sorry buddy.
Other than him, I saw very few people all day. |
|
 | Name: |
KenM |
|
 | E-Mail: |
kmacgray@gmail.com |
|
| Date Submitted: |
2024-06-26 |
|
 | Link: |
 https:// |
|
|
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. |
|
