NewEnglandTrailConditions.com
NewEnglandTrailConditions.com:
MA
|
ME
|
NH
|
RI/CT
|
VT
|
Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks Mt. Chocorua, NH
Trails
Trails: Champney Falls Trail, Piper Trail, Liberty Trail, West Side Trail
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Sunday, July 7, 2024
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: Parking lot about 2/3 full at 8:50am completely full with some cars parked on the road at 1:30pm. No issues otherwise. 
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Significant 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment:  
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: All water crossing were easy to rock hop, despite the rains last night and yesterday. 
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes: One large tree down on Champney Falls trail, but easy to step over. Some signs on the higher slopes should probably be replaced, it is getting difficult to read them, likely from just being old and worn. West Side trail is quite overgrown in parts. Minor issues following Piper and Liberty trails only on the summit cone ledges, some more blazes would easily solve that problem. 
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes:  
Bugs
Bugs: Very few, so relieved bug season is over! A few mosquitos buzzed in my ear and a couple of flies at summit, but no bites, didn't need any bug spray. 
Lost and Found
Lost and Found: None 
 
Comments
Comments: Despite hot temperatures on 16, it was not too bad on the slopes, or even at the parking lot on 112. Overall, I'd say the hike was 50/50 wet trail/dry trail. Near the brook crossings there was often standing and running water, and significant mud. Most of the rocks all the way up to Piper trail were wet, mostly not slippery but there were enough to say watch where you step. This is my first time doing Champney Falls since 2017, so I am happy to see that it has remained well maintained, though the bridge over the first brook crossing that was washed away in 2011 was never re-built. Liberty trail could use some better blazing, especially on the way down. Ended up off trail and re-gained the trail about 0.1 mi from where I wanted to be. The summit plaque is quite worn and barley legible. 360 degree views at summit and well-worth the effort. West Side trail is pretty, but very clearly rarely used. Trees have encroached well into the trail in parts, making the trail almost indistinguishable from the surrounding forest. Can now knock West Side trail off my redline list.  
Name
Name: Mountain goat 
E-Mail
E-Mail:  
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2024-07-07 
Link
Link: https:// 
Bookmark and Share 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.

Copyright 2009-2024, All Rights Reserved