| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Hale, NH |
|
 | Trails: |
Hale Brook Trail, Lend-A-Hand Trail, Twinway, Zealand Trail, Zealand Road |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Tuesday, July 2, 2024 |
|
 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
The Hale Brook trailhead parking is in good condition. No fee.
The paved section of Zealand has been patched up so there are no voids in the tar. The gravel stretch on Zealand Road is in good condition. |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
All brooks were easily crossed on rocks or using a bridge |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
No obstructions. There is a slight intrusion of brush in to the Lend-A-Hand Trail in open areas. Does not hide the trail and may die back in the winter.
One plank on two bog bridges on the Lend-A-Hand Trail are broken and there is some wear on others. Most of the bog bridges are in good condition. In all cases, the bog bridges proved useful. A bog bridge on the Lend-A-Hand Trail not far from the junction with the Twinway is totally broken but it was not essential to passage. New rock steps have been installed between the Zealand Hut and the junction of the Twinway with the Lend-A-Hand Trail. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Fine for dogs. |
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 | Bugs: |
The only bugs were in the parking area and the road. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
Most surfaces on the Hale Brook Trail and the Lend-A-Hand Trail were wet. The Hale Brook Trail just above a small brook crossing at 1.7 miles (above the two crossings of Hale Brook) had water running down the trail (not deep). There were many spots of mud, standing water, and running water on the Lend-A-Hand Trail. Even so, one can get by the spots rather easily.
There was one patch of Mountain Avens in bloom on the ledges of Whitewall Brook near the hut. On Lend-A-Hand Trail there were some Bog Laurel and Meadowsweet (Spiraea) in bloom. On Zealand Trail there was Small Purple-fringed Orchid and Joe Pye Weed.
Zealand Falls as well as the cascades above and below the falls on Whitewall Brook were flowing well.
A young hiker spotted a green frog on the Twinway neat the junction with Zealand Trail.
The water was low on Zealand Pond below the hut with an extensive mud flat.
Had a nice conversation with Brady and Hailey (Sp?) who maintain a section of the Crawford Path. Also met an REI adventure group, a group of college hikers including NU students, north bound AT hikers, and many hikers going to the hut. There was one hiker who was going from Mt Hale over to the Twins and down to 13 Falls campground. |
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 | Name: |
WAUMBEK |
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 | E-Mail: |
WAUMBEK@Roadrunner.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2024-07-12 |
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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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