| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mizpah Hut, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Dry River Trail, Mt. Clinton Trail, Dry River Cutoff |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Sunday, July 14, 2024 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Limited roadside parking at the Dry River trailhead. Easy to fit 5 cars, extra could squeeze in along the road. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Mud - Significant |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Most significant crossing was of the Mount Clinton Trail, just past the junction with Dry River Trail. Water levels are extremely low--even this huge crossing could be rock hopped easily. Lots of smaller crossings were no issue. I did have to ford one crossing at the bottom of Dry River Cutoff, where there were no good rock hopping options. I would still recommend water shoes for this area, to make it easier to ford if needed (although with such low water levels, you'd be fine without them). |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Mount Clinton Trail is very hard to follow at the lowest .25 mile. Not sure what to do about this since it's largely due to washouts. Otherwise the trail is in surprisingly good shape aside from a few minor blowdowns. Dry River Cutoff could use a serious brush clipping, around the half-way point. It also has several significant blowdowns that block the trail, below the intersection with Mount Clinton. Dry River Trail is in great shape aside from the extreme washouts. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
I don't think most dogs would do well with the washouts on Dry River Trail, but I did see one dog out there. Aside from the washouts, most of these trails are flat and soft underfoot and good for dogs. |
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 | Bugs: |
Tons of bugs of all varieties. You can get bit by every type. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
Dry River Trail has no major issue up to the Mount Clinton intersection. There is one minor washout early on, just before the suspension bridge, which has a nice herdpath reroute around it. Mount Clinton Trail is VERY hard to follow in the first 0.25-0.5 miles. I highly recommend GPS in this area. Afterwards, though, it's a wide woods-road type of deal. It crosses back and forth over a small stream many times and is wet and muddy in many areas. However, it is soft and lovely and mostly well maintained.
Dry River Cutoff has some significant brushy sections and lots of deep mud criss-crossed by rotting bog bridges. However, it is mostly easy to follow except for a few small brook crossings that are unclear. Overall, these trails should not be attempted by anyone but those who are very confident in their trail-finding abilities. These trails are very rugged and wild and should be treated with care.
Between the Mount Eisenhower and Mount Clinton Trail junctions, Dry River Trail has 2 very extreme washouts that force you to cross over very steep, unconsolidated rock and dirt slides hundreds of feet above the river to get to the other side. These are very dangerous and would only get worse in wet weather. Not only this, but long sections of the trail are now perched right at the edge of a very long fall down to the valley below. I think anyone attempting this trail should be very aware of the washout situation and if they are unsure, should not attempt the section of Dry River Trail between the two aforementioned intersections. These crossings are hundreds of feet above the river on a steep cliff. Any kind of slip and fall in these areas could be fatal.
The trail is rugged and beautiful with 2 lovely dispersed campsites and many gorgeous swimming holes. I found the whole section below the Mount Clinton intersection to be very lovely and reasonably accessible. |
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 | Name: |
BBQeel |
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 | E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2024-07-14 |
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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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