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Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks Mt. Crawford, Stairs Mountain, Mt. Resolution, NH
Trails
Trails: Davis Path, Crawford Spur, Stairs Side Trail, Mt. Parker Trail
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Friday, August 23, 2024
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: plenty of parking in the large lot off Rte. 302 right next to the Saco. 
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment:  
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: None of any significance 
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes: Two significant blowdowns blocking the trail on Davis between Crawford and Mt. Parker trail junction. One is easily a duck under, the other looks like most go around. 
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes: A few happy pups on the trail both days.  
Bugs
Bugs: Only a few mosquitos on our way out close to the trailhead on the second day 
Lost and Found
Lost and Found:  
 
Comments
Comments: Single night overnight on Stairs Mtn. This has been on our list for awhile and it didn't disappoint! The last mile up to Crawford was a bit of a grind due to the eroded trail and our heavy packs. Crawford has such an amazing view of the Presidential Range and the vast Dry River Wilderness, which I think may be my favorite among all the Wilderness areas in NH - so beautiful and rugged. Davis path from Crawford to the Parker trail junction is such a great stretch of trail with that remote feeling we are all chasing. We knew water was going to be a challenge and we didn't find any along the trail so we put the effort into hiking down to the old Resolution shelter site and kept our ears to the distance. Soon enough we heard the sweet sound of water trickling in the small ravine ~20 yards from the old shelter site. It was flowing relatively well and cold and was nice and clear after filtering. Well worth the short effort of hiking down and back to the site since we needed plenty of water to get us through the night on Stairs.
We were pleasantly surprised to arrive on Stairs to an empty campsite and it stayed that way all night. In fact we only saw one other person over the next 14 hours who arrived just after sunrise. Had a nice time chatting with Alex (hello if he is reading this) and trading stories of all our adventures and list chasing. we laid on the bare summit of Stairs for hours looking at the sunset and then all the amazing stars, meteors and satellites. It was a brisk night with a constant wind but we were nice and protected at the tent site. Woke up for sunrise which was a bit obstructed from the trees on the east side of Stairs. All and all such an amazing overnight. We hit Resolution on the way out which was also provided a beautiful view from the summit ledges. The one water source on Mt. Parker trail was flowing and we filtered a liter just in case but didn't end of drinking it as it looked like iced tea. I'm sure it would've been fine but we rationed until we got closer to the car. What a great overnight! One for the books for us! Had a nice chat with the Forest Ranger who was rerouting the lower section of Davis away from the swampy area just after Bemis Bridge.  
Name
Name: G. Mullen 
E-Mail
E-Mail: mulleng@hotmail.com 
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2024-08-25 
Link
Link: https://www.youtube.com/@gregthehikingfool5643 
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.

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