| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Welch Mountain, Dickey Mountain, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Welch-Dickey Loop Trail, bushwhack |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, August 24, 2024 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Large, well-maintained lot. The short roads leading in past the big sign may be used as well. Please obey the no parking on this side signs on the regular road in. Let's respect the neighbors and keep everyone happy. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Minor step overs |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Excellent. Not one blow down. Signs have been placed where one might accidently go off the trail. Thanks! |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Many well-behaved dogs with their responsible owners were there. Dogs must be leashed in the area where revegetation is going on. Most of the loop is dry, bring enough water for both yourself and your dog. Watch the ledges! |
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 | Bugs: |
A few beautiful butterflies. A few skeets at sunset. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
My way at the end, ever so briefly. Details below. |
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 | Comments: |
We went CCW, which is the preferred way for most folks. Ledges up Welch are steeper; this gets them out of the way. The descent from Dickey gives you endless views. Views were great. Although this is a popular hike, it did not seem crowded at all. Took me forever, due to not enough sleep the night before and getting spoiled walking around the Fort Ord Monument in California (my son teaches at Cal State, Monterey Bay, this huge place has many miles of "challenging" trails). So good old Welch-Dickey was a challenge.
I think this was our fourth visit. Previously, while on the summit of Dickey, we noticed a cairn in the middle of a large flat area. It's not on the official map, but on the Map Adventures Map that just about everyone uses there is a spur. Although it was late in the afternoon, we decided to check it out. If you do, be careful, the herd paths are obscure. Gorgeous, actually nicer than the official summits. Descent was beautiful, late in the day gives that great alpenglow. Almost made it out just after sunset, and here's where I share my mistake.
I usually don't put my headlamp on until I can no longer see the green in the foliage. So there is a section where there is a larger sign marking the trail. I think it may have been for a neighborhood trail that parallels the road. Came out the few 50 feet onto what I though would be the parking lot. Figured I wasn't too far off, and a nice neighbor confirmed this. Was back at the car in less than 10 minutes. Lesson learned - the lights go on BEFORE you need them. |
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 | Name: |
Beckie and Prema |
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 | E-Mail: |
beckiejani@yahoo.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2024-08-25 |
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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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