| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Carrigain, South Hancock, North Hancock, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Sawyer River Road, Signal Ridge Trail, Desolation Trail, Wilderness Trail, Cedar Brook Trail, Hancock Loop Trail, Hancock Notch Trail, Sawyer River Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Sunday, September 15, 2024 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Parked at the end of Sawyer river road as it is still closed because of he washout. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Water levels are very low right now so all crossings were no issue |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Wilderness trail by the old stove at camp 18 could use a haircut/brushing. Cedar brook trail past camp 24 had at least 6 larger blowdowns that are completely blocking the trail, 2 of them have fallen directly into, not across the trail |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
Found serenity in the woods today |
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 | Comments: |
What a great day to grid out these peaks in Saunder's and Henry's woods. This was a long 34 mile loop that into some remote regions of the Pemigewasset and Hancock wilderness that has been on my bucket list for years. The day started up Mt. Carrigan via the closed sawyer river road and signal ridge trail to the fire tower on the summit. Nothing to report here, just a nice climb up the 20 or so switchbacks up to the top. From there the real adventure began. I dropped down Desolation trail to Stillwater junction. Desolation trail drops down steep and quick for the first half, then mellows out to an old logging road with easy grades and terrific footing. I found old telephone wires buried in the ground near the bottom that could be a trip hazard. From there it was a nice 5 mile downhill grade along the Wilderness trail passing by the old camp 18 to the Cedar brook trail junction. From there I went up past camp 24 (sadly some of the artifacts that were there last year have been removed) to the height of the land and down to the junction of the Hancock loop trail. Most of this trail is an old railroad bed so it's never too steep, but boy it seems to go on forever. This trail really could use some ax work as there were numerous blowdowns blocking the trail. The Hancock loop was it's normal schlog. Pick your poison going up north or south, either way it's going to be steep up and steep down. After finishing up the Hancock's I went down the rest of cedar brook trail to the junction of Hancock notch trail. Today instead of taking the normal right hand turn to get back to the Kanc I went left down into Hancock notch. The trail rises slightly at first, then it's a wonderful 4 mile downhill cruise to Sawyer river trail. Passing through some more old logging camps and eventually following along the Sawyer river. The washout section could be a bit tricky to cross in higher water,but luckily today the water was low and the trail on the other side was in plain sight. It was great to see all of the recent saw work along the trail, it made for a fast hike. From there it was a easy 5 more miles down Sawyer river trail and the closed sawyer river road back to where I started. For a total of 10 easy/fast miles to finish off the day with. |
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 | Name: |
BluecollarHiker |
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 | E-Mail: |
Echam81@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2024-09-15 |
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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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