| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mizpah Spring Hut, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Dry River Trail, Mt. Clinton Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Thursday, September 19, 2024 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
I was the only car at the trailhead of Dry River Trail Thursday morning. Plenty of roadside parking. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Mud - Significant |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Water levels are low. To my surprise and gratification, the crossing of Dry River at the base of Mt. Clinton Trail was quite doable just by rock-hopping - I didn't need my waders. The seven crossings of the tributary brook on Mt. Clinton Trail were all fairly easy as well. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Many blowdowns on Dry River Trail and especially on Mt. Clinton Trail. Some muddy areas on both trails, but not as bad as last year. Signs are all in place. No blazes on either trail since they are in a Wilderness area. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
I wouldn't recommend bringing a dog into the Dry River valley. |
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 | Bugs: |
Not an issue. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
This is Day 1 of a three-day, two-night trip to Mizpah Hut to finish redlining the trails of the Dry River valley. Dry River Trail has a new relocation maybe a mile in to bypass a recent washout - this relocation has some loose, dusty footing. The trail basically alternates between easier sections and rough relocations up to the junction with Mt. Clinton Trail. An experienced redliner won't have trouble following it, but beginner hikers might in some places.
Mt. Clinton Trail is rough, wet, and faint in places, but not quite as hellacious as I was led to believe. The crossing of Dry River is marked by several small cairns. Once atop the riverbank, the next short section to the old trail route is very faint, just continue upstream near the edge of the bank and you should come across the route. Soon you'll come to the edge of the major tributary - once you know that the trail doesn't cross the tributary for a few more tenths, you should be able to see where the trail climbs the bank. Most of the crossings are pretty obvious, and the one that isn't still has evidence of foot traffic and erosion where the trail goes. There were some significant mud pits, but overall they weren't overwhelming. The upper section is somewhat steeper, and very eroded in places, but I generally didn't have much trouble following it. The section above the junction with Dry River Cutoff has some excellent blowdown clearance.
I had a nice afternoon and night at Mizpah Hut, and talked with several other hikers who were doing either one-night stays or hut-to-hut traverses. |
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 | Name: |
GN |
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 | E-Mail: |
ghnaigles@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2024-09-21 |
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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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