| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Welch Mountain, Dickey Mountain, Foss Peak, Green Mountain, Mt. Tecumseh, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Welch-Dickey Loop Trail, herd path, Sosman Trail, Mt. Tecumseh Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Monday, September 23, 2024 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Pretty dry conditions, only water crossed was the stream above the Welch-Dickey TH. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
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 | Bugs: |
No problem with them today! |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
Blazes on Welch-Dickey slabs are often far apart, but trail is easy enough to follow that it isn't a big deal.
The Dickey-Tecumseh herd path is more of a bootleg trail - it's definitely maintained every now and then. Abundant cut logs/branches and minimal blowdown. Earlier trip reports generally indicated the section from Green Mountain to the top of the ski area was a bushwhack. That is no longer true - there is a complete path between Green and the Sosman Trail, abundantly marked via faded yellow paint blazes and newer-looking metal yellow discs.
As I did research, I found about the "secret" route from Welch-Dickey to Tecumseh and determined to try it to get a fantastic full day out of including all these peaks together. It did not disappoint at all! Some notes about the Dickey-Tecumseh path follow.
- I would say that if you're good at following herd paths and patiently navigate any obscure places where it's not immediately obvious where the path goes, this is NOT a true bushwhack at all. I was able to figure out each puzzle along the way without too much trouble.
- There is no real place marking where the path leaves the Welch-Dickey trail, let the slabs guide you to the big ledge on the NE side of Dickey.
- The place where the path enters the forest is not super obvious from a distance, but is at the bottom of a slab some ways down from the big ledge. Once you're on the path, it's very straightforward! A very nice little track through the woods. Take note that there are currently no cairns or blazes all the way to Green.
- There is a little bog (essentially dry today) along the ridge between Dickey and Foss, that can turn you around a bit because the path immediately jags left once you pass the bog, and then jags back right after about 50 yards.
- Path is a little overgrown with ferns and vegetation on Green's south ridge, but the forest is pretty open.
- It appears, though I'm not 100% sure, that the path from Green to Tecumseh received an overhaul a couple years ago or so - so many cut branches and logs. There are still places where the tread is hard to follow, but the blazes are plentiful; let them guide you. The path is especially helpful in getting through the band of thick trees right below the ski area.
- If coming from Tecumseh, leave the Sosman Trail where it turns left to the ski area and go past the radio tower and its building. Just past that building, another road forks left to the ski area. Immediately in front of you at this point there are a couple faint yellow paint markings on the trees. The path is not very apparent until you're right on it.
I highly recommend this alternative way to Tecumseh for experienced White Mountain explorers - great views, solitude, and nice forests. I did an out-and-back, a long day, but doing a car spot at one of the other THs and doing a traverse is also a great way to do this.
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 | Name: |
Dan Saxton |
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 | E-Mail: |
daniel.saxton7@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2024-09-23 |
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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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