| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Jennings Peak, Sachem Peak, Acteon Ridge, Bald Knob, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Smarts Brook Trail, Sandwich Mountain Trail, Jennings Peak Spur, herd paths, bushwhack |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Monday, September 30, 2024 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Plenty of parking at Smarts Brook trailhead, maybe 8 cars there when I left. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Mud - Significant |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
None that I recall, maybe a few minor ones on Smarts Brook, there was mud I remember. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
None, but I thought perhaps there should be an arrow pointing where the trail turns off a road in the lower part of SB trail, I only saw a small cairn marking it. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
After looking at this ridge on google earth, it was begging to be hiked. I took Smarts Brook Trail up to Jennings Peak, from the lookout there Sachem Peak can be seen way down below. I bushwhacked off the spur trail through some brief thick sections, but mostly open woods and I made it to Sachem Peak in about 45 minutes. Once on Sachem, the herd path appeared in the reindeer moss. I'd call it a hobbit path actually because there was lots of ducking needed to get through. The woods to the north of the ridge were nice and open, but I wanted to stay high and enjoy all the lookouts, and it was worth it. In between the peaks it was hard to stay on my bearing with just a compass going downhill with no view, (but I imagine it might be easier if one went uphill). No registers found, but I was in a hurry and more interested in the views anyway. From Bald Knob I found a rock climber's path that was on the bearing I was going to take anyway, and I made good time back to the lower trails. I crossed other paths in this lower part, even saw mountain bikers, but I stayed on my bearing here and bushwhacked across these trails the shortest way back to Smarts Brook trail. About 10 miles and 4.5 hours for this trip. |
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 | Name: |
Carl Gifford |
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 | E-Mail: |
calxjohnson@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2024-10-01 |
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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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