| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Paugus -- South Peak, Mt. Mexico, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Cabin Trail, Lawrence Trail, Old Paugus Trail, Big Rock Cave Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Sunday, October 6, 2024 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
The parking area is on the other side of Rt. 113A from the private driveway that is the start of Cabin Trail. It was mostly empty at 9:30am on this sunny Sunday. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Leaves - Significant/Slippery |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Most of them were dry. The Whitin Brook crossing on Big Rock Cave Trail had water, and required a rock hop on wet rocks, but was not difficult. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
There is a blowdown blocking Big Rock Cave Trail just above the junction with Cabin Trail (one can step over it).
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|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Probably OK for most dogs, though there is a bit of steep scrambling, especially on Old Paugus Trail. |
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 | Bugs: |
None |
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 | Lost and Found: |
Found a dark blue patterned handkerchief. Email me if it's yours. |
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 | Comments: |
It might be nice to add a "View" sign at the Paugus South Peak summit, to point people towards the 50 yd. walk to the big ledge with the view, just in case there are hikers who don't know that it's there.
Finding the Old Paugus Trail from the Paugus South Peak summit took a little bit of searching.
We went clockwise, but counterclockwise would have been easier, so as to ascend the steep scrambling sections and sloped ledges on Old Paugus Trail.
There are lots of colorful leaves, but the dominant color on the deciduous trees is still green, so peak foliage here might still be a week or two away. In many places, the leaves with the most striking colors were the ones on the ground.
If descending Old Paugus Trail, intending to turn right on Big Rock Cave Trail, know that the junction is just after a rock hop through a brief wet section - if not paying attention, one can walk right past the sign.
Big Rock Cave, on the north side of Mt. Mexico is a [big rock] cave, not a big [rock cave] - it's not *that* big. One can hike through it in a few seconds, and there's plenty of light reaching even the center.
Mt. Mexico is a wooded summit with no view. |
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 | Name: |
mathbp |
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 | E-Mail: |
tiramisu_eater@yahoo.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2024-10-07 |
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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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