| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Willey, Mt. Field, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Ethan Pond Trail, Willey Range Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Tuesday, October 8, 2024 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Willey House Station parking is a state fee lot ($5.00 per vehicle). The access road is a smooth asphalt surface. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Leaves - Significant/Slippery |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Kedron Brook crossing is easy on rocks. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
No trees obstructing the trails. There are trees across the trail high above ground. The worst of these trees is uphill of the wooden stairs and is about 6-7' above ground with many limbs. This will be a problem in the winter. I don't think very many hikers use the Willey Range approach in the winter.
The wooden stairs seem to get more decrepit every year. There are many rungs missing including multiple consecutive missing rungs. Many of the rungs that are in place are in poor condition although most can still bear weight. Some rungs have holes, are broken, or seem to be in various states of decomposition. Even so, the intact sections of the wooden ladders are still helpful in ascending the steep ledge. In other sections, hikers are walking to the side of the ladders. These ladders require a complete renovation in the near future to remain safe and useful.
In other steep ledges above the ladders, there are side trails formed to the side of the official trail. In some of these spots, the side trails were formed to go around badly eroded sections of the trail. In other spots, the side trails go around steep ledges that are difficult when icy. This was no problem today.
I cut a couple of trees intruding into the Willey Range Trail that could have jabbed an unwary hiker. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Okay for dogs that can ascend and descend ladders and steep ledges. Many dog owners may opt to hike to the Willey Range peaks from the trailhead by Crawford Depot. |
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 | Bugs: |
None |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
After fairly easy hiking on the Ethan Pond Trail and the bottom of the Willey Range Trail, the Willey Range Trail steepens going up the south face of Mt Willey. The footing is rough rock and roots and may be slippery when wet. Loose rocks may be covered by fallen leaves.
The Willey Range Trail between Mt Willey and Mt Field is rather easy with a couple sections of loose rock and one small ledge.
Be sure to go out to the outlook ledge just south of the Mt Willey summit (cairn). There are also good views to Mt Carrigain, the Pemigewasset Wilderness, the Twins, Bonds, and Franconia Ridge from various spots along the Willey Range Trail and some short paths to the west of the Mt Field summit cairn.
Many hikers out today. |
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 | Name: |
WAUMBEK |
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 | E-Mail: |
WAUMBEK@Roadrunner.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2024-10-08 |
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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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