| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
None, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Wild River Road, Burnt Mill Brook Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Monday, May 26, 2025 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Wild River Road is closed, requiring a 2.7-mile road walk to the trailhead. There are significant washouts on Wild River Road at (approximately) 0.7, 1.5, 2.0, and 2.2 miles. None are obstacles to hikers or cyclists. And honestly, if the gate was open, a high-clearance vehicle could probably make it to the Burnt Mill Brook trailhead with careful driving. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Significant |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
All easy. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Burnt Mill Brook Trail has several blowdowns, though there was evidence of a few larger blowdowns having been cleared. The trail also had a lot of sticks and other debris on it - not too surprising since the trailhead is now a 2.7-mile walk from the parking area, so I doubt it gets much use. Several muddy areas, but I could find ways past them. Signs at both ends of the trail are in place. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
No issues. |
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 | Bugs: |
Unfortunately, the bugs survived the Great Memorial Day Winter Storm. They weren't so bad if I kept moving, but whenever I stopped, they would start to get annoying. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
What should have been a 4-mile hike has become a 9.4-mile hike due to Wild River Road being closed. The road walk took me about an hour each way.
Burnt Mill Brook Trail looks barely used, right from the start, with a lot of debris on the trail and even some plants in the footpath in a few places. Novice hikers might have a few spots where it would take care to follow, but experienced redliners won't have any issues. The lower part is gradual to moderate, and there are some nice waterfalls in the brook. The upper part, however, is an almost unrelieved steep climb. There are no difficult ledges or rock scrambling, but it's a serious climb. The water crossings are pretty straightforward. I saw two tiny patches of snow next to the trail about a tenth of a mile from the top, and that was it.
I didn't see anybody else on the trail. I saw a cyclist during my return walk on Wild River Road, and a larger group of hikers were just starting to head down Wild River Road as I got back to my car. This is one of those hikes that I'm glad I got done, and I'd like to return to Burnt Mill Brook Trail, but I won't until Wild River Road re-opens. |
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 | Name: |
GN |
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 | E-Mail: |
ghnaigles@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2025-05-26 |
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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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