| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Smarts Mountain, NH |
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 | Trails: |
J Trail, Quinttown Road |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Tuesday, May 27, 2025 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Quinttown road to the Mousey Brook turnoff is in good shape and passable by any vehicle. Beyond this point the road narrows, so be wary of oncoming traffic. Athe last building (#487, shows on some GPS systems), the road narrows even more, heads uphill and is very rough, but only lasts .1 mi to the gate. Should be passable by all but low slung sports cars. Parking for 5-6 cars without blocking gate, if strategically parked. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Mud - Significant |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
The roadside ditch at the start of the J Trail has two planks. The brook in the first .1 of the J Trail has a sturdy footbridge. All other tributaries/drainages (all within .2-.3 of the brook) are easy stepovers or rock hops. However, the surrounding areas have lots of mud and/or standing water to navigate. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
1. All major junctions signed, except for the short section to the summit, but the fire tower is clearly visible from the trail. Using the J Trail, you need to follow the Lambert Ridge Trail toward Dorchester Road for a few feet and keep an eye out for the tower.
2. Vegetation is encroaching on many segments of the trail. In some cases the encroachment is heavy enough to obscure the footpath, especially close to the summit where the trail is very narrow and evergreen branches on both sides of the trail extend the width of the trail. Many of these intrusions are shoulder/head high resulting in scrapes to the face and ears. I wear safety goggles on the trail, otherwise eyes would also be at risk of injury.
3. Many wet areas on various sections, bottom to top. Most of these have various means (rocks, branches, solid ground) to avoid sinking into mud, but some are difficult to find being covered in water or mud and some have ankle deep mud or water. (This isn't a trail maintenance issue, but rather a warning for fellow hikers.)
4. Most bog bridges are in good shape, but several are significantly impaired (but still functional).
5. Only occasional blazes, (white for AT) but the footpath is generally easy to discern, except in a few areas where it is obscured by dead leaves or encroaching vegetation.
6. Many, Many branches and other debris on trail. All significant blowdowns cleared or easy stepovers. Be careful; easy to trip yourself up. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Generally trail is suited for most dogs, especially if they like mud. No scrambles or technical obstacles. Water available down low and a couple of other spots enroute, but long segments with none available, other than standing water on trail. |
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 | Bugs: |
Yes they are out, swarming and biting, especially in the wet areas. Swarming at summit, but none followed me up the tower steps. But I got more scrapes from vegetation than bug bites. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
Found one lonely AT hiker on his descent. Found solitude at the summit. My first time on this mountain; I expected a crowd. (Not disappointed there wasn't one.) |
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 | Comments: |
Normally I add info here, but all the important stuff is covered in the other sections.
Just one note. I wasn't able to open the door to the platform on top of the tower. I didn't spent a lot of time trying to figure it out, so there might be a way to do it. |
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 | Name: |
SpartyHikerFromME |
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 | E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2025-05-27 |
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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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