| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Hedgehog Mountain, Potash Mountain, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Downes Brook Trail, UNH Trail, FR 511, Mt. Potash Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Sunday, June 8, 2025 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Downes Brook Trailhead parking area was about 3/4 full when we arrived at around 10:45am. There was no one parked at the start of FR 511. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Mud - Minor/Avoidable |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
The flow rate at the Downes Brook crossing on Mt. Potash Trail was high enough that we did not think we could cross it without getting wet. We returned to the trailhead and bypassed the crossing by driving a short way west along Kancamagus highway and hiking up the logging road (FR 511) instead to meet Mt. Potash Trail above the crossing to continue to the Potash Mtn. summit. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
There is a very large blowdown (maybe 2 ft. diameter?) on Mt. Potash Trail just above FR 511, blocking the trail. With effort, one can go over or under it. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Fine for dogs. |
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 | Bugs: |
Swarms of mosquitoes at Downes Brook Trailhead (not surprising, given the nearby pond) - got bitten a few times, even with bug spray. There was almost no wind, so there were also quite a few mosquitoes along the trail, even at the summits, though they bothered us mainly when we stopped moving.
Saw some black flies, but they didn't seem to be biting yet. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
The air quality was "Unhealthy for sensitive groups" all day, because of smoke from Canadian wildfires - all views were hazy; hopefully this will change within the next few days.
We went counterclockwise on the UNH Trail loop. Either direction works. Going counterclockwise means doing the steeper direct route uphill. Going clockwise means doing the trickier ledges (counterclockwise from the high point of Hedgehog Mtn.) uphill. If I were to choose again, I'd go clockwise.
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 | Name: |
mathbp |
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 | E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2025-06-09 |
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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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