| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Smarts Mountain, Mt. Cube, Mt. Mist, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Appalachian Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Monday, June 30, 2025 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
None |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Mud - Significant |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
All easily rock hoppable |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Top of Smarts Mountain was clear of blowdowns, about a quarter mile past there's a blowdown that doesn't affect the trail but is a bit of a snag and could fall to block the trail. The privy on Smarts requires some raking and/or maintenance. I wasn't over by the Fire Warden's cabin area to observe any maintenance potentially required there. |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Didn't have my dog with me but probably do-able for any fit dog |
|
 | Bugs: |
Lots of mosquitoes along the Atwell Hill trail and southern portion of the Ore Hill Trail due to significant muddy areas. Ore Hill Tentsite is essentially a mosquito paradise so I pushed on to Wachipauka Pond |
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 | Lost and Found: |
None |
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|
 | Comments: |
This was Day 3 of a 4 day backpack from Hanover, NH to Oliverian Brook. Over the course of the 4 days the AT was well maintained throughout with some light mud patches with the exception of the section noted above. The pond was beautiful with the spring at the top bubbling strong.
The four day route is definitely challenging especially with the second day ending at the tent sites on top of Smarts Mountain. This was a tough climb along the AT to finish a 14mile day. The 18 miles the following day due to the Ore Hill Tentsite being less than ideal were challenging but could've been shortened with a site or two between Ore Hill and where I ended up camping. The first day was moderate and relatively easy 14 miles from the state line to Moose Shelter. I did a couple blue blazes around the Velvet Rocks shelter, enjoying the E Wheeler Street spur but not really loving the Ledyard Link back up to the shelter.
Overall this is a great section of the AT to do if you have a few days. The views from Smarts, Cube, and some of the ledges along the way are great. |
|
 | Name: |
Aaron W |
|
 | E-Mail: |
wildenhausa@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2025-07-02 |
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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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