| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Stairs Mountain, NH |
|
 | Trails: |
Jericho Road, Rocky Branch Trail, Stairs Col Trail, Davis Path, Stairs Mountain Spur |
|
 | Date of Hike: |
Wednesday, September 3, 2025 |
|
 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
At the "new" trailhead on Jericho Rd., 2.5 mi. in from Rt. 302. |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail |
|
 | Recommended Equipment: |
|
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
With the current dry conditions, crossing Rocky Branch was not an issue. |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
I recall a couple blowdowns on Rocky Branch; ten or so on Stairs Col; a few on Davis, and one or two on the spur. The spur path is also becoming overgrown. Stairs Col Trail has some nicely built rock water bars but unfortunately they look like they haven't been raked out in a long time. The trail sign for the "proper" start of Rocky Branch Trail (once across the river) is missing. |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
|
|
 | Bugs: |
Yes! Thought we were done with bugs but a swarm of gnat-ey things kept me company along the river on the way out. |
|
 | Lost and Found: |
|
|
|
|
|
 | Comments: |
I took the long walk up the back way to Stairs Mtn. I hadn't used this approach since before the 2017 Halloween storm and flooding took out the bridge over Rocky Branch and closed the upper portion of Jericho Rd. indefinitely. While this route is now on the long side at just over 12 miles round-trip, 7.5 of those miles are flat or gradual forest road/trail/old railroad grade walking.
I'm honestly not understanding why the end of Jericho Rd. is closed. Yes, it has some brush from no traffic and there is one very slight washout that would not be an issue for most vehicles, but otherwise the road is in super shape and is drivable. I don't get it.
With the bridge over Rocky Branch now gone (removed in 2023), crossing the river now involves dropping down a steep retaining wall. The best approach down the bank is over to the right if heading inbound.
Weather-wise, everything was ducky until the scattered showers started upon arrival at Davis Path. Thunderstorms passed by the area but none were directly overhead. On the way down, the skies opened up again and I ducked into Rocky Branch Shelter #1 for a bit until things settled down enough for the nearly four mile walk out.
This was a quiet day as expected. Two other hikers were on Stairs when I arrived and I passed two campers who were coming up Stairs Col Trail. If you are backpacking in this area, there is no water once you get away from the river so plan accordingly. |
|
 | Name: |
KenM |
|
 | E-Mail: |
kmacgray@gmail.com |
|
| Date Submitted: |
2025-09-03 |
|
 | Link: |
 https:// |
|
|
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. |
|
