| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Lafayette, Mt. Truman, Mt. Lincoln, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Skookumchuck Trail, Garfield Ridge Trail, Franconia Ridge Trail, Greenleaf Trail, bike path, road walk |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Sunday, September 21, 2025 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Parked at the Skookumchuck trailhead lot that is also the northern terminus of the bike path. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
The water levels are very low. There were some minor crossings on the Skookumchuck Trail. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Trails in good condition.
There is one 4" diameter evergreen about 4 ft above the surface on the Skookumchuck Trail. Easy to get by.
There were a few trees across the Greenleaf Trail at a height that presents no problem at this time. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Fine for dogs. No water above tree line. |
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 | Bugs: |
None |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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|
 | Comments: |
All trail surfaces are dry. This made for secure footing.
It was a pleasure to hike the Skookumchuck Trail again. The footing is good and the grades are not extreme. There is only one tricky ledge near the top that can be circumvented by using a short by-pass path. I saw no other hikers on this trail. Later in the day I met two other hikers that had ascended via the Skookumchuck Trail after I had hiked the trail.
The two ridge trails had many hikers including a man who lives within a mile of me. The footing is easy on the ridge (AT) with only one steep ledge that is not difficult under today's dry conditions.
The Greenleaf Trail from Mt Lafayette to the hut has generally good footing although there are some loose aggregate in places.
The Greenleaf Trail below the hut has rough footing compared to the other trails. Thankfully, the surfaces are dry as it is frequently wet mossy surfaces on these rocks. The Greenleaf Trail includes a walk through Eagle Pass that is interesting.
I met a Franconia NH couple out for a stroll on the bike path who tipped me off that I could avoid a loss and gain on the bike path by walking up to route 18 and cross over I-93 on a bridge and then proceed on the Hugh Gallen Road to arrive at the Lafayette Brook Bridge. I spotted the apple tree just off the bridge. The bike path follows along one side of Echo Lake providing many fine views of the water.
Some nice color in the leaves. Not peak yet. Great views from all areas above tree line.
I noticed a few trees across the beginning of the old route of the Skookumchuck Trail just off the bike path. I don't know whether the old Skookumchuck Trail has additional obstructions. No problems with the current Skookumchuck Trail.
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|
 | Name: |
WAUMBEK |
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 | E-Mail: |
waumbek@roadrunner.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2025-09-21 |
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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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