| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Monadnock, Bald Rock, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Birchtoft Trail, Cascade Trail, Spellman Trail, Pumpelly Trail, White Arrow Trail, Thoreau Trail, Cliff Trail, Noble Trail, Sidefoot Trail, Hedgehog Trail, Smith Connecting, White Dot, Old Ski Path, Red Spot Trail, Harling Trail, Hinkley Trail, Pond Loop |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, March 24, 2012 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Parking Lot at Gilson Pond campground holds about 20 cars and is free off season, even on weekends |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Not allowed |
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 | Bugs: |
**On the Noble Trail there is a nest of bees in the ground near its junction with the Cliff Trail. I had about 20 near me and nearly stepped on the hole they were coming from, but I wouldn't say they were aggressive or threating, though I didn't linger to find out |
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 | Lost and Found: |
Many cigarette butts |
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 | Comments: |
Trails snow and ice free, only a few foot long ornamental patches in shady areas. Aside from the heavily used trails (ie white dot, white arrow with their erosion issues), most trails were very dry. Needlessly long (12 mi) route to work on redling monadnock and trying to avoid crowds. (hundreds of people on the mountain today)
Birchtoft approach is in great shape, profusely blazed in red, and has nice footbed compared to lower sections of white dot. Only one out there this morning.
Second time up Spellman trail, it was dry and there really are only a few sections of class 2 scrambling, not as tough as its made out to be.
See not on bees on noble trail. At end of noble trail, I suprised 3 deer 20 yards from me, confirming I had found solitute. Noble, Thoreau, and Hedgehog, Harling trails unblazed but easy to follow for a hiker.
White Dot trail had usual crew--sneakers and scoop necks, duffel bags and people attempting off trail technical climbing up boulders. No flip flops today at least.
Harling and Hinkley Trail (did all of it) have no redeeming value. |
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 | Name: |
John in NH |
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 | E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2012-03-24 |
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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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