| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Frankenstein Cliff, Falcon Cliff, NH |
|
 | Trails: |
Frankenstein Cliff Trail, Falcon Cliff Trail, Arethusa-Ripley Falls Trail, Arethusa Falls Trail |
|
 | Date of Hike: |
Sunday, May 10, 2026 |
|
 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Plenty of room at the upper Arethusa Falls parking area this morning. |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable |
|
 | Recommended Equipment: |
|
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
|
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Frankenstein: Lots of trees down, some of them quite old and a few higher up have bypasses around them, causing erosion; blazing is faded and non-standard (various shapes and sizes, both yellow and blue, spray paint on rocks and ledges); Falcon Cliff: Blazes are faded; signs at top and bottom are broken; lower sign also has incorrect mileage. Arethusa-Ripley: Faded blazes; some blowdowns; signs at the junction with Frankenstein are oddly placed away from the actual intersection with one installed behind trees so it's easy to miss. Arethusa: Lots of unnecessary trail creep due to the amount of traffic this trail gets; faded blazes; one large blowdown shortly above the upper Bemis Brook Trail junction has a path around it and the soil is getting wrecked. |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
|
|
 | Bugs: |
Not yet but soon. |
|
 | Lost and Found: |
|
|
|
|
|
 | Comments: |
Did the loop over Frankenstein Cliff counter-clockwise as the climb up from the trestle is steep, even with the switchbacks. Hadn't been here in a long while.
Mainly dry trail to start with the sun in and out of the clouds. Still a great view from the main cliff viewpoint. Falcon Cliff, while a short side trip, is just ok. The view is a bit obscured unless you are standing right on the edge.
The remainder of this loop got wetter and muddier and by the time I reached Arethusa Falls Trail, the rain started to fall. The descent to the trailhead was in a light shower. Trekking umbrella for the win again! Thought about doing Bemis Brook Trail on the way out but didn't want to make the very steep descent to the brook in the rain.
Several other folks (many without gear) were heading up Arethusa Falls Trail asking how far the falls were or how long it would take to get there. Hope everyone stayed safe because shortly after I got back to the car it started pouring. |
|
 | Name: |
KenM |
|
 | E-Mail: |
kmacgray@gmail.com |
|
| Date Submitted: |
2026-05-10 |
|
 | 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. |
|
