| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Church Mountain, Grafton Knob, Crane Mountain, Orange Mountain, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Washburn Road, Knowles Hill Road, Church Hill Road, Skyland Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Sunday, July 26, 2026 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Parking is always tricky for Skyland Trail. I used a small pull off near the top of Washburn Rd., 0.15 mi. from Four Corners and did the half mile road walk to the trailhead. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
The relo that was done on Skyland a couple years ago now brings the route around Brown Mtn. instead of over it; a bonus is that the trail now goes by some interesting cellar holes. Blazes have been repainted from the trailhead to the northern end of the relo. Scattered blowdowns from the trailhead to the summit of Orange but nearly all of them are on the small side and don't create any major obstructions. Some brushing needed here and there but nothing crazy. Cairns are in good shape. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
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 | Bugs: |
Hardly any. Have we turned a corner? Also no ticks found yet. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
Today's Plan A was a loop over Orange Mtn. from the AMC Cardigan Lodge. However, when I arrived shortly before 8 am, the parking was already full and made worse by People Parking Poorly. So, Plan B was to drive around to Alexandria Four Corners and approach Orange from the south via Skyland Trail. This was fine as it was a chance to revisit a favorite trail, and compared to the crowds that must have been on Cardigan, I saw zero people on this route.
Always a joy to hike this quiet and remote trail, which becomes more and more ledgy as you get further in, especially once you reach Crane. Super views from all the open ledges today. I only went as far as Orange but could hear people over on Cardigan. Based on the busy parking lot at the lodge, I wasn't surprised.
Another beautiful day in the Cardigan backcountry! |
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 | Name: |
KenM |
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 | E-Mail: |
kmacgray@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2026-07-26 |
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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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