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Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks Mt. Nancy, Mt. Carrigain, NH
Trails
Trails: Nancy Pond Trail, herd path, Carrigain Notch Trail, Desolation Trail
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Sunday, July 8, 2012
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: Small dirt lot by the side of US 302. 
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Dry Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment:  
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: All brooks easily crossed on rocks. Water levels are not high. 
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes: Trails in great condition. No obstacles. On the Desolation Trail the drainage ditches recently cleaned out and fir boughs clipped. 
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes: Saw one dog on Nancy Pond Trail. Desolation Trail may present difficulties for some dogs due to the steep bouldery trail at higher elevations and the lack of water on the trail. 
Bugs
Bugs: Very few in sheltered areas. The steady winds generally kept the insects away. 
Lost and Found
Lost and Found:  
 
Comments
Comments: Decided to use the Nancy Pond approach to Mt Carrigain as an alternative to Signal Ridge. This route passed by the Nancy Cascades, Nancy Pond, Norcross Pond, and passed within the Pemigewasset Wilderness. It also enabled a walk up Mt Nancy.


There was some stretches of the Nancy Pond trail below Nancy Cascade that were affected by Irene but the trail is safe to use. There are many nice bog bridges above the cascades up to the wilderness border. The trail beyond Norcross Pond to the Desolation trail has very few roots and rocks in the trail making for easy walking. The Desolation Trail is steep and rocky from midway to the summit.


The beginning of the Mt Nancy Path is north off the Nancy Pond Trail when it turns to cross the outlet (near no camping sign). Take left trail at the split near the foot of the path. The herd path is well worn with less blow downs than the Owl's Head Path. A forest service warning sign banning trail maintenance is mounted on a tree. The trail is steep in its midsection but the footing is decent. At the top is a ledge with a great view.


Great views from the southeast end of Norcross Pond, from the Norcross Pond outlet, from the summit of Mt Nancy, and Mt Carrigain's observation platform.


Saw very few people on the trails. A couple of campers experienced problems with a bear at the Thoreau Falls and Wilderness Trail junction.  
Name
Name: WAUMBEK 
E-Mail
E-Mail: WAUMBEK at Roadrunner dot com 
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2012-07-08 
Link
Link: https:// 
Bookmark and Share 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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