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Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks Bear Mountain, CT
Trails
Trails: Undermountain Trail, Appalachian Trail, Paradise Lane Trail
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Monday, April 18, 2016
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: We began at the Undermountain Trail parking lot, which is off of Undermountain Road not far from the Lauray of Salisbury florist shop. The parking lot is a dirt lot with a small blue sign alongside the road. You have to look for it or you can easily drive past it. The lot seemed to fit about a dozen or so cars. The road itself is a well-traveled road, and I am not sure if overflow cars could safely park alongside it. There is a good trail map at the trail head. Take a photo of it before heading out so that you don't inadvertently miss any of your turns. We hiked the loop counter-clockwise. 
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Dry Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Leaves - Significant/Slippery 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment:  
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: There were a few minor "streams" that were easily crossed by rock hopping. 
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes:  
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes: We saw one dog on the trail. A larger pit bull type. Not sure if the upper parts (alpine section) of this trail would be doable for small dogs. 
Bugs
Bugs: Mosquitoes and black flies are starting to make their appearance and we had to swat them away in some of the wooded sections. There were none once we hit the alpine elevation, and also none at the summit. 
Lost and Found
Lost and Found: There was a red bandana hanging on a tree branch along the upper part of the Undermountain Trail, past the intersection with Paradise Lane Trail I believe. 
 
Comments
Comments: Undermountain Trail to Appalachian Trail to Paradise Lane Trail to the Undermountain Trail (6.5 mile loop)

This is a nice loop hike and the trail intersections are well signed. The wooded Undermountain trail offers a modest but steady incline from early on. It is a dirt trail with some small rocks and roots, and while it will get your heart pumping right away, it is pretty easy footing as far as mountain trails go. After intersecting with the Appalachian Trail, you find yourself in an alpine zone with lots of bare rock, and suddenly things get really pretty and interesting. At the summit is the largest cairn I've ever seen--so large that it looks like a shelter and many people can sit on it and take in the beautiful ledge view.

Note that the part of the Appalachian Trail that we used to descend the summit (which links up to the Paradise Lane Trail) is very steep and requires some tree hugging and a little butt scooting to get down. There are a lot of fallen leaves in that section as well, which can make the rock slick. Proceed carefully but enjoy it; its a fun section.

We completed the 6.5 mile loop in 4 hours, and that included 30 minutes at the summit and some shorter water/snack stops along the way. Total hiking time was about 3 hours 20 minutes.  
Name
Name: KLBS 
E-Mail
E-Mail:  
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2016-04-19 
Link
Link: https:// 
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