| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Hope, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Davis Path, bootleg trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Friday, July 25, 2014 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Parked at the large Davis Path lot on Rt. 302. A few other cars in the lot, but no one was going where I was. ;) |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
One minor crossing of a waterslide, easily hopped over. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
See description below. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
The trail is 100% fine for dogs but the only water along the way is the aforementioned waterslide. |
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 | Bugs: |
Either not too bad or I've gotten used to them. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
Nothing and nothing. |
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 | Comments: |
I've had this hike on my mind ever since reading a recent report here on it. About a quarter mile after Bemis Bridge, where Davis Path rises over a small hump, the bootleg trail for Mt. Hope leaves on the right. There are some small rocks along the trail at this junction, but no cairn or other markings. The first part of the trail angles up and away from Davis Path, on what looks like an old logging road. According to the report I read, this trail was illegally cut and blazed by a local resident, who was prosecuted for her actions. She is now deceased.
The trail is blazed in green all the way to the summit. The blazes range from very faded to completely clear. The middle section of the trail is obscure and hard to follow in places, but if you keep an eye out for the blazes, you can find your way. The green color makes the blazes more difficult to spot in a green forest, but I assume this color was chosen to be more discreet, as opposed to something like yellow. There are also small cairns here and there.
There are two blowdown patches, the first is easily walked around. With the second, I had to snap off a few branches and go through the middle. Higher up, the trail becomes more of a herd path, and the last stretch to the summit is lush, lovely and moss-covered. Views are very limited at the summit, but you can get a peek at Mt. Willey through the trees. The trail looks like it may have gone beyond the summit at one point, but I can't say for sure. |
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 | Name: |
KenM |
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 | E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2014-07-27 |
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 | Link: |
 https://www.flickr.com/gp/kmacgray/093ePf |
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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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