NewEnglandTrailConditions.com
NewEnglandTrailConditions.com:
MA
|
ME
|
NH
|
RI/CT
|
VT
|
Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks Mt. Pierce, NH
Trails
Trails: Dry River Trail, Crawford Path, Webster Cliff Trail, Mt. Clinton Trail
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Saturday, August 29, 2015
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: Small clearing on side of road that fits about 6-8 cars. No facilities; Not a fee area 
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Mud - Significant 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment:  
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: Many small brooks and stream on Dry River and Mt Clinton Trails. Water levels were very low and they were easy. Most significant crossing is of the Dry River at beginning of Mt Clinton Trail. River is extremely wide here with several channels. Was fine today but in high water could be very dangerous or impossible. 
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes: Many, many blow downs on Dry River and Mt Clinton Trails. Majority were your typical wilderness area stepovers but there were several awkward ones. It should be noted too though that a ton of trail work has been done, particularly on Dry River, to make the trail as passable as it was. This appears to be no easy trail to maintain and must be a nightmare in the Spring for annual maintenance. 
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes: Most areas were fine for dogs. Didn't see any today. 
Bugs
Bugs: Some gnats here and there but generally no issues. Lot of different types of bees on the wildflowers in Oaks Gulf. Worth noting if you have dangerous allergic reactions. 
Lost and Found
Lost and Found: none 
 
Comments
Comments: Pretty incredible loop trail. The Dry River Trail is a perfect microcosm of hiking in the Whites. It literally has every type of trail condition, vegetation, tree type and structure you'd see in the Whites: dry packed gravel, wet slick tree roots, mud, blow downs, river crossings, ledge scrambles, rock piles, trail and streambed merged, etc. Oakes Gulf area was particularly unique and exceptional. Fantastic loop with the very notable exception below.

A main point of caution would be the lower section of Mt Clinton Trail. The lower half mile or so where it approaches and crosses Dry River to junction with Dry River Trail is virtually impossible to follow. The foot bed is non existent, there is a lot of very deep mud, blowdowns, etc and many washed out river crossings. There are orange ribbons in the trees to mark the crossings but even then you'll find yourself scratching your head in places. I quite honestly would say never take this trail unless you're redlining. It is not terribly attractive and will test your patience. Make sure you have a map/compass/GPS and be familiar with the topography. There were many sections where my GPS indicated that I was right in the middle of the trail and it sure as hell didn't look like it (I am not a novice hiker). Allow for plenty of daylight to navigate if you come through this area. You'll need it. I went in and out of the stream bed in many places toward the end because I simply couldn't find the foot bed. And as I noted above the Dry River crossing at the end is massive (along the lines of the Pemi in width). If you're planning to finish a loop on this trail take the time on the way out to look at the crossing (it's only 100 feet or so off Dry River trail) and make sure you can get across. The bushwhack down to the suspension bridge is about 1.2 miles of extraordinarily tedious terrain due to all the hurricane damage.  
Name
Name: DayTrip 
E-Mail
E-Mail: bblanchette0709@gmail.com 
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2015-08-31 
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.

Copyright 2009-2024, All Rights Reserved