| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Rowe, Gunstock Mountain, Belknap Mountain, Piper Mountain, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Ridge Trail, Saddle Trail, Blue Trail, White Trail, Old Piper Trail, Round Pond-Piper Link, Round Pond Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, April 9, 2016 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Plenty of parking in Gunstock, skiing season over! |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Ice - Breakable Crust, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Leaves - Significant/Slippery |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Most water crossings easily rock hoppable. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
BRATs does a great job maintaining and blazing. One of the maintainers was on our hike. We really appreciated the stone steps and the re-route on the way up to Belknap. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Saw a few today, all on leases. Looked like they were having fun. |
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 | Bugs: |
none yet |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
Completing our BRT traverse from last week (shortened by rain last week, Major to Round Pond and out).
This weekend, started at Gunstock, up the Ridge Trail to Rowe by the construction for the new alpine slide, although not sure how they will get people up to the start unless they shuttle them up, we will see. Started out in the 20's in the AM. Saw no one until Belknap. Nice ridge walk from Rowe to Gunstock. Trail is now off the ski slopes and through the forest in the back coming up right at the top of the lift. Spent some time taking in the view of the Washington and taking pictures sitting in the ski lift chairs. Trail up Rowe is the access road to the cell tower, dry just steep. Ridge trail over to Gunstock had a few small avoidable sections of ice in the AM, probably melted by afternoon. Trail is easy to follow and well blazed. Still some snow on the ski trails.
Access to BRT off Gunstock is across one of the ski trails and heads behind the mountains, lot of ice covered ledges, no need for traction, just be careful and hold on to the trees. Our BRAT maintainer pointed out the new steps and re-routes they had completed over the last few seasons, great work. Finally ran into a group, large family with a dog on Belknap. Took a small break, went up to the tower for a 360 degree view. Met up with 2 men escaping from ice floes in the whites as were we for the past few weeks. Always know mutual people, hiking is a community. Our local guide gave out some advice to a couple going back to to Carriage Road.
Decided to add some miles and have lunch on Piper. Trails still a jumble of conditions, dry, wet, muddy, ice on ledges. didn't run into anyone else until we shared Piper with a family and young children, nice to see.
Originally we were going back over Belknap and down the Overlook Trail decided to try something different on the advice of Cat, the Round Pond-Piper Link, covered in leaves and one steep section with PUDs, but a nice walk. ran into multiple groups coming up this way. Then a nice walk out Round Pond Trail again to the cars. Thanks to Dianna, Susanne, Dave, Diane and especially Cat our local for a fun day to see some new trails and stay away from whites. |
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 | Name: |
Frinda |
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 | E-Mail: |
Fredwijnenriems@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2016-04-10 |
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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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