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Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks Bear Mountain, CT
Trails
Trails: Undermountain Trail, Appalachian Trail
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Saturday, July 27, 2013
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: Undermountain lot had overflow parking on Rt. 41, but when I arrived, around 5 pm, there were spots open in the lot. Only one car remaining when I departed at 9 pm. 
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Dry Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment:  
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes:  
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes: The maintainers have replaced a couple of log bridges in the multiple-brook-crossings section of the Undermountain - about 1650' elevation - with board bridges. That's an improvement. Also, they have opened both approaches to the Paradise Lane Trail from the southern signage and have posted signage on the lower (newly reopened) junction. Overall, the trails are in excellent shape, though the A.T. could use some brushing up high. 
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes: The brooks are running low this time of the summer - dog owners should bring plenty of water for their pooches as well as themselves. 
Bugs
Bugs: Intermittent bug issues - skeeters, mostly - but not so much that I felt the need to spray. There was a good sized swarm of flies at the proper summit about 75 yards NW of the Battell Cairn when I arrived (about 7 pm), but none bothered me. The half dozen times I stopped, including the summit, I was bothered by a few mosquitoes, but they dissipated when I resumed hiking. 
Lost and Found
Lost and Found:  
 
Comments
Comments: Had hoped to see a lot more blueberries up above 2000', but there were only a few - I guess the bushes are recovering from the beating they took during last year's exceedingly dry summer by taking a break this wet summer from bearing fruit. Friends of mine reported scads of them on Everett and Race last week, but they didn't mention Bear. Now I see why. It was a beautiful evening - not too hot thanks to a late start, and the sun was lower in the sky. The rocks, as usual, administer a pretty good beating to the feet, but the grades are mostly gentle. Views were mediocre - no Catsills, very nice local views of fellow Taconics and of nearer parts of the Housy Valley. Bear is an enduring beauty.  
Name
Name: Chris Stratton 'Driver 8' 
E-Mail
E-Mail: christrattonlaw@gmail.com 
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2013-07-28 
Link
Link: https://facebook.com/arkie.in.ct 
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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