| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Whiteface, Mt. Passaconaway, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Downes Brook Trail, Kate Sleeper Trail, Rollins Trail, Walden Trail, Square Ledge Trail, Passaconaway Cutoff, Oliverian Brook Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Sunday, May 5, 2013 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Downes Brook parking is closed, but there was enough room at the entrance for 4 or 5 cars |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Snow - Wet/Sticky, Mud - Significant, Snow/Ice - Monorail (Unstable), Standing/Running Water on Trail, Slush, Snow - Trace/Minimal Depth, Snow/Ice - Postholes |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
7 major crossings over Downes Brook. All tricky. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Lots of blow downs everywhere. The last half mile of Downes Brook Trail is very hard to follow |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
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 | Bugs: |
At trail head only. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
A black folding knife with belt clip on P/Conaway Cutoff |
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 | Comments: |
Last part of Downes Brook made this a strenuous day. I think it added 1 1/2 hours for a distance 3/4 mile. There was a single set of tracks for about 4 miles and then they disappeared. Not sure the last time this trail was used, but you are required to criss-cross the brook to get around blow downs and it isn't obvious. Some maintenance has been done near Kate Sleeper Trail intersection, but it's a real mess up there. Add to the mix deep snow, postholing to ones crotch every 5th step and you get the picture. Well worth it, but I would not recommend this route presently, if the above is not part your definition of a "good time".
Kate Sleeper Trail to Whiteface was in better shape in that the postholes were calf deep or less and more infrequent. Rollins was about the same. The east side of P/Conaway all the way out via Oliverian was mostly snow free. Great views from P/Conaway ledge. Lots of moose scat and tracks and along the route.
I'll put a video of the water crossings and maybe a few other things at the link below later today, 5/6/13. |
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 | Name: |
Gary M |
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 | E-Mail: |
netc@kartoffee.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2013-05-06 |
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 | Link: |
 https://www.youtube.com/user/TheGarymcm |
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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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