| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Eisenhower, Mt. Pierce, Mt. Jackson, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Mt. Clinton Road, Edmands Path, Eisenhower Loop, Crawford Path, Webster Cliff Trail, Webster-Jackson Trail, Saco Lake Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, August 17, 2013 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Got one of the last slots along the entrance to the Mt. Clinton Road parking lot at 8:45. Cars spilled well out onto and along the road afterwards it appeared. Keep in mind it is a fee site no matter if you have to park along the road, and you aren't supposed to park at Highland Center unless you are a guest.
At 9:30, only 1 car parked along the road at the Edmand's Path lot (and several along the entrance "road") but likely a few more spilled out later on.
Many cars along Route 302 from both Webster-Jackson and Crawford Depot lots. It's that time of the year. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Mud - Minor/Avoidable |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
A couple trivial rock-hops. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Edmand's Path: in great shape. Only disappointing part is the multitude of eroding herd paths alongside the trail...
Crawford Path: the bog bridges near the col between Eisenhower and Pierce are in sad shape. Some are basically un-usable. Steadily widening mud pits around them now. The bridges nearer Pierce are in good shape (and much newer).
Webster Cliff: in good shape. One of the new bog bridges in the big mud pit near Jackson keeps you on your toes with its slight sideways lean, but it is not moving :)
Webster Jackson: lots of recent work evident, especially on the Jackson link. New bog bridges, looked to be some new water bars (all flowing nicely and channeling water off-trail), etc. Thanks to the maintainer and whoever else is responsible. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Nothing on this route should pose much trouble for a dog. Saw numerous ones during the hike. A few sipping pools here and there. |
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 | Bugs: |
A few mosquitoes kept up with me on the Mt. Clinton Road walk. They paid the price :D
Nothing on the ridge, enough breeze to keep anything at bay. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
A great day for a Southern Presi loop. Didn't expect quiet trails, and didn't get them, but I've seen worse on these peaks. Did the roadwalk to Edmand's Path instead of the out-and-back from Pierce, and to redline that trail. The footing is a bit rough in a few spots, and all of the ledges were wet from the night before, which made me glad I had my heavy boots along on this one (they grip like glue!)
Always love the views from Ike, and enjoyed a nice break there, with only a few others hanging out there (and a few tramping all over the alpine plants...) Even think I found the summit survey pin, which is not by the cairn as I expected it would be.
Pierce was mobbed, so I didn't hang long as I heard baked goods at Mizpah calling my name. Except they were all gone by the time I got there. Guess I should get out of bed earlier next time!
Enjoyed the trek to Jackson where there was only 1 other person after a minute there, and took a short nap before heading down. I had forgotten why I don't descend Webster-Jackson in non-winter, but I now remember. A rough descent to the junction with the Webster branch, better from there. But great to see some work being done to try to rectify the erosion issues on this trail.
Saco Lake Trail was another redline for the day, a lovely, flat, and scenic alternative to the roadwalk along 302, and will certainly get more visits in the future from me!
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 | Name: |
madmattd |
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 | E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2013-08-19 |
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 | Link: |
 https://mattshikes.blogspot.com/ |
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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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