| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
North Lafayette, Mt. Lafayette, Mt. Truman, Mt. Lincoln, Little Haystack Mountain, Mt. Liberty, Mt. Flume, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Skookumchuck Trail, Garfield Ridge Trail, Franconia Ridge Trail, Osseo Trail, Lincoln Woods Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Sunday, August 18, 2013 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Plenty at Skookumchuck lot, Lincoln Woods lot was 2/3 full at 6AM, probably very full later in the morning. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
n/a |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
All trails clear and in great shape. A little brushy on Franconia Ridge between Little Haystack and Liberty Springs, but way better than I've seen it in the past. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Saw many, most doing the Lincoln/Lafayette Loop. Aside from a lack of water, dogs should have no problem with this loop. We even saw a dog low on Osseo that had run a Pemi Loop with his human, under 10 hours at that point and looking happy if a bit tired! |
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 | Bugs: |
A few here and there in the trees, but not a problem. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
We all came out with a few bits of trash. Saw lots of TP in places...and someone (possibly a dog, but it doesn't matter) took a dump right along the trail... |
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 | Comments: |
Not the perfect weather day advertised, as the light overcast skies stayed all day, but it was still a great day for the ridge traverse.
Skookumchuck was my request, as I was curious to explore a new trail, and we both really enjoyed it. Moderate, steady grade after the initial flats, and great footing throughout. The path less traveled, but a great one worth more trips.
Only a few people at Lafayette's summit, including Scott who was planning to descend Flume Slide and walk back to his car at the Old Bridle Path. He came along with us for the rest of the trip instead since we had to pass his car to retrieve our other one anyway, great to meet and chat with you after reading many of your reports!
The ridge was busy, but not insane, we must have beat the crowds as we cleared Little Haystack around noon. A few people at both Liberty and Flume, but again less than expected given the forecast. All in all, a pretty nice day traversing the ridge, doesn't get any better than that!
Saw a minimum of 3 Pemi Loopers, one CW one near North Lafayette who was only 3 hours in but cruising, another on Flume who was looping from the Liberty Springs TH (and so almost done, started at ~2am), and a third down low on the Osseo Trail running with his dog who likely finished around the 10.5 hour mark - both still looking plenty strong at that point.
Just too bad that Woodstock Inn was so packed even the bar had no room, and a table was a 1.5 hour wait. Will have to come back for that 4000-Footer IPA another time :( Mad River Tavern was a good consolation prize though.
Thanks again Theresa for pushing for this hike when I was going to stay home, and hope to see you out there again someday Scott! |
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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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