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Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks Mt. Crawford, Stairs Mountain, Mt. Davis, Mt. Isolation, Mt. Washington, NH
Trails
Trails: Davis Path, Crawford Spur, Stairs Spur, Davis Spur, Isolation Spur, Crawford Path, Trinity Heights Connector, Gulfside, Jewell Trail
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Friday, October 4, 2013
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: Spotted a car at the USFS lot for Jewell which had a few cars, and parked at the large and otherwise unused lot at the Davis Path. The Cog RR area has a hikers parking area for $5 a car. 
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Dry Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment:  
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: No significant unbridged crossings. 
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes: A couple of blowdowns early on. Some waterbars filled with rocks & dirt. One active eroding rocks section; I think before Crawford. Prior to the Crawford spur we got off the trail a bit onto some nice open ledges with some small cairns and a ribbon, but hiked back enough to catch the trail veering off to the right. There were some relatively short sections heading towards the Davis spur that had standing water & mud, but there were enough rocks to use to stay dry. The notorious mud pits with log remnants north of Isolation were pretty easy to get around. 
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes: Pepper might give this a 2-3 paws up hike. He thoroughly enjoyed his companions. He only found a couple drainages big enough for sip n dips until near the end. But the paths were relatively paw friendly, modest slopes, with comfy temps and cloud shaded sun. We didn't see anyone until Isolation and only a few thereafter other than on Washington, so he was pretty free to go where he wanted, which was pretty much right with us. We saw a few dogs after Isolation, all dogs pleasant and enjoying themselves. 
Bugs
Bugs: One that flew into my mouth and set up shop for an annoying 15 minutes in the nasopharynx until entering the food chain.  
Lost and Found
Lost and Found:  
 
Comments
Comments: This is a somewhat long hike given the distances, and the numerous peaks and other places that make for nice breaks, so it really helps to have great companions to make the time go quickly and share the views. Almost all the hard work is getting up Crawford, and then Crawford Path on Washington's dome; the climb up from North Isolation to near Boott Spur isn't bad. There are plenty of nice views with lots of colors in the valleys, but it did cloud up before reaching Davis, and we were even hit with a few drops there, before some clearing later. There was enough wind on Washington to get us to put on some gloves and an added layer, but for the most part conditions were comfy for somewhat summery type hiking. It's always nice to visit with Guy on the summit. All in all it was a splendid hike. Thanks Pepper & Erica.  
Name
Name: Pepper and Me 
E-Mail
E-Mail: windriversjohn at gmail dot com 
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2013-10-04 
Link
Link: https:// 
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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