NewEnglandTrailConditions.com
NewEnglandTrailConditions.com:
MA
|
ME
|
NH
|
RI/CT
|
VT
|
Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks Mt. Chocorua, NH
Trails
Trails: Brook Trail, Liberty Trail
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Friday, April 25, 2014
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: Paugus Rd had a few muddy spots and some ruts, a spot or two of snow, but for a person who lives on a dirt road these weren't a problem at all in a Corolla. The parking area had a little mud/wet, but is pretty solid. Other hikers said the Piper's Ledge parking area is fully open. 
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Dry Trail, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Significant, Snow/Ice - Monorail (Unstable), Snow/Ice - Postholes 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment: Light Traction 
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: Rock hops. 
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes: Each trail had a significant walk around blowdown and some minor ones. I took out a couple. Liberty from about 2500' down a fair ways has running water in it. I got two leaf/branch clogged waterbars to work which helped a lot but it's only temporary. Liberty from this point down even further also had a lot of mud under leaves so people are trying to use the sides of the trail, sometimes sliding in. On Brook I got ahead of Pepper and lost the trail, probably where it has been relocated, and failing to find it, I finally decided to just follow the brook up to a side brook if need be, based on my map. I came across a few old blazes on what appeared to be at best herd paths, but after a few minutes came up and hit the trail which was obvious at that point. My advice if one loses the trail in this area is to just push ahead through the hardwoods along the trail until it shows up, and not waste time looking for paint. 
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes: Good trails for Pepper. He had his first sip n dips of the season, and they felt soooo good. The upper sections of trail are dry, although Pepper ate some snow for a drink. We met a nice dog, Zig, who was enjoying the day. 
Bugs
Bugs: None 
Lost and Found
Lost and Found: I had a microspike fall from my pack but a nice couple following me (Zig's pals) found it and ran up to catch me to return it. Thanks! 
 
Comments
Comments: I carried snowshoes but never used them. I did use microspikes on Brook for a stretch of ice before the first extended set of ledges, and then again for a brief spell near the top. I could have barebooted relying on debris in the ice and treeholds, but it would have been so much slower, and that was going up. Once one hits the open ledges take them off; they go on for a ways. Liberty had much more snow, and it was soft corn snow for the descent so spikes might have helped some but weren't needed. The ledges were for dry for the most part, including the ones on Liberty that can be nasty in the shoulder seasons. There were a few places of deep snow, and even some postholes that may have created some temporary sopranos, but the rotting monorail, where it exists, was still supportive this day. It was a splendid day on top, with lots of sun, blue skies and little wind. There were a fair number of people but not the crowds that typically are found there on nice days. We saw a little snowman below the summit; partially melted, likely Sue's? We met a guy who stayed at the Liberty hut who said he had to get down and roll up to the summit yesterday due to the high winds, that also blew big trees across the Kanc and other roads.

This was a last minute decision to hike, as I was getting read for work, after seeing how beautiful it was out and how crummy the weekend forecast was, while having some unused 2013 vacation days. Sometimes these are the best. Thanks Pepper for a delightful day on the trails.  
Name
Name: Pepper and Me 
E-Mail
E-Mail: windriversjohn at gmail dot com 
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2014-04-25 
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.

Copyright 2009-2024, All Rights Reserved