| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Whiteface, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Downes Brook Trail, Kate Sleeper Trail, Rollins Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, September 20, 2014 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Plenty of parking @ the Downes Brook lot on the Kanc when I arrived early this morning but vehicles were lined up along the driveway when I returned this afternoon. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
All 100...I mean 10...on the Downes Brook Trail can be rock-hopped. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Yes: there are many blowdowns on the Downes Brook Trail however none significantly impede forward progress. There are a couple of duck-unders and a couple of sit-n-spins but the rest can be easily negotiated with simple step overs. Judging by some of the wood chips and cuts I saw it appears some blowdown maintenance was done somewhat recently (thank you).
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
I saw two on the Rollins Trail with their owners. |
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 | Bugs: |
None. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
FOUND on the Downes Brook Trail: an empty Hannaford's roast beef sub wrapper. Really??? |
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 | Comments: |
In general the Downes Brook Trail provided mostly good footing (be careful of wet rocks at water crossings) and gradual grades. In fact it didn't seem like there was much elevation change at all except for the last mile or so - and even that was only moderate. There was nothing challenging about these sections of the Kate Sleeper and Rollins Trails either. If you like the sights and/or sounds of moving water in the wilderness the Downes Brook Trail is most enjoyable.
At the Rollins/Kate Sleeper junction I met two hikers (with their dogs) who apparently came up from Ferncroft (they didn't know which trail but I gather it may have been Dicey's Mill) and were trying to make some sort of loop hike but proceeded to miss Passaconaway entirely. I took out my map to show them where they were versus where they parked and one remarked 'we need to get one of these' (yup). After suggesting they might not want to descend down the Blueberry Ledge Trail they decided to go back through the Rollins Trail toward Passaconaway again. I further suggested they take a picture of my map so they wouldn't get lost again, to which the other replied 'that's not a bad idea' (nope).
Not sure what happened to today's forecast but it was cool, windy and damp all day with the higher elevations being in the clouds. Despite it still being summer the wool sweater, hat and gloves all made appearances today...which is more than I could say about the sun. I only saw four other hikers today leaving the summit - and lots of time - to myself. |
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 | Name: |
HMJ |
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 | E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2014-09-20 |
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 | Link: |
 https:// |
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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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