| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Anna, Mt. Mack, Mt. Klem, Rand Mountain, West Quarry Mountain, East Quarry Mountain, Straightback Mountain (North Peak), Straightback Mountain, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Snowmobile Corridor 22 (Old Stage Road), Anna-Goat Trail, Belknap Range Trail, Dave Roberts Quarry Trail, Quarry Interpretive Loop, Belknap Range Trail, Precipice Path (west branch), unnamed woods road, Snowmobile Corridor 22 (Old Stage Road) |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, May 16, 2015 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
I parked at the very end of Alton Mountain Road at a small pull off, across from the last house on the street, which is for sale. I met a local who was unsure if the sale of the property would affect this access point. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
A few, but none significant. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Trails are in good shape for the most part. Some minor blowdowns along the BRT. Precipice Path gets a little brushy from light use. I couldn't find the connecting woods road over to PP on the way up, but it was obvious when I came back down that way. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Fine for dogs, but not a lot of water along the way, so be sure to pack enough. |
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 | Bugs: |
They were AWFUL on the south side of the range, and at lower elevations. I mean, really bad. I had a cloud of black flies around me at times. At higher elevations they weren't too bad, and there was a breeze up higher which helped. Lots of bumblebees buzzing around all the open ledgy areas. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
One pair of Outdoor Research ankle gaiters on the cliffs along the Precipice Trail. I carried 'em out. |
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 | Comments: |
I finished up the Belknap 12 hiking list with a big long loop over the five peaks I had left: Mt. Anna, Mt. Mack, Mt. Klem, Rand Mountain and West Quarry Mountain. Along the way, I also hit three other mountains, East Quarry Mountain and the north and south summits of Straightback Mountain, making for an eight peak day.
I altered my route slightly to traverse the entire length of the Dave Roberts Quarry Trail because I was enjoying it so much. What a great trail! Wonderful varied terrain and it feels very wild and remote. Parts of are rugged and very steep to make things interesting.
I wanted to take Precipice Trail up to Anna, but couldn't find the connecting woods road over to it from the snowmobile corridor. So I ended up coming down it on my way out. The waterfall/rockslide on the western branch of the PP is very impressive and also very rugged/rocky/steep, so I would definitely recommend ascending it! There are some short chimney-like sections which were "interesting" to descend.
Dry trails overall, I only ran into one small area of mud on the DRQT.
Nice to see a few fellow hikers I "know" from Facebook along the way. I developed a new appreciation for the Belknap Range today. There's some great hiking in there! |
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 | Name: |
KenM |
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 | E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2015-05-17 |
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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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