| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Grant Hill, Durrell Mountain, NH |
|
 | Trails: |
Durrell Mountain Road, Unknown Snowmobile Trail, bushwhack |
|
 | Date of Hike: |
Monday, September 21, 2015 |
|
 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
i drove durrell mountain road from belmont to where it turns to dirt and continued a short distance crossing into gilford and parked at a 3 way junction. both peaks are in gilmanton, but the parking i used was just about at the corner of the 3 towns. at the junction a snowmobile trail goes left and a gate road to the right. durrell mountain road continues straight and uphill. i walked up, but a higher clearance or 4wd could drive a short distance up and park at the sign for the etta and leon tilton memorial forest and the start of the snowmobile trail i followed. |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail |
|
 | Recommended Equipment: |
|
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
|
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
|
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
|
|
 | Bugs: |
|
|
 | Lost and Found: |
|
|
|
|
|
 | Comments: |
i hiked up the road to the forest area mentioned above and picked up the snowmobile trail which was a bit overgrown in spots. it seemed to follow the route of an old road shown on the usgs at least to start. i stayed on it headed south until i was a bit north and west of grant hill and bushwhacked up in mostly open woods hitting open ledge and great views around the summit area fairly quickly. i then continued south over more ledge and scrub to the wide open south ledges. probably one of the finest viewpoints i have visited in this part of the state. from various points you can see the belknap range, western whites and up to washington and pretty much all the way around from moosilauke to the nw to the blue hills and prospect to the east. quite awesome. to get to durrell i headed north along the ridge with more ledgy openings before entering heavier woods towards the col and up towards durrell. wide open going and interesting woods with lots of animal sign (deer, moose, bear). the highpoint is fairly obvious and is home to an interesting geocache. leaving the summit i went north and out the north ridge of the peak hoping to find a viewpoint before it drops sharply down towards durrell mountain road and i wasn't disappointed. there is a great close up view to whiteface and its south cliff. i continued north negotiating a couple steep drops before quickly making it back to durrell mountain road which i hiked back to the car passing a clearly popular make shift shooting range and drinking spot as well as a couple beaver ponds along the way. |
|
 | Name: |
bryan |
|
 | E-Mail: |
bryancuddihee@yahoo.co |
|
| Date Submitted: |
2015-09-21 |
|
 | Link: |
 https:// |
|
|
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. |
|
