Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
| Peaks |
Mt. Hale, Thoreau Falls, NH |
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| Trails: |
Zealand Road, Hale Brook Trail, Lend-A-Hand Trail, Twinway, Ethan Pond Trail, Thoreau Falls Trail, Zealand Trail |
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| Date of Hike: |
Saturday, April 23, 2016 |
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| Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Zealand Road gated but completely dry. Number of cars in winter lot; several from boy scout group from Mass.. |
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| Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Ice - Blue, Wet/Slippery Rock, Ice - Breakable Crust, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Mud - Significant, Snow/Ice - Monorail (Unstable), Leaves - Significant/Slippery, Snow/Ice - Small Patches |
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| Recommended Equipment: |
Light Traction |
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| Water Crossing Notes: |
Crossings on the Hale Brook Tr. were slightly challenging; poles very helpful with water running over rocks. I checked out the crossings on Twinway above Zealand Hut and upper one was a long leap over 18" deep channel of swiftly flowing water. One I wouldn't have tried but probably a better alternative nearby. Crossing at Thoreau Falls--- (bring a pole for pole vaulting). |
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| Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Blowdown up high on Hale Brook Tr. right next to one recently cleared out. Couple of blowdowns on Ethan Pond Tr.. |
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| Dog-Related Notes: |
None seen today; actually only saw 2 likely hikers (riding by on bikes) other than those staying at Hut where dogs aren't allowed. Trails would be fine for them; plentiful water; moose tracks for over a mile on Zealand Road. |
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| Bugs: |
A few seen. |
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| Lost and Found: |
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| Comments: |
Changed plans 4 times today due to early day weather, stream crossings and ice. Ended up going over Hale and then spending some time enjoying Thoreau Falls. Hale Brook Tr. had a nice split in conditions. Easily bare booted on mostly dry trail until above the upper brook crossing. Above crossing was a fairly consistent dirty ice floe. Water on top made it quite slick but sharp spikes handled it well. Near summit was bare on either side for a few hundred yards. Lend-a-Hand Tr. offered up the "spikes on-spikes off" conditions the entire length of it. My "rock spikes" probably not aggressive enough to wear though here. Only a few small patches of ice/snow on trails I used today below the Hut. Nice summer like walking was a welcome change from all the ice lately. Both falls were awesome today. |
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| Name: |
franco |
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| E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2016-04-23 |
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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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