NewEnglandTrailConditions.com
NewEnglandTrailConditions.com:
MA
|
ME
|
NH
|
RI/CT
|
VT
|
Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks Mt. Hale, Thoreau Falls, NH
Trails
Trails: Zealand Road, Hale Brook Trail, Lend-A-Hand Trail, Twinway, Ethan Pond Trail, Thoreau Falls Trail, Zealand Trail
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Saturday, April 23, 2016
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: Zealand Road gated but completely dry. Number of cars in winter lot; several from boy scout group from Mass.. 
Surface Conditions
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 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment: Light Traction 
Water Crossing Notes
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). 
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes: Blowdown up high on Hale Brook Tr. right next to one recently cleared out. Couple of blowdowns on Ethan Pond Tr.. 
Dog-Related Notes
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. 
Bugs
Bugs: A few seen. 
Lost and Found
Lost and Found:  
 
Comments
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.  
Name
Name: franco 
E-Mail
E-Mail:  
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2016-04-23 
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