| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Hight, Carter Dome, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Wild River Trail, Black Angel Trail, Carter-Moriah Trail, Rainbow Trail, herd paths |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, May 14, 2016 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Plenty of room in the Basin/Wild River trailhead. Wild River Road in good shape. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Snow/Ice - Monorail (Stable), Mud - Significant, Snow/Ice - Monorail (Unstable), Snow - Spring Snow, Slush |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Light Traction |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Thoroughly surprised that I was able to rock hop (granted with a big jump) the Wild River at Black Angel Trail... on the way in, and out. I stood in the river on my way out, in spite of the dry hop. The two upper crossings coming down from No Ketchum Pond were rock hops. The double crossing above Eagle Link resulted in wet shoes, stepped on rocks just below the surface. Red Brook was an easy hop. Spruce Brook was crossed on rocks under the surface, wet shoes. Water levels much lower than I expected after the rain last night. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
A few stepovers and a duckunder on Wild River Trail below Black Angel. Black Angel had a myriad number of stepovers and duckunders, and some minor muddy sections. The bits of Carter-Moriah I traveled were in good shape. Rainbow had a few stepovers and some branches down in the trail. Wild River between Rainbow and Black Angel was pretty wet and muddy in a lot of spots, rotten bog bridging and some stepping stones (some) is the norm. There is a lot of hobblebush encroaching on the trail in spots too. A bunch of stepovers makes this section drag on. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Saw one out with its human at Eagle Link junction, out for the night and in good spirits. |
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 | Bugs: |
Pretty annoying when stopped, especially on Hight for some reason. It's that time of year! |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
It turned out to be a brilliant day, now if only I could have been so smart and put my shoes in the car... but no, I almost got to the trailhead before I figured it out. So after a delayed start, I got after it. Wild River below Black Angel was quick hiking, some leaves starting to unfurl. Black Angel was fantastic, with many Trillium, Spring Beauties, and so many Trout Lily that it was overwhelming. Patches of ice starting about 3500', never consistent, though there are some soft spots, many bare areas in between. Carter-Moriah had a more consistent monorail, but it was warm enough that my shoes gripped the soft ice well. I carried spikes, but never put them on. Some icy patches descending Rainbow for the first few hundred vertical, then nice dry trail from there on out. Wild River from Perkins Notch back to Black Angel was a crapshoot, many blowdowns to negotiate, along with much mud, rotten bog bridging, interspersed with good walking. Great views from the peaks and near them, especially from the south shoulder of Carter Dome that Rainbow Trail passes over. Followed some herd paths to some excellent views to the south and west. Saw three folks on Hight, the guy with his dog, and several groups between Eagle Link and Spruce Brook, all out enjoying this gorgeous day. This is a great back way to these peaks! |
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 | Name: |
Bill Robichaud |
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 | E-Mail: |
bill.robichaud@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2016-05-14 |
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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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