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Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks East Sleeper, NH
Trails
Trails: Downes Brook Trail, Kate Sleeper Trail, East Sleeper Spur
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Monday, September 25, 2017
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: At the UNH / Downes Brook trailhead along the Kanc. No fee at the moment, the iron ranger is covered up. 
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment:  
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: All ten crossings of Downes Brook were done on rocks, but caution is still needed as many of these rocks are very slippery due to algae / moss. 
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes: No issues on DBT up to the wilderness boundary. After that, it’s lots of blowdowns all the way to the ridge. Most are stepovers, some are duckunders, none are complicated. One short section of trail shortly before the ridge is washed out. Waterbars need cleaning. No issues on KST. Both trails are brushy, but they’re in a wilderness area. Ironically, DBT has a few old blazes within the wilderness area, but none outside of it. 
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes: Sure. Lots of water on this route. 
Bugs
Bugs: A few mosquitoes due to the humidity and proximity of the brook the whole way. 
Lost and Found
Lost and Found: Nothing. 
 
Comments
Comments: I took a loooooong walk along the entire length of DBT as part of a task for the Forest Service. Since I was in the neighborhood, I continued on to East Sleeper.

Mostly dry trail on DBT except for the rocky stretches, which were slick from the humidity. No significant mud. The lower section of trail was wet on the way down from rain that I did not experience.

A few muddy areas along KST, as well as a couple of confusing turns where a path goes toward the swamp, and another to a campsite. This area could be a little clearer. This was my first time seeing the destruction along this ridge from Irene, and it is astounding. What is more astounding is the amount of work that went into WODC clearing the trail. Simply amazing, thank you! Some minor gymnastics remain through this area though, as anything that could be gotten under was left in place.

The spur to East Sleeper was easy to spot and is blazed. It leads to the wooded, viewless summit, where there is a sign and combo cairn / fire ring. I had lunch here and followed the same route back out.

I didn’t see a single person all day, and it really feels like you are in the middle of nowhere out here. Just a few minutes after I got back to the car, the skies opened and it poured heavily.

A great day in the wilderness!  
Name
Name: KenM 
E-Mail
E-Mail: kmacgray@gmail.com 
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2017-09-25 
Link
Link: https:// 
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