Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
| Peaks |
Mt. Moosilauke (attempt), NH |
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| Trails: |
Tunnell Brook Road, Benton Trail, Tunnell Brook Trail |
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| Date of Hike: |
Tuesday, November 7, 2017 |
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| Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Tunnel Brook Road is CLOSED. This 1.4 miles road is 50% paved and 50% dirt. A crew was working on the paved section when I arrived. I think they are finished but I can't be 100% sure. The dirt-part has taken a major hit and is for sure not passable and it adds ~0.7 miles to the hike. The road-crew did not know when it might be fixed.
Note: I think the TH is accessible from 116 (Boutin Corner) but I can't be 100% sure. I have never gone in that way and did not have time to explore it during this outing.
There are road-repairs (more storm damage) going on on 112 (West-side towards Woodsville) but the road is open. |
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| Surface Conditions: |
Wet Trail, Standing/Running Water on Trail |
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| Recommended Equipment: |
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| Water Crossing Notes: |
The Tunnel Brook crossing is rock-hoppable with some caution. |
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| Trail Maintenance Notes: |
No - this was not really a failed attempt on Moosilauke. The purpose was do trail-work on my adopted trail (Benton) and assess damage from the recent storm.
Sections of Tunnel Brook tr. (the pre-Irene Tunnel Brook Road section) has been washed out and some of the trail is compromised. 2 culverts have washed out and a 3rd is going. This section is passable with a bit of extra caution.
The Benton tr. is now cleared of debris and blowdowns with the following exceptions:
1. There is a major blowdown right at the Tunnel Brook crossing (west-side). It can easily be bypassed (to the right) and that leads to what is probably the best crossing point of the brook anyway.
2. I had to stop work at ~4,100 ft. - about 0.4 miles from the Beaver Brook tr. jct. (I ran out of time, energy and daylight). There are some leaners in this area but they are easy to bypass. There will be some debris for sure on the last 0.4 miles to the jct. but I think the risk of any major blowdowns is small.
3. There are a handful of leaners at lower elevation (starting about 0.2 miles from the Tunnel Brook crossing). This is old stuff, is easily by-passable (walk-under) and will be dealt with when it - eventually - falls to the ground. |
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| Dog-Related Notes: |
Should be fine for canines. |
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| Bugs: |
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| Lost and Found: |
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| Comments: |
Just after the crossing of Tunnel Brook (~0.1 miles) there is evidence of logging road construction. The trail crosses the newly constructed road. This construction has happened within the last month or so and I can only guess that it means preparation for some logging activity in this area during the winter. |
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| Name: |
LongMark |
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| E-Mail: |
perfrost@yahoo.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2017-11-08 |
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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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