| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Chocorua, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Liberty Trail, Brook Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, September 22, 2018 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Dirt road to the parking lot. Good conditions, drive slowly you should have no problems. BIG lot, there were at least 15 cars when we got there. A few when we finished at sunset. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Many small ones. We seemed to cross the same brook and its tributaries on the Brook Trail at one point. Everything was easy, but I wonder how easy a few of the crossings are during spring run-off. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
WOW! I expected to see the maintainer with a can of paint and a brush in hand! That's how new-looking some of the blazes and arrows were on the upper ledges of the Brook Trail. Nice work. Both trails seemed well cared for. A few blowdowns, one of them looked really fresh. Wondering why there are both blue and yellow blazes in some spots. Not a problem, just curious. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Lots of dogs. Watch those ledges! |
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 | Bugs: |
With those huge winds yesterday? |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
When doing this loop, it is recommended to go clockwise. Up Brook, down Liberty. There's a reason for that. We did the opposite and came down Brook. While this direction is a feast for the eyes, the steepness of the upper ledges of Brook is somewhat unnerving. I deliberately did a lot of it on the seat of my pants, one young man behind us took a nasty spill, but was o.k. Be forewarned if you choose to descend by the Brook Trail. There were some wet spots which made it even more challenging. I had thought that the sun would have dried everything by the time we got there, but I was wrong. Once you get to the lower elevations, this trail is a joy with its beautiful open forest - majestic evergreens, the brook itself, etc.
I read that Liberty is one of the easiest ascents of Chocorua. We were up at the cabin before we knew it. Gradual grade, nice footbed. Once you pass the cabin and start ascending the cone, there are a couple challenging spots for short people. If I made it you most likely will make it, too. Then the views start. Go early so you can take time to enjoy the different perspectives. It was really too windy a day to sit on the summit for more than a few minutes, but Chocorua has so many other spots where you can get a little bit out of the wind.
Cabin is nice, in good condition. There are nine bunks, a water source, and an outhouse. No fires allowed, but someone didn't get the message (a little charcoal nearby). I'd like to stay here and watch the sunrise/sunset from the summit, but those challenging areas would make me nervous with just a headlamp. Something to consider for later... |
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 | Name: |
Beckie and Prema |
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 | E-Mail: |
beckiejani@yahoo.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2018-09-23 |
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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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