| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Paugus, Mt. Mexico, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Cabin Trail, Lawrence Trail, Old Paugus Trail, Big Rock Cave Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Sunday, August 4, 2019 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
fine and more than expected on Rt. 113A across from Cabin Trail trailhead |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Whitin Brook was fine to cross on Big Rock Cave Tr albeit had to step on some wet ones |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
great shape despite adjacent fields of blowdowns throughout. Great job WODC. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
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 | Bugs: |
minimal although we applied our new favorite Ranger Ready picaridin about 30 min into the hike, then again on Big Rock Cave Tr. late day as the mosquitos started re-arriving. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
wonderful 52 WAV hike with unusual Sandwich Wilderness views that extend to the Belknaps, Ossippees and even a peek at Flume. Easier than most White trails; only the very summit areas of Mt. Paugus required care on gravely scree and some rocky drops esp. descending Old Paugus Tr. Definitely belongs on this list although per White Mountain Guide you have to move south at the main big ledge to find the side path down to the real money shot of a view.
Ascending Big Rock Cave Trail after a longish day was most unwelcome but the cave was worth it, and the last 0.9 of that trail was a smooth and easy logging road which helped us go fast back to the car.
We debated whether a counter-clockwise trek per a comment in Steve Smith's Mountain Wandering 2011 blog about Paugus would be easier on the knees esp on the tricky section of Old Paugus Tr descending the peak. Personally I'm glad I did it clockwise. Ascent was gradual and easy, and being able to almost run back to the car on the Big Rock Cave Tr's final logging road section was a plus.
Can't wait to do Square Ledge which we could see clearly from atop Paugus. |
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 | Name: |
TwinMom+1 |
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 | E-Mail: |
mk@mkmarinac.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2019-08-05 |
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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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