| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Hale, NH |
|
 | Trails: |
Hale Brook Trail, Lend-A-Hand Trail, Twinway, Zealand Trail |
|
 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, August 10, 2019 |
|
 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Hale Brook parking near full at 8am, parking available adjacent on road. Plenty of parking at lower Zealand lot at 8am. |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable |
|
 | Recommended Equipment: |
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|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
None of note. Brook crossings very low on ascent up Hale Brook. Boggy area requires more balancing and rock hopping on lower part of Lend-A-Hand, but nothing is submerged. August makes this easy - I can see where this would be a different experience in spring. |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Trails in excellent shape. Especially noted good maintenance going up Hale Brook. Thank you maintenance crews! |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
A few happy pups out for the day, especially on Zealand Trail where the grade and footing are easiest. |
|
 | Bugs: |
Surprisingly few bugs all weekend. Barely needed repellent. Polar opposite of this past spring. |
|
 | Lost and Found: |
None |
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|
 | Comments: |
Overnight heavy rain scrubbed a planned early start, changed plans to start later and loop over Hale, down Lend-A-Hand, to Zealand Hut, then down the easy Zealand Trail. This is a great loop and excellent way to experience 8.5 miles of hiking without major scrambles or difficulty.
Hale Brook is very steep (~2300ft over 2.2mi), but more of an endless staircase. Footing is good, trail is in great shape, and there are no spots of significant exposure or scrambling. Multiple places to sit for a snack on the summit.
Lend-A-Hand is a more gentle and quiet descent. Footing is poor lower down around the bog bridges, but it's a nice walk. The trail appears to be less traveled, and is a more remote experience without being significantly deep in the wilderness. I liked that.
Zealand Hut is a fun visit with a good view, and Zealand Trail generally one of the easiest trail I've experienced in the Whites.
My first hike report. #17/48 for me. |
|
 | Name: |
Lord Bass |
|
 | E-Mail: |
lordbass at gee mail dotcom |
|
| Date Submitted: |
2019-08-12 |
|
 | 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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