| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Zeacliff, South Hale, Mt. Hale, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Zealand Trail, Ethan Pond Trail, Zeacliff Trail, Twinway, Zeacliff Pond Spur, Lend-A-Hand Trail, bushwhack, Hale Brook Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Thursday, September 19, 2019 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
We had parking stickers on our cars because Zealand Trailhead is a fee area. Plenty of parking available at Zealand and Hale Brook Trailheads |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
All easily rock hop-able |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
cut out an annoying step-over blowdown on Twin Way just north of the Zeacliff Spur. Trails were amazingly clear! thank you maintainers |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Why not |
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 | Bugs: |
none |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
Bria and Danielle collect their redlines while I recalled memories haha. First frost and a cold morning that turned into a fine warm day, we made quick work getting to the Zeacliff Trail. We had million dollar views all day and saw only a couple people during the day. At the top of the Zeacliff Trail we headed south to get the pond spur for danielle and saw the view over the pond to Carrigain, water is low low. Backtracked and the went to Zeacliff and ate lunch and took lots of photos. Down down down to Lend-a-Hand, the Whitewall Brook crossings were easy due to low low water. From Lend-a-Hand we started our bushwhack just before the wet area, elevation 3400', heading into the woods below cliffs and wrapping our way around west and then south on some sweet herd paths to the top of the north lower bump on our way to the SW bump we got a bit too far north and into a some thick spruce that we immediately abandoned by heading more south. Summit is recognized and I like the name Zeale much more than South Hale. We flew back on the return staying more south through open woods and using more nice herd paths (plenty of moose poop). We enjoyed some views south and southeast but didn't go to the ledge proper. Back on the first bump we discovered a memorial laminated paper for marcia bacon and left it there. We retraced our way on the splendid herd path back down and through the steep but dry slope back to the trail. We had Hale summit all to ourselves and played with our compasses on the magnetic rocks on the summit cairn. After we retrieved our cars we stopped to take a stroll and to have a refreshment at the Wildlife Pond (included in the Sugarloaf Trail description WMG), just 2/10ths, swell board walk and big vista to middle sugarloaf's ledgy face, well worth the tiny effort. |
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 | Name: |
Nordic Gal, Danielle, bria |
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 | E-Mail: |
amybike@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2019-09-20 |
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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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