| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Moriah, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Stony Brook Trail, Carter-Moriah Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Wednesday, November 20, 2019 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Large, plowed parking area at Stony Brook trailhead off of NH 16. This was pure slush when I pulled in at 10am, but my Prius had no issues parking. I was the only car at the beginning and end. Kiosk and hiker signs at trailhead. Room for 30 cars in the lot. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Snow - Drifts, Slush |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes, Light Traction |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
The first crossings of Stony Brook are on bridges. The remainder pose no threat as rocks are above water levels and higher elevation crossings are starting to freeze over. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Several blowdown on Stony Brook. Only one lies in the trail and it is near the start of the trail. All others can be stepped over, slid over, or crawled under. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
No issues that would threaten dogs. There is a housing development adjacent to the first mile of the trail. Advise to keep dogs leashed during this portion. |
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 | Bugs: |
Ha! No! |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
Stony Brook is blue blazed with good frequency until the old logging road. Blazes become more sparse but are present. Some are more faded than others. The corridor was simple to discern at this snow level. Pay attention and you will stay on trail.
Stony Brook snow progression: annoying slush up to the logging road. Then approx 1 inch of good, crunchy snow up to the beginning of the steeper ascent. From this point to the junction with the Carter-Moriah there was about three inches of good powder. Traction only needed for this part. Rocks protrude too much to allow snowshoes.
Carter-Moriah is blazed in standard white AT blazing. Carins on the ledges and knob barely visible under snow coating but they are there. Blazing is excellent where tree size permit painting. Otherwise, use your “AT sense†to know where the trail is likely to go (as in “man, those trees look tight. There’s no way the trail goes that way. Oh wait, it does go that way!â€).
Carter-Moriah snow progression: my snowshoes were HUNGRY and this trail fed them! I donned the shoes at the Stony Brook/Carter-Moriah junction and had the best time! 6 inches of snow, mostly powder, big slabs of rock covered by snow, no other tracks... I’m in winter heaven! Drifts present in exposed areas.
All junction signs still above snow and legible. Excellent signage at all junctions.
Bear tracks on Stony Brook. Looks to be a juvenile. I made a TON of noise hiking just in case... thank goodness I am a clumsy hiker! |
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 | Name: |
Remington34 |
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 | E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2019-11-20 |
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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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