| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Randolph, Mt. Randolph - North Peak, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Sargent Path, Crescent Ridge Trail, bushwhack, Underhill Path, Four Soldiers Path, Vyron D. Lowe Path |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Friday, December 13, 2019 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Parked 2 cars on Durand Rd by Vyron D Lowe, spaces along roadway, pull over as much as you can. 2 more at Sargent Path to start, same issue, parking is on Durand Road and it is residential. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Wet Trail, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Snow/Ice - Postholes |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Traction |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
No major water crossings that did not have bridges |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
One of two blowdowns, many bridges. Blazing could use some freshening up in the spring on the Underhill Path and the Vyron D Lowe. Otherwise great trail maintenance by the Randolph Mountain Club |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
A redlining trip with 6 friends, all fellow redliners, one who just finished a few weeks ago and is already into his second round. Up the Sargent Path, steep climb, put spikes on at the road and kept them on all day, did not bring snowshoes, maybe could have used them on the Underhill and Four Soldiers Paths but ended up postholing, snow was soft on the north side of the mountain. Packed ice/snow on Sargent and Crescent Ridge all the way to Carlton. Great views from Lookout Ledge, small spur parallel to main trail, great spot to just come up here. One of the many nice views on this loop. After summiting actual Mt Randolph we decided based on someone's comment that Mount Randolph North Peak 3097 must be on some list and bushwhacked up to it. Started up a ski trail but it didn't go to the peak, we found the high point and then took a shorter way back to Crescent Ridge Trail. No views to speak of from either Mt Randolph. Lafayette view, we ran into the only person we would see all day, another redliner. Quick out and back to the Carlton Notch Trail and lunch at the Underhill Path junction. No one had been on the Underhill Path since the snowstorm last week. We broke trail, anywhere from 6" to 24", slow going, very wet area coming over to the Four Soldiers Path junction. Took Four Soldiers Path over to Hunters Pass Spur and walked a little way down to continue over to Pond of Safety Road. Rick reminded us that the Four Soldiers Path goes all the way to Pond of Safety on the access road which we did, nice walk to a great area. Prior traffic, ATV's so easy hiking. Back to Four Soldiers Path and breaking trail back to Crescent Ridge Trail stopping at the Eye of the Needle which we decided must have been a nice view at one time but is now just the height of land on this portion of the trail. Another nice view along the FST over to Franconia Ridge. Out the Vyron D Lowe, a little tough to follow probably more because it was getting dark. Trip took a little longer than anticipated because of the bushwhack, trail breaking and multiple stops - 10+ miles, 3000' elevation gain 7-1/2 hours. Originally we had planned on adding an extra 2.1 mile loop to finish Four Soldiers over to Pasture Lane but it was getting late and everyone wanted to beat the rain/snow. Tough ride home on 93 south, multiple spin outs and cars off the road NB & SB from Franconia Notch to Concord. |
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 | Name: |
Fred |
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 | E-Mail: |
Fredwijnenriems@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2019-12-17 |
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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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