| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Square Ledge , NH |
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 | Trails: |
Oliverian Brook Trail, Square Ledge Branch, Square Ledge Trail, Passaconaway Cutoff |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, March 21, 2020 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
I was surprised to see as many cars and people as I did on the Kanc in all the touristy spots (please be careful out there everyone!) but I was the only one in the Oliverian Brook Lot at 3:30pm and 7:30pm. Only a small space at the beginning is plowed in winter and there’s still snow on the rest so there’s only room for maybe a half dozen cars at the moment. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Snow - Trace/Minimal Depth, Wet Trail, Ice - Blue, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular, Mud - Minor/Avoidable |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes, Light Traction |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Although water levels are normal now (Monday), water was still a bit high Saturday. The crossings weren’t at all dangerous but took some pondering, creativity, and a sharp eye to be able to see how I could get across without wading above my boot (waterproof boots recommended by the way) on some (mainly on Oliverian Brook Trail and Passaconaway Cutoff). One crossing in particular, while perhaps not as high as others, had just about nothing to hop across on unlike most well travelled crossings in the Whites. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
I don’t believe any of these trails were blazed other than some blue diamonds on the lower portion of Oliverian Brook Trail for the ski trail. Maybe an old faded blaze or two but the majority of this hike is in a wilderness area so don’t expect a whole lot. The trails are somewhat well travelled though particularly in summer so they shouldn’t be hard to follow. The blowdown I mentioned a month or two ago on Square Ledge Branch is either still there (but not at all how I remember it) or was taken care of and another around the same spot has taken its place! Probably a few other blowdowns I’m forgetting about. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
I didn’t see any but I did see some of their turds (along with some other interesting scat particularly near the high point of Square Ledge!). Probably an okay loop for fit hiking dogs. Some may need assistance on the steep/scrambly parts of Square Ledge. |
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 | Bugs: |
None |
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 | Lost and Found: |
None |
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|
 | Comments: |
Another late in the day hike Saturday. 37F when I started in the heat of the day around 3:45pm. Very sunny and clear which was nice and I very rarely felt or even heard the wind even on top although it was supposed to be a very windy day.
After my rough experience postholing yesterday I threw my snowshoes on my pack just in case. Of course they weren’t necessary and I was able to spike the whole thing though. The snow was soft and mushy perhaps warranting snowshoes when it was in direct sunlight but this was really only at the beginning of the trail. When in the shade things were usually very solid. I still recommend bringing snowshoes if it’s a warm day though because there is still a snowpack in there as this is on the north side of the mountain and if it were warm enough that the packed trail became unstable, postholing down would really suck. Things were noticeably firmer on the lower portions of Oliverian Brook Trail on my return as the temp had dropped a few degrees and the sun no longer shown.
All trails had seen some prior travel if minimally on some (such as Square Ledge Branch). Didn’t see anyone on the trails. The main ledge Spur is obvious however I did not find the other spur near the high point that’s mentioned in the guidebook.
Only a few short spots that didn’t have snow cover. They were usually wet with some water running over them but generally not much mud. I’d definitely use spikes but the ice wasn’t that bad either. |
|
 | Name: |
Liam Cooney |
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 | E-Mail: |
liamcooney96@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2020-03-23 |
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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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