| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mossy Glen , NH |
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 | Trails: |
Bee Line, Pasture Path, EZ Way, Randolph Hill Road, Boothman Spring Cutoff, Wood Path, Wills Way, Short Circuit, The Diagonal, Durand Road, Burnbrae, Glenside, Groveway, Bluffway |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Sunday, April 26, 2020 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
I parked at Appalachia. Two other cars there when I started around 11am and I think there were maybe 4 others when I returned at 5pm. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Snow/Ice - Monorail (Stable), Mud - Significant, Snow/Ice - Monorail (Unstable), Snow/Ice - Small Patches |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
The crossings of Carlton Brook around Mossy Glen, namely along Glenside and The Diagonal, were a bit sketchy. For one, water was much higher than I would’ve guessed based on current levels, and two, the one of Glenside crosses just above a cascade. The water wasn’t high enough to carry you away or really be dangerous but it made rock hopping tricky, and I crossed just a little extra upstream on the Glenside to avoid being anywhere near a small waterfall :) I think I managed both with dry feet but on my way back along The Diagonal I went straight across (there was an easier rock hop upstream) and wound up taking a little swim ;) Not as cold as I would’ve though! There were other crossings but they were all either bridges (how did I never hear about the Nepalese Bridge before!?!!) or trivial. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
The sign for Glenside to Mossy Glen is on the ground at the trail’s start (jct with Burnbrae). I believe all of these paths were blazed in orange. Some better than others. Bee Line as I recall was particularly well blazed. The lower portion of EZ Way (south of the jct with The Diagonal) was blazed sparsely. In general, the blaze in the RCF is enough so that you could stay on trail with some experience and trail searching in fresh winter powder, but not usually enough so that you can always see a blaze. There were obviously many blowdowns throughout this hike. Here’s what I’m sure is an incomplete logging of them: a fresh looking line tree down across the trail shortly before reaching Glover Spring Rd/Pasture Path. It was not entirely delimbed but still a fairly easy step over. Fairly small pine tree. Another stepover (very easy walk around) on the short section of Pasture Path between Glover Spring Rd and Grassy Lane. A small (would be easy to cut) upper on the portion of EZ Way between Randolph Hill Rd and Pasture Path. A large and partially delimbed step over or duck under on Will’s Way (new trail?). A large spruce on the lower portion of Wood Path. A couple old stepovers that totally obscure the footpath on the southern portion of EZ Way (I spotted a blaze so knew the trail was over them). Another old stepover shortly thereafter. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Most of these trails shouldn’t be a problem but the trails can get very narrow along side hills around Mossy Glen and the water crossings there can be tricky so I’d watch them around there. |
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 | Bugs: |
None |
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 | Lost and Found: |
After I took a dunk in the water my cell phone got a little wet so I took it out of its case (Otterbox). I believe I left one piece of it there that sort of disables the whole thing...hope I don’t drop my phone while typing this and break it!! I’d you happen to come across it and would be comfortable packing it out for me, it’d be appreciated. It would be on a log around the jct of Diagonal with Glenside. |
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 | Comments: |
I started at Appalachia. Bee Line —> out-and-back on Pasture Path between Glover Sprinf Rd and Grassy Ln —> Pasture Path —> EZ Way —> Randolph Hill Rd —> out-and-back on part of Boothman Spring Cutoff (I turned around...too much snow for trail runners) —> Randolph Hill Rd —> EZ Way —> Pasture Path —> out-and-back on Wood Path to Diagonal —> Pasture Path —> out-and back on Short Circuit —> Pasture Path —> out-and-back on Will’s Way —> Diagonal —> out-and-back on Wood Path to Durand Rd —> Diagonal —> out-and-back in EZ Way to Pasture Path —> EZ Way down to Durand Rd —> Durand Rd —> Burnbrae —> Glenside —> out-and-back on Groveway —> Bluffway —> Glenside —> Bluffway —> Glenside (made a loop through the Mossy Glen) —> Diagonal to EZ Way —> Diagonal to Burnbrae —> out-and-back on Burnbrae to Bee Line —> out-and-back on Burnbrae to Glenside —> Diagonal —> Bee Line Car. Does this make me look crazy?! 🤪😂
Bee Line was dry most of the way before a wet spot with some mud. Many of the trails I did out-and-backs on were very muddy and wet. You could tell where a lot of snow had melted yesterday. I was going to finish off some trails I needed slightly higher including Boothman Spring Cutoff but it became very clear very quickly that this was a foolhardy idea in trail runners so I turned around. You’d want waterproof boots and gaiters for that. Possibly even snowshoes (definitely snowshoes if headed to Crescent or Randolph but if staying below Castleview, then boots and gaiters may suffice). Snow was primarily on Pasture Path and Diagonal. Pasture Path had a minor monorail but was firm. Diagonal had a monorail over bog bridges that was undermined and unstable. It was short but not fun. Expect wet feet. Be careful in there not to twist an ankle.
The paths around the Mossy Glen could be a little treacherous as they’re very narrow on side hills and one slip of the foot could mean a bad tumble. The water crossings in this area are also a bit tough. I loved the amphitheater and area though. The Nepalese Bridge was a total surprise...I can’t believe I haven’t seen or heard of that before!?!
Very nice to meet another hiker out on the trails and discuss the current situation. I learned a lot from them and appreciate their hard work! |
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 | Name: |
Liam Cooney |
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 | E-Mail: |
liamcooney96@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2020-04-27 |
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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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