| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Shaw, Black Snoot, Big Ball Mountain, Little Ball Mountain, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Mt. Shaw Trail, Black Snout Trail, Banana Trail, Tate Mountain Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Tuesday, May 12, 2020 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
A few good-sized potholes, but nothing too significant. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Mud - Significant |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Water levels are moderate, though flowing fast, providing a pleasant soundtrack for most of the hike. Only one tricky crossing of the stream you cross to ascend Shaw, be smart about it and you shouldn't have an issue. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Blazes are difficult to follow/see on the way to the Shaw-Black Snout junction, though the footpath is worn enough that it often makes the correct path obvious. On the way up Shaw, there's a few blowdowns, but mostly mud and muck hinder your progress the most, though neither the blowdowns nor mud are too major. Trail conditions drop dramatically after departing Black Snout for Big Ball, and more so for Big Ball to Little Ball. Trail is becoming overgrown from BS to BB, with lots of slippery rock, faded blazes, and at least one significant blowdown. From BB to LB, the path turns more into a game trail, which is becoming significantly overgrown due to obvious lack of foot-traffic. Blazes from BB to LB are so faded as to be almost non-existent. If one keeps their eyes sharp, and uses common sense, the trail should make itself seen. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Perfect dog trail. |
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 | Bugs: |
Found Nick the Tick on my boot, ascending from LB to BB, will check myself over for more. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
The trails are 99% snow free, and violets and trilliums are blooming, so it appears Spring has sprung in the Ossipee Mountains. This being the case, expect mud and muck on a traverse up Shaw. Was surprised at how the trail becomes like a highway upon reaching Black Snout Trail, in it's width and low incline, and even more surprised (pleasantly) at the incredible views of the Whites at the peak. Sheltering from the wind on the southern side of Black Snout, the grass was so soft and the sun so warm, that I took a short nap before continuing on to Big Ball and Little Ball. As I mentioned above, the trail conditions drop quite noticeably from Big Ball on down to Little Ball, the reason I believe is owed to less foot-traffic (which was obvious on Little Ball,) but it was not enough to dissuade me from completing them. For what my opinion is worth, I would recommend reblazing the whole trail for good measure, and some general maintenance from Big Ball to Little Ball. |
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 | Name: |
Brettski |
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 | E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2020-05-12 |
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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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