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Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks Mt. Jefferson, NH
Trails
Trails: Cap Ridge Trail
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Friday, June 19, 2020
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: Jefferson Notch Rd. opened on Thursday of this week, however, the signs stating that the road was closed were still up (though gate was open). 3 cars in the parking lot at trailhead when we arrived at 8am. About half full when we left at 2:30. 
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Dry Trail 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment:  
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: No water crossings, everything dry 
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes: Easily stepped around one down tree 
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes: This is not a dog friendly trail. We almost brought our well hiked collie shepherd mix because the description on AllTrails says that this is a dog friendly trail. We are really glad we did not bring him. Like another reviewer on AllTrails said, there are quite a few steep rock scrambles to navigate which most dogs would not be able to overcome on their own. While a very agile dog may be able to navigate the whole trail, the other reviewer had to abandon their hike on this trail because their dog could not and it was too heavy to lift. Between the heat and the steep scrambles, we would have had to abandon our hike had we brought our dog as well (and he was able to go down Flume Gorge with assistance in just two spots.) We were leapfrogging a dad and son who were hiking with a super well mannered small/med pittie mix who appeared to be very agile and in good shape and they had to lift him up at a few spots. Additionally, the dog's paws were bleeding from the sharp rocks by the time they got to the summit. Lastly, there are no water sources along this trail and there are long exposed sections (hot in warm weather), so you would need to carry a lot of extra water for a dog. The pittie owner was making extra rest/water stops for the dog, because of the heat. On our way down, we did see the other two small black dogs that the other Cap Ridge Trail reviewer mentioned as one was defecating right in the middle of the trail and despite pointing it out to the hikers of the dogs, who were resting at that point, they didn't move to pick it up. 
Bugs
Bugs: Tons of bugs. The only place you could comfortably stop to rest was the peak where there was a light breeze. Highly recommend wearing a hat sprayed with bug spray. This, along with keeping moving, seemed to be tolerable. 
Lost and Found
Lost and Found: Found a volvo key half buried in dirt in the parking lot. No volvos nearby. Put it on the trail kiosk - wedged in the plastic of the map. 
 
Comments
Comments: Awesome views, worth the heat, sweat and bugs. Took us 4.5 hours with a rest stop at the top. My sons would have finished 45 min-1 hour earlier if they had not been slowing the pace for me.  
Name
Name: Belinda 
E-Mail
E-Mail: bhayesnh@gmail.com 
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2020-06-20 
Link
Link: https:// 
Bookmark and Share 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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