| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Brown Mountain, Church Mountain, Grafton Knob, Crane Mountain, Orange Mountain, NH |
|
 | Trails: |
Skyland Trail, Vistamont Trail, Clark Trail, Woodland Trail |
|
 | Date of Hike: |
Monday, August 3, 2020 |
|
 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
I parked opposite the trailhead, 0.2 mi. up Church Hill Road (Class 6). I drove up 0.3 mi. to turn around at the fork shown on the maps, then drove back downhill, parking in a tiny bumpout (room for one car).
Parking also possible at 4-way intersection of Grafton Road/Washburn Road/Knowles Hill West, leaving a 0.4 mi. walk to the trailhead.
|
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail |
|
 | Recommended Equipment: |
|
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Clark Brook was running low today... easy walk across |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Blowdown on Vistamont, just south / 50' uphill of the brook. There were more than a few blowdowns on this section of Woodland Trail, but I wasn't surprised as this section gets very little use and is more lightly maintained. |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
There would be water along the Clark Brook, but otherwise a fairly dry and hot hike for a pup. |
|
 | Bugs: |
A few mosquitoes, but not many. |
|
 | Lost and Found: |
|
|
|
|
|
 | Comments: |
The Alexandria end of the Skyland Trail begins in 0.2 miles up Class 6 Church Hill Road. There is a white blaze on a pine tree on the left side of the trailhead, and a large sign board about 100' into the woods. The Skyland Trail was just lovely, climbing over several bumps, small mountains and knobs. The true summit of Brown Mtn. is about 350' off trail. The trail passes over Church Mtn., Grafton Knob (follow the rock cairns), Crane Mtn. and to Orange Mtn. Fantastic views on this loop hike, especially from the ledges near Orange Mtn. Skyland Trail was well-blazed and maintained.
To complete the loop, I descended Vistamount Trail to the Clark Trail (well-blazed/maintained) to the junction with Woodland Trail. Once across the Clark Brook, the trail follows an old farm road south towards the marsh area shown on the maps. Along this section the trail is a bit grassy/overgrown, and would be quite muddy in spring. Once past the marsh, the trail climbs through hardwoods back up towards the Skyland Trail ridge. This 2-mile section of trail is more lightly maintained, but evident and easy to follow.
Once on the ridge, it was a short walk out via Skyland Trail... completing this lollipop loop.
Fun day out redlining southern NH trails. :-) |
|
 | Name: |
Beth Z. |
|
 | E-Mail: |
|
|
| Date Submitted: |
2020-08-03 |
|
 | Link: |
 https:// |
|
|
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. |
|
