| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Ethan Pond, Shoal Pond, NH |
|
 | Trails: |
Ethan Pond Trail, Shoal Pond Trail, Wilderness Trail, Pemi East Side Trail, Pine Island Trail |
|
 | Date of Hike: |
Sunday, September 27, 2020 |
|
 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Spent the previous 2 nights at Ethan Pond, but paid $5/day at Lincoln Woods. Overflowing with cars out on to the Kanc with hundreds of people milling around at about ~1330. |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Leaves - Significant/Slippery |
|
 | Recommended Equipment: |
|
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Got wet feet crossing the "new" river courses on Pine Island; these would be downright dangerous if we weren't in a drought. Otherwise things were rock hops. Can see how crossing Crystal Brook and Shoal Pond Brook could be troublesome in high water. Things were seriously dry. |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Lost count of the number of blow downs on Shoal Pond. Bog bridges on Ethan Pond OK for the most part, but some or decaying. On Shoal Pond Trail, many of the bog bridges are falling apart or non-existent. Not a big deal given the dryness but would be a tough go in spring or later in fall. No blazes to speak of on Shoal Pond but it is a wilderness area. Shoal Pond could use a brushing out in some areas, see below. |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Most of them would love this route. Be careful about crossings (see above) |
|
 | Bugs: |
I cleared about 43,560 spider webs. Other than that nothing of note. |
|
 | Lost and Found: |
|
|
|
|
|
 | Comments: |
Oh my. 3rd and final day of the backpacking trip and this was the solitude I was looking for. After spending the night at an OVERFLOWING Ethan Pond campsite, I set of just after sunrise to complete my trip through the Pemi Wilderness. Only saw one other hiker until I returned to Lincoln Woods, and she was about an hour in to my day. Shoal Pond is literally in the middle of nowhere and it defitniely feels like it. There are I would saw over 100 blow downs on the 4 miles of trail, with one section so crowded, I didn't touch the ground for about 200 yards; just stepped on trees. There are zero blazes on this trail, but the wayfinding is generally easy. Some of the trail is getting very overgrown though with low brush. In some places the footbed is completely obscured and there are points where only one of two treads on the bog bridges are accessible; in others, both are covered meaning you have to walk on the marshy ground. Put it this way: you know you're on a wilderness trail. But it's awesome. The rest of the trails are pretty well traveled so there's not much to say there.
Because I'm working off the 29th Edition redlining, I decided to check out Pine Island Trail, even though it's no longer signed/really in use. The rerouting of the river through here is amazing to see. Nature is a force. There are plenty of vibrant yellow blazes and it's easy to follow, except at the new river crossings. On the last 2, I had to wade even with the drought. Would be very scary in higher water. I discovered what appeared to be 2 illegal campsites on the "island" with fire rings and evidence of recent use. The rangers I spoke with in the parking lot on Friday asked that anyone venturing into the wilderness areas keep an eye out for unattended fires as they have trouble getting in there very often. With the dry conditions, a fire could get out of hand easy out there before anyone knew about it. Please be smart people! |
|
 | Name: |
captainicebeard |
|
 | E-Mail: |
|
|
| Date Submitted: |
2020-10-01 |
|
 | 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. |
|
