| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Cotton Mountain, Mt. Livermore, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Cotton Mountain Trail, Crawford-Ridgepole Trail, Prescott Trail, Old Highway, Route 113 |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Sunday, October 4, 2020 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
WOW!!!!!!! We thought there was a party near Cotton Mtn. So many vehicles (around 25 - at Cotton Mtn!). Checked out Burleigh Farm Road, wasn't sure where to park for this area. So we went back and parked on the shoulder of 113 for Cotton. Later, while on Livermore, a gentleman familiar with the area, told us that for the other end, parking near the sugar house or further up on the dirt road where there is a pull-off would have been o.k. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Two very small brooks, bridged (bog board style) |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Very few blowdowns, some new signs, trail well-blazed. Thanks! |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Saw a few. Friendly dogs with responsible owners. For the amount of people using this area, it was a pleasant surprise not to find any piles or d--s--- bags along the trail. While just another 20 minutes you can go to Rattlesnake where they have had signs in the past on the kiosk concerning this. Thanks, folks! |
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 | Bugs: |
Not a one. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
There is a hat hanging on a tree as you descend Cotton. Grey baseball cap with quote about NH on it. Left it there, since people often do an out and back here. |
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 | Comments: |
This end of Crawford-Ridgepole is underrated also (see my Doublehead report from two weeks ago). Despite the huge number of vehicles at the trailhead (or more accurately, the road, the parking lot only fits between 3-5) we saw very few people. We were what in the old days of New England mills was called "Second Shift." We started in the afternoon due to a morning commitment. So the first shift was probably finishing up when we started up Cotton. Cotton has some obstructed, but still pleasant views of the lake. A nice little hike in its own right, good for limited times.
Good diversity of trees as you descend and then start ascending Livermore. I remember this area being much muckier a few years ago, when we weren't in an extreme drought. The understory in the lower elevation is still mostly green - young maples. Other trees are mainly yellow and hiking in the late afternoon light gives a golden hue to the woods, contrasted by groves of hemlock and a few old huge pines. After the junction with the Prescott Trail, there are several switchbacks and then you pop out to a glorious unobstructed view of the lakes and surrounding mtns. There are a couple stone posts in this area demarcating boundaries from more than 100 years ago.
Took Prescott trail down. Lovely woods. Meets up with Old Highway. Don't miss the cemetery here! Most of the graves are from the 1840s through 60s, but there is on grave of a 20 year old who was buried in 1980. There are many side roads off of this trail, be sure to pay attention to blazes. Road is washed out and badly eroded as it approaches 113. Very short walk on 113 back to car. |
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 | Name: |
Beckie and Prema |
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 | E-Mail: |
beckiejani@yahoo.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2020-10-04 |
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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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