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Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks Mt. Hale, NH
Trails
Trails: North Twin Trail, herd path, Firewardens Trail
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Saturday, October 31, 2020
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: Mid-sized parking area for about a dozen cars. It was overflowing when we got there just past 10am. There were signs up telling you not to park on the left side of the road but the USFS was around and they seemed to be taking them down. Some room, just after the bridge and before the parking lot to parallel park which is what we did.  
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Dry Trail, Ice - Black, Snow - Trace/Minimal Depth, Wet Trail, Ice - Breakable Crust 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment:  
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: The only crossing is of the brook that flows into the Little River along the herd path that bypasses the first two crossings of the Little River on North Twin Trail. It was a bit tricky with slick, wet rocks. It was easiest to step on submerged rocks. They weren’t icy though.  
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes: North Twin Trail is blazed in yellow but not until just after the herd path we used to access the Firewardens Trail diverges from it. The lower part of the trail is very easy to follow though. The Firewardens Trail has no blaze on it other than one very, very faded yellow blaze right where it begins. The herd path is not blazed or marked with cairns and there’s sometimes a couple different paths; usually one that side hills and one that walks along/in the brook/washout. No blowdowns on North Twin Trail. One duck under on the herd path to access the Firewardens Trail. Only some inconsequential stepovers and minor stuff on the Firewardens Trail. The trail is still clearly maintained as blowdown work is evident. It’s pretty easy to follow but isn’t blazed nor is it marked by cairns. Just be sure not to walk by it as it’s a shap left turn off the herd path that, as far as I could tell, was not marked in any way. The trail is shown on Gaia.  
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes: One seen on a leash. Another on the summit that I believe was leashed. This would be a fine route for hiking dogs.  
Bugs
Bugs: None  
Lost and Found
Lost and Found: Picked up a glove on the Firewardens Trail. If it’s yours, email me :) We checked with all hikers that passed us on their way down and at the summit, so I imagine someone lost it on Friday.  
 
Comments
Comments: An out-and-back to Hale along Firewardens Trail for my October grid. Got to do it with my parents which is always a special treat :) This was my 24th peak for my October grid and my 14th 4000 footer this month. With this trial run under my belt, I’ve decided to attempt an “almost single year grid” where I’ll be finishing my remaining grid peaks (approx 70% to go) in a single year (November 2020-October 2021).

I believe it was 28F when we started and 33F when we returned. So not too cold and beautiful blue, sunny skies. Very low humidity so I can only imagine how far you could see on top of a summit that was actually open 😂 A nice view of the Presidentials along Firewardens Trail though.

Saw about a half dozen people on Firewardens Trail, one of which thought they were on Lend-a-Hand Trail...oops! Met a father/daughter working on their 48 along N Twin Trail that was trying to find a way across the first crossing of the Little River. I directed them across the herd path. Caught up with them at the end of their hike too which was nice :) About a half dozen people at the summit when we arrived. All three main approaches had been taken and were well trodden. Hale Brook, Lend-a-Hand, and Firewardens trails.

There was some black ice starting at the beginning of the trail. It was avoidable but it took a little bit of care. It became less common, and then went away altogether after maybe a quarter mile or so. I think it’s from previously running water on the trail. It had mostly softened to a breakable crust by the end of our day but I was still surprised to see some ice here. There were signs of snow pretty much from the beginning of the trail but none actually on the trail until you were on Firewardens I believe. Became consistent cover as you gained elevation and was mostly packed down but nothing at all significant. It wouldn’t have been bad to “break out” even without gaiters. My parents used microspikes on the descent but I didn’t feel the need and you probably wouldn’t have either. If you’re not very sure footed, maybe bring them just in case but you should really be fine. There was no ice up high where there was snow although I imagine some of it may have turned to ice by Sunday with the cold temps overnight. I don’t recall too much mud but I think there was some on N Twin Trail and on lower portions of the Firewardens Trail.  
Name
Name: Liam Cooney 
E-Mail
E-Mail: liamcooney96@gmail.com 
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2020-11-02 
Link
Link: https:// 
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