| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Signal Mountain, Gardner Ridge - Middle Peak (Monroe), NH |
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 | Trails: |
Mine Road, skidder roads, woods roads |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Tuesday, November 10, 2020 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Parked on Under The Mountain Road about 1.3 miles south of Bobbin Hill Road at the Mine Road. (There is a sign that indicates this is Conserved Land). At this time of year there is room for at least two vehicles along the road without blocking the mine road and well off of UTM Road. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
None |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
We headed up the mine road passing through an old log landing area and following it zigzagging and keeping to the right when a split presented itself. Finally the last split took us to the old mine.
Gardner Mountain includes some of the most important wildlife habitat in New Hampshire. Paddock Mine, an abandoned copper mine on the property, is one of the largest bat hibernacula in New Hampshire. Bats are under severe stress from a new and mysterious disease known as White Nose Syndrome, which is causing high mortality rates among several common species of bats. New Hampshire Fish and Game and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service believe that conservation of the Paddock Mine hibernacula is a critical part of the response to White Nose Syndrome in New Hampshire.
Leaving the mine we returned to the previous jct and proceeded to take a bearing for the ridge southeasterly of Signal Mountain. Initially there was some scraggly fir to negotiate but most of woods were open to the ridge. Signal is a logged off dome with a few pine trees left behind at the recognized high point. After signing in we walked along the ridge in largely open woods passing over or around all the intermediate bumps to Gardner Ridge-Middle Peak. The last 200 yards was knarly pricker overgrowth to the final summit of Gardner Ridge. Jar is on one of two bumps that look nearly identical as being the RHP. Trying to avoid the knarly stuff we dropped down to the drainage and found open woods again. this led us to a logging road/snomo trail and easy walking. Once it became obvious that it was on a parallel with UTM Road we took a trail to the right and popped out at a seasonal home (#177) the same as Zack reported. Then an easy .5 mile road walk to the truck. Another interesting day with Gordo. |
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 | Name: |
FranM |
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 | E-Mail: |
maineri@metrocast.net |
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| Date Submitted: |
2020-11-11 |
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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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