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Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks Mt. Willard, Hitchcock Flume (attempt), NH
Trails
Trails: Avalon Trail, Mt. Willard Trail, bushwhack, abandoned Hitchcock Flume Spur, abandoned carriage road
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Friday, April 23, 2021
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: Plenty at Crawford Depot this morning. 
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Wet Trail, Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Snow - Wet/Sticky 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment: Light Traction 
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: No issues. 
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes: A couple of minor blowdowns along the maintained carriage road portion of Mt. Willard Trail. 
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes:  
Bugs
Bugs:  
Lost and Found
Lost and Found:  
 
Comments
Comments: Winter was holding onto Willard this morning, but the recent snow was melting fast on the descent. I used spikes for the ascent but could have barebooted down. There was a couple inches of new snow, well packed by boot traffic.

From the ledges I did the short bushwhack to the high point. I started down the old side path to Hitchcock Flume, which was surprisingly clear at the top. About halfway down though where it gets steep it became pretty gnarly with lots of blowdowns and mud / water. I called it here and turned back.

On the descent, I opted to follow the abandoned portion of the old carriage road which leads back to Mt. Willard Trail. It's easily navigable, but massively eroded. The trenches are 10-12 ft. below the former surface of the road.

I think I also spotted where the old auto road joined in with the current trail, but I'm not 100% sure. That's an adventure for a drier day.  
Name
Name: KenM 
E-Mail
E-Mail: kmacgray@gmail.com 
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2021-04-23 
Link
Link: https:// 
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