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Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks Middle Moriah (attempt), NH
Trails
Trails: Rattle River Trail, Kenduskeag Trail
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Friday, May 14, 2021
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: Easy! Pulled in, no one there, large lot and no instagram/#vanlife people taking glamour shots to me feel self conscious about changing by my car.  
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Dry Trail, Snow - Trace/Minimal Depth, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Snow/Ice - Monorail (Stable), Snow - Wet/Sticky, Snow/Ice - Monorail (Unstable), Snow - Spring Snow, Leaves - Significant/Slippery, Snow/Ice - Postholes, Slush, Snow/Ice - Small Patches 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment:  
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: All rock hoppable but did require some thought as water still slightly elevated.  
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes: A number of old and new blowdowns on Rattle River, 4 of which require maneuvering but only one requires serious effort. Overall 90% of Rattle River is fine. Excessive damage from storms and moose browsing in the last mile of Rattle River prior to the junction. As for Kenduskeag after the junction heading west toward Moriah... Disaster. Overgrown, tons of large blowdowns and large trees over the trail.. balance beam expertise needed on at least 4 instances. Couple that with heavy moose browsing.. it's a little treacherous after you're 4.5miles in.  
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes: Might have a few issues right now given some trail condition but come summer should be fine.  
Bugs
Bugs: No ticks and minimal to below average mosquito/fly activity..once at elevation, no bugs. One picaridin application that was rather light was all that was needed. Pants with removable sections recommended.  
Lost and Found
Lost and Found:  
 
Comments
Comments: Wow. The Old Country Buffet of hikes today! Little bit of everything, some good some bad.

Departed 1155am
Turned around prior to Middle Moriah waypoint on Kenduskeag Trail 2:55pm
Returned to Car 5:22pm

As stated prior, Rattle River is gentle/meandering trail for first 3miles or so.. generally not that interesting, other than water crossings and quaint valley views of said Rattle River.

Once you cross the "double" river crossing, things get steep quickly.

About a mile before the junction, snow made an appearance in sporadic on-trail locations. Within the last 2/3 of a mile, you're in mid spring hiking situation with potential for post holing as water is running beneath you. Luckily, I didn't break through.

Things slow down a lot and you need to be judicious with footwork. Spikes might sink you into slush so maybe just good boots/gators? The last 1/3 of a mile the monorail is still intact, thanks to the log bog bridges compacting the monorail above the floor of the forest. I didn't break through but there was evidence of posthole issues. I'm just not convinced it's worth carrying snow gear for this... Maybe just stay on the monorail and be careful with foot placement where it doesn't exist?!

As for Kenduskeag, just a mess. After my fourth balance beam act, I turned around and headed down. Snow at the junction of the trails is still 4-6 inches but you're on borrowed time.... You can see a layer of ice and then pools if water beneath that.. would easily submerge a boot.

Maybe best to leave this one for warmer, if buggier, weather.  
Name
Name: Kavinsky 
E-Mail
E-Mail:  
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2021-05-14 
Link
Link: https:// 
Bookmark and Share 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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