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Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks Mt. Clay, NH
Trails
Trails: Caps Ridge Trail, The Cornice, Gulfside, Clay Loop
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Friday, June 25, 2021
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: Jefferson Notch Road was in good shape. No road crews in the morning or afternoon. The road was smooth with just one rocky stretch near the first bridge (C1?). I have an Elantra Touring. It's basically the same height from ground as any standard passenger car. Had no issues with clearance underneath. The road conditions from Base Camp Rd to the Caps Ridge trailhead is quite even with a moderate grade. Don't fear this road just be careful of any approaching cars. Two pickups passed me without slowing down or moving aside. I arrived at the TH at 8:30 AM which I thought would be too late to find a space. But only 10 cars were in the lot. I returned at 3:30 PM and while the lot only had 12 cars there were some cars parked on the road. Not sure if an influx of hikers had come and gone in that interim. 
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Dry Trail 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment:  
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: Muddy under one the boardwalks near the beginning of Caps Ridge. 
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes: Some blow downs had been recently sawed. One tree you had to leg over but was quite easy. Otherwise, one other blowdown completely blocked the trail but there is a worn footpath going around it.  
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes:  
Bugs
Bugs: Blackflies at the trailhead but were not a problem if moving.  
Lost and Found
Lost and Found:  
 
Comments
Comments: Caps Ridge Trail
Two of my favorite things about hiking are rock scrambling and being above tree line so this is THE trail for me.


The Cornice
My destination was the Cog railroad so I skipped the Jefferson summit and took the Cornice to the Gulfside trail. This section of the Cornice is well marked with cairns and has a steady, fairly even grade. Saw lots of bees/wasps, flowers, quartz and a nice stretch of lawn.


Gulfside Trail to Mt Clay.
By the time I got to this intersection the clouds really rolled in. Was grateful for the cooler, breezy weather but I was really socked in. Took the upper Clay loop to the summit, tapped the marker and kept going toward the Cog railway.


The Cog
Arrived here earlier than expected so I considered pushing on to Washington but at this point the mountain was one big traffic jam. I hate to complain about the recent surge in hikers in the Whites because Im one of them too. And obvs the Presidentials are very popular. But I either need to take time off midweek to hike or press on to more remote mountains. That being said, every person I passed or chatted with at the junctions was super friendly. Lucky to always have great vibes up there and today was no exception.


Lower Clay Loop to the Cornice
When you get to the Jewel Trail turn off you can easily see the cairns to continue along the Clay loop. You just need to go a few steps further and hang a right. Same goes for arriving at the Cornice - the cairns are very visible heading diagonally down from the junction.  
Name
Name: Young Parisians 
E-Mail
E-Mail:  
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2021-06-29 
Link
Link: https:// 
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