| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Willey, Mt. Field, Mt. Tom, NH |
|
 | Trails: |
Ethan Pond Trail, Willey Range Trail, A-Z Trail, Mt. Tom Spur, Zealand Trail, Thoreau Falls Trail |
|
 | Date of Hike: |
Tuesday, August 31, 2021 |
|
 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Plenty of room in the Willey House Station lot. Nice paved road from US 302 to the lot. Fee lot (honor system). |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable |
|
 | Recommended Equipment: |
|
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Bridge over North Fork on Ethan Pond Trail. All other crossings are small waterways. I noticed that the crossing of North Fork on the Thoreau Falls Trail is easy as the water level is low. |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
No significant obstructions on the trails. There are two small tree falls across the A-Z Trail near the ground (easy to step over). A couple of trees across the Willey Range Trail high above the ground that poses no problems in the non-snow season. There is annual growth of the understory vegetation crowding the A-Z Trail especially at the Zealand Pond end and on Ethan Pond Trail especially near the bridge over the North Fork.
Two steps on the wood staircases on the Willey Range Trail on the south face of Mt Willey are missing and all stairs show wear. Some badly eroded sections on the Willey Range Trail on the steep south side of Mt Willey and in one place on the south side of Mt Field.
Many bog bridges on the Ethan Pond Trail were damaged or deteriorating. There has been recent trail work emplacing stone steps on the Ethan Pond Trail. |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Fine for dogs unless they are uneasy on wood staircases. |
|
 | Bugs: |
None |
|
 | Lost and Found: |
|
|
|
|
|
 | Comments: |
Walked a fine circuit that included the three 4K peaks of the Willey Range, Zealand Ponds, Zealand Notch, Thoreau Falls, Ethan Pond, and many nice woods with ferns and mosses.
The rocks high up in the steeper portions of the A-Z Trail are mossy and wet today that had the potential to be slippery (especially on descent).
Met many AT thru hikers most of whom were looking to get to the Highland Center or North Conway to replenish their supplies. The last AT thru hiker I met was from Sanford, ME (southbound). Met Danielle D who completed her grid in May. Many other interesting hikers.
Nice views from Mt Willey to the peaks surrounding the Pemi Wilderness. The Presidential Range high peaks were in the clouds.
|
|
 | Name: |
WAUMBEK |
|
 | E-Mail: |
waumbek@roadrunner.com |
|
| Date Submitted: |
2021-08-31 |
|
 | Link: |
 https:// |
|
|
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. |
|
