| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Lovewell Mountain, NH |
|
 | Trails: |
Lovewell Mountain Road, Monadnock-Sunapee Greenway, spring spur, view spur, Max Israel Shelter Spur, road walk |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Monday, March 21, 2022 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
I parked at the jct of Halfmoon Pond Rd and Lovewell Mtn Rd as described in the guidebook. The road in is dirt and had one steep, muddy descent on the way in I was worried about getting back up in only FWD but made it just fine with some momentum on my side ;) The road has many houses along it and is well travelled. When I arrived and the small parking area, I was surprised so see nearly a dozen cars crammed in there. It was a meet-up group that was leaving. I waited for them to exit, then parked. While cars had blocked the entrance to Lovewell Mtn Rd, this may not be a wise idea in summer because even though this is a Class VI road, there was a house/cabin a short ways in that I imagine someone will be driving to at some point. Without blocking the road, there’s only room for a couple of cars pulled in carefully along the edges of the road here. If overflowed, there is parking further south on the road at the boat launch which would require a 1/2mi road walk each way. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Snow - Trace/Minimal Depth, Wet Trail, Ice - Blue, Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Snow - Spring Snow, Snow/Ice - Small Patches |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Light Traction |
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Water is elevated but crossings are all small and easily rock hopped. I think one had a plank bridge across it. |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
The MSG is blazed in white and easy to follow. I think there was one turn that was a bit obscure once you hit the ridge on the south side of the mountain. The spurs are all blazed in blue and signed except for the view spur at 2.2mi which isn’t signed or blazed as far as I recall but was still easy to find and follow (in fact, I mistook it for the trail, which turns left into the woods at the top of a currently snowy/icy ledge). There’s still some debris on this trail like that which I experienced earlier in the day on Kittredge Hill but not as many blowdowns. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Sure |
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 | Bugs: |
None |
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 | Lost and Found: |
None |
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|
 | Comments: |
Day 141, Peak 121. 2nd hike of the day after nearby Kittredge Hill. Very windy but a warm and sunny day :)
Lovewell Mtn Rd had more snow/ice than I would’ve expected but the ice was fairly grippy and was easy to walk on without spikes. The walk in to the start of the trail was quick. I fell in love with this trail almost from the second I stepped on it! It has a nice, “low ledge” feel to it kind of like the Belknap Range. The only disadvantage to this was that it made me feel like I was close to the summit when I certainly was not!! The climb is at mostly easy-moderate grades except for the short climb to attain the ridge which is a bit more steep and then some pitches along the ridge which were steeper as well. Some beautiful woods higher up along the ridge. The trail was mostly free of snow/ice or at least the kind you’d want spikes for until partway up the ridge to the summit where you encounter the snow/ice covered ledge just beneath the view spur. The summit itself was clear of snow/ice so if you’ve already put your spikes on (which are certainly helpful in a few spots before this) you’ll be dulling them for a bit here. I signed into the register and checked out the views.
I continued north along the ridge to make the loop. I soon encountered more snow/ice. After fumbling my way for a bit, I finally relented and put spikes on which were needed for at least a few tenths of a mile. If doing this again, I’d just throw them on at the summit. I forget where exactly I took them off but I believe it was in the minor col between the summit and then bump to the north. Not much need for them after this. The Max Israel Shelter spur was signed and blazed. There’s a ladder by the shelter and a tree which I must assume to help hang a bear bag?? A few uphills on the way out and a long walk back along Halfmoon Pond Rd.
About 6.5mi with 1300ft of gain taking just under 3hrs. 224 more days and 244 more peaks to go… |
|
 | Name: |
Liam Cooney |
|
 | E-Mail: |
liamcooney96@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2022-03-24 |
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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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