| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Bald Mountain, Mt. Chocorua, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Hammond Trail, Liberty Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Monday, April 25, 2022 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Scott Road is a narrow with a rise and dip that requires caution to avoid an accident with oncoming traffic. Luckily, there is not much traffic on this side road to route 16. The parking area is rather small. Do not block driveway to the house at the end of the road. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Snow - Spring Snow, Leaves - Significant/Slippery |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Light Traction |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
The first crossing of Stony Brook is best upstream of the marked crossing. A downed tree in the stream has backed up the water at the marked crossing that has submerged the rocks below the waterline. The second crossing of Stony Brook was easy on rocks and a log. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Trail in good condition. One 8" diameter evergreen across the Liberty Trail that is easy to step over. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Good for dogs although if your dog doesn't take well to ledges it may be difficult in the higher elevation section of the trail. |
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 | Bugs: |
A few flying insects near the trailhead. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
I hadn't hiked Mt Chocorua in at least a half a decade. Decided to hike the Hammond Trail in order to take advantage of the south facing slope that promotes snow and ice melt leaving bare surfaces. Indeed, the trail was mostly dry all the way to Bald Mountain. Thereafter, there were intermittent stretches of trail with snow and frozen slush. The surface is solid so there is no need for snowshoes. Light traction is helpful on the short snow/slush track in the steeper grades. There were only two sections that I used the microspikes. Most of the hike was in bare boots. All the ledges above the Hammond/Liberty junction were dry enough to permit safe passage. These ledges would be difficult if wet and dangerous if icy. There were only minor areas of mud that ofttimes had rocks to step on. There were significant amount of leaves on the Hammond Trail in the hardwood forest that mat cause slippage especially on descent and may conceal loose rocks and roots. Be sure to pay attention to the blazes on the rocks, cairns, and signs to remain on the correct trail. Today, I wandered slightly off the trail onto adjacent ledges but quickly recovered and got back on the trail. There were nice views from various outlooks to the side of the Hammond Trail, from the open ledges on the Liberty Trail, and magnificent 360-degree views from the rocky summit. I closed the door to the Liberty cabin that had been left open.
Met many other hikers on the trail including those from Fryeburg, S Berwick, and Newfield Maine as well as N Conway, Nashua, and Durham NH. One man was from CT and one from Turkey.
Saw a few yellow violets near the beginning of the hike. A harbinger of the Spring flowers to come to the woodlands. |
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 | Name: |
WAUMBEK |
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 | E-Mail: |
waumbek@roadrunner.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2022-04-25 |
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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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