| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Russell Mountain - East Peak, Russell Mountain - West Peak, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Bushwhack |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, June 11, 2022 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
I was a bad boy and parked at a small parking area for the campsites B05-B08. No cars were there and this was midday. Plus it’s a quick hike. Wouldn’t be likely to do this otherwise. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
East crossing the drainage that comes down from the col between the two peaks. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
N/A |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Sure but beware of nearby tent sites |
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 | Bugs: |
Yes mosquitos were quite bad when I stopped on the peaks so I reapplied bug spray. A few black flies in the mix too. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
None |
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 | Comments: |
Day 223, Peaks 207 & 208. 1st hike of the day. A couple quickies before I drove a friend to start his thru-hiking adventure to finish the PCT :)
From the small parking area I headed into the woods and ascended steeply through hardwoods to the east of the drainage. I hit the west ridge of the east peak a bit east of the col and followed it east to the summit. Woods transitioned a bit around the ridge and became mixed but not thick. Grades lessened too. Not hard to find the register. I signed in and made my way west into the col. More open woods and reasonable grades. A much steeper ascent up west peak, almost scrambly, then a much flatter walk along the summit ridge to the highpoint. Remnants of the fire tower if you look carefully. Most interesting find, to me, was actually not all that close to the summit but was a ways before it along the summit ridge (to the NE of the highpoint). I didn’t drop a pin so not sure exactly how far but I think it was at least a couple hundred feet from the register and could’ve been as far as a tenth of a mile away. It was a semi-circular stone structure about 3-4ft high. Nothing in it. Almost looked like half of an old well. Anyone got a clue?!
At the fire tower remnants I found the register and signed in. I descended a much more direct line of the peak, heading SE back to my car. At 2200ft I hit a ledge with a nice and seemingly rather unique view SE toward Tecumseh and other nearby peaks and a partial view down to Russell Pond. I then I contoured around a bit to my east before continuing my very steep descent. Woods were probably a little tighter than my ascent but still pretty open. Grades leveled out as I approached the drainage between the two peaks which I soon crossed. I popped out a wee bit too low below my car and parking area and climbed back up trying to avoid nearby tents.
The hike was about 1.75mi with 800-850ft of gain. It took me 2hrs to do at a rather leisurely pace with some breaks at the summits and view ledge I found. 142 more days and 157 more peaks to go… |
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 | Name: |
Liam Cooney |
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 | E-Mail: |
liamcooney96@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2022-06-13 |
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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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