| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Ripley Falls, Falcon Cliff, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Ethan Pond Trail, Arethusa-Ripley Falls Trail, Frankenstein Cliff Trail, Falcon Cliff Spur |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Sunday, July 17, 2022 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
I snagged a spot at the Ethan Pond Trailhead just as a couple of vehicles were leaving. Parking area was busy today, though when I got back, it was half-empty. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
The crossing of Avalanche Brook at the base of Ripley Falls was a rock hop, mostly on large, exposed rocks. No other crossings. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
A few blowdowns across the hike. No major drainage issues, but a few mudpits on the trail to Ripley Falls. All signs were in place, however the signs at the junction of Arethusa-Ripley Falls Trail and Frankenstein Cliff Trail are easy to miss, and the sign for Falcon Cliff Spur is also easy to miss (particularly when descending). That sign also had an incorrect mileage - it said the spur was 0.5 miles, while the WMG says it's 0.2 miles, and I agree with the WMG. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Agile dogs shouldn't have too much trouble with the water crossing. The trail above Ripley Falls goes along some very steep dropoffs, so watch your dog in those areas. |
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 | Bugs: |
They were out, but the 25% DEET I applied in the morning still kept most of them away. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
Nothing. |
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 | Comments: |
This hike rounded out my day of hiking trails with difficult water crossings. The trail up to Ripley Falls is straightforward, and the crossing of Avalanche Brook at the base of the falls wasn't too difficult. There were several other groups there, and watching their antics, it almost looked like some of them were trying to create a need to be rescued. The trail above the falls is steep and rough and goes along some very steep sidehills - be careful there. Above that section, it was a moderate and then easy climb to the top, and a slight descent to Frankenstein Cliff Trail.
Frankenstein Cliff Trail has several ups and downs going toward Falcon Cliff Spur, but the final couple tenths are down. The sign for Falcon Cliff Spur is difficult to see for descending hikers, and I missed it. I ended up going down to the Frankenstein Cliff outlook. Just before I reached it, there's a section of trail that goes through an area that was burnt by the wildfire earlier this year. All the trees are blackened, but the trail has been nicely reconstructed going through this section. The fire opened up some views through the trees where previously there had been none, but it also removed the shade, so that was a hot stretch in the afternoon sun. On the way back up, I found the sign for Falcon Cliff Spur, and redlined it - it has a couple of steep sections that are somewhat gravelly, but nothing was too bad. I then retraced my steps back down to Ripley Falls and the trailhead - the final descent down to the falls is steep and requires caution, but isn't too bad.
Throughout this hike, I heard on several occasions a helicopter flying around above. I never saw it, but it seemed to be flying around for at least a half-hour. On the drive back home, I noticed a helicopter that had landed on the lawn in front of the Highland Center, and a law enforcement vehicle was parked on the side of the road there. I wasn't sure what was going on - maybe a search-and-rescue? I hope everyone's OK. |
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 | Name: |
GN |
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 | E-Mail: |
ghnaigles@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2022-07-17 |
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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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