| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
East Sleeper, West Sleeper, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Downes Brook Trail, Kate Sleeper Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Wednesday, August 3, 2022 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Plenty, Only about 5-6 cars at 9:30 start and 5 end |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Mud - Minor/Avoidable |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Total of 10 crossings of Downes Brook (in each direction) were all rock hopable since the water level is relatively low. |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Numerous blowdowns, most easy to step over; few duck-unders, and straddle-overs. Note, there are no blazes on Downes Brook. Blue on Kate Sleeper. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Piper had a blast. Plenty of running water on Downes Brook; mostly easily accessible for pups. No water on the Kate Sleeper trail, so pack puppy drinking water for this section of the trip. |
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 | Bugs: |
few were annoying in the later afternoon, but overall not many |
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 | Lost and Found: |
N/A |
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 | Comments: |
Loved this hike; had the trails (and all the spider webs) all to ourselves; didn't see another sole. We decided to take a different route to bag these relatively easy peaks for the NHHH list. Downes Brook trail ascent is quite gradual but relatively long, and very easy to follow. It transitions from the hardwood-pine forest, to more mossy Spruce-fir forest (an emerald forest) up to the ridge. Many locations along the brook to enjoy being near flowing water with small falls and moss covered rocks. Kate Sleeper trail is pleasantly flanked by ferns with sporadic views of the lakes region through the trees; really nice trail & woods.
Spotted so many toads on the trails, too. I lost count, but I must have seen nearly 20+, really. Never seen so many on one hike!!! |
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 | Name: |
CookiesOnTop & GoldRush |
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 | E-Mail: |
schwarzmc at yahoo |
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| Date Submitted: |
2022-08-04 |
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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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