| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
South Sugarloaf, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Bushwhack |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, August 13, 2022 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Parked at a random pulloff on Zealand, after getting passed on the left by some yahoo in a rush. Maybe he really had to poop, but there was no need driving so recklessly at 0730. Zealand Road, the paved portion, is slowly deteriorating |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Mud - Significant |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
There is one minor crossing on this route, which was still trickling, much to our surprise |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
There are no trails to this, so nothing is required |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
A MARVELOUS day was had in the long since abandoned village of Zealand. Cheers to the venerable 1HappyHiker, as I know this was a personal favorite of his. We toasted you at the summit with our flasks! This one checked many boxes: no people, short distance, and generally decent woods (from my recollection). We parked at a pull off between Sugarloaf and Hale Brook and took a compass bearing and that was that. The woods where generally great going of birches and maple. We passed over several old skidder roads that, as usual, did not go in the direction we wanted to go. Noted absolutely no coniferous trees and some very mature and massive silver, yellow and white birch up high, which makes sense those where left and everything else was taken. I had done this route in late June with Nordic_Gal, and she would be impressed at not only the line I was able to hold, but the minor improvements. There is a pretty substantial cliff band that Nordic_Gal and I had found an exceptional spot to get up and down it safely. Once you get up on the cliff band, there is a commanding view of Middle Sugarloaf's cliffs. We could see many people over there! From here to the summit was a mix of juvenile spurce, some minor swimming, Sparrow got whacked in the face with a limb, Kiwi got cut up real bad on his shins... the usual tribute was left. Upon summiting, despite a very low cloud shelf, we could make out several familiar friends (for you wild and crazy hundo highest seekers); Peak Above the Nubble, Pliny, Deception, Dartmouth, Millen Hill, and so much more. The way out was loosely the way we came in. Quick detour to a beaver pond. Amazing to see those little devils chew a 24" tree. We then hopped across the road and found a nice flat spot, set up a grill and our camp chairs and grilled burgers and dogs, and went for a dip in a chilly Zealand River. Maine's State motto comes to mind today, truly 'The Way Life Should Be' (For the history nerds, here's an article about Zealand) |
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 | Name: |
The Teal Goat, Sparrow, Kiwi |
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 | E-Mail: |
sea2thebiscuit@yahoo.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2022-08-13 |
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 | Link: |
 https://whitemountainhistory.org/Zealand.html |
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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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