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Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks Mt. Lafayette, Mt. Truman, Mt. Lincoln, NH
Trails
Trails: Franconia Notch Recreation Path, bushwhack, Skookumchuck Trail, Garfield Ridge Trail, Franconia Ridge Trail, Greenleaf Trail
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Saturday, September 17, 2022
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: Plenty of room at the tramway lot. 
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment:  
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: None 
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes: Trails in good condition. One small (3-4" dia) striped maple across Skookumchuck Trail about 4' above ground uphill from point where old trail enters current trail but below rock staircase. One evergreen about 5-6" diameter across Skookumchuck Trail at about 2' above surface located at a higher elevation. In both cases, the downed trees pose no difficulty getting past. Both could be removed using a small saw. The trail sign at the summit of Mt Lafayette is weathered so the information does not stand out. I have witnessed many hikers heading north on the Garfield Ridge Trail rather than heading down the Greenleaf Trail to complete the popular loop. I have also read of other hikers making this same error. It would seem it may help guide hikers if this sign had contrasting lettering so the directions will be prominent (like dark lettering on a white background). The current sign is router lettering in the unpainted sign. 
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes: Many dogs on the trail. No water at higher elevations. 
Bugs
Bugs: None 
Lost and Found
Lost and Found:  
 
Comments
Comments: Hiked the bike path north from the parking lot to the former route of the Skookumchuck Trail adjacent to the brook rather than going further north to the current trailhead. This is the first brook north of the Lafayette Brook bridge (there was a small dry brook bed in between these two points on the bike path). I stayed within sight of the brook going through the hobblebush. Some traces of the old trail remain and is mainly intact in its upper section where it eventually meets the current Skookumchuck Trail.
The rest of the hike was on established trails. The section of the Greenleaf Trail downhill from the AMC is rough and wet.
Great visibility today extending from Pleasant Mountain Maine in the east to Camel's Hump Vermont to the west.
Lots of hikers out today including AT thru hikers heading north, multi-day Pemi Loopers, and day hikers. Met half a dozen hikers from Russia, Canadian hikers from Quebec and Ottowa and a hiker from the town next to where I grew up.  
Name
Name: WAUMBEK 
E-Mail
E-Mail: waumbek@roadrunner.com 
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2022-09-17 
Link
Link: https:// 
Bookmark and Share 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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