| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Jennings Peak, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Sandwich Mountain Trail, Jennings Peak Spur, Drakes Brook Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Monday, October 10, 2022 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
We arrived late, around noon, and the parking lot was mostly full, though we managed to park near the Drakes Brook Trailhead gate. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Leaves - Significant/Slippery |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
We crossed Drakes Brook twice, once at the beginning of Sandwich Mtn. Trail going up, and once near end of Drakes Brook Trail going down. Both were easily rock-hoppable, though a little care was required because the rocks were wet from morning rain. (In fact, one member of my group slipped and got a foot in the water at the first crossing.) |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Many of the yellow blazes on Sandwich Mtn. Trail have faded, though the trail was mostly easily to follow even without them. There was only one place where we were briefly unsure, where the trail, instead of continuing uphill along a rock bed, turns sharply right to go horizontally.
On Sandwich Mtn. Trail, just above the junction with Drakes Brook Trail but below the turnoff to Jennings Peak, there is a horizontal blowdown at thigh level (easy to step over, if you are tall enough). There were also three blowdowns on Drakes Brook Trail, two low ones easy to step over, and one diagonal one that is easy to step over or go under. None are causing herd paths to form.
The bog bridges on Drakes Brook Trail are not in good condition. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
They seemed like good trails for dogs, and indeed we saw a few! Dogs can drink at the many places where Drakes Brook Trail passes by Drakes Brook. |
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 | Bugs: |
None. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
If doing the loop, it's probably easier to go counterclockwise, as we did, up Sandwich Mtn. Trail and down Drakes Brook Trail, because the descent is easier on Drakes Brook Trail, which has more gentle grades for the most part.
The foliage colors are at their peak right now, and the trail is covered with yellow, red, and purple leaves. In the middle section of Drakes Brook Trail, we were treated to the sight of evergreens with red and purple decorations (leaves that had fallen into them from higher trees) - it felt like Christmas! From the viewpoints partway up Sandwich Mtn. Trail (with partial views to the north and east) we could see more dramatic colors than we could from the summit of Jennings Peak (which looks mainly south and east). |
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 | Name: |
mathbp |
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 | E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2022-10-10 |
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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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