| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mowglis Mountain, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Snowmobile trail, Hardy Country Road, Carter-Gibbs Trail, Oregon Mountain Trail, Elwell Trail, Mowglis Trail, Orange Road, Sculptured Rocks Road |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Friday, November 18, 2022 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
When starting out on Carter-Gibbs, I usually park at the trailhead proper on Hardy Country Rd. Today I parked at the Sculptured Rocks lot and took the snowmobile trail up to Hardy Country Rd., then walked that up to the trailhead. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular, Mud - Significant |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Light Traction |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Carter-Gibbs is tricky to follow in places during winter conditions due to its light use, and I had forgotten this. Refreshed/additional blazing could help. A few scattered blowdowns. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
The relocation on Elwell Trail west of the Back 80 junction that was flagged a couple of years ago is now blazed as the main route. It switchbacks up at less steep grades but I still wouldn't call it easy. ;) It also eliminates a steep, eroded ledge slab on the old route. Noticed a vintage sign was missing along Elwell. Hope the caretakers have it and it hasn't been stolen. :( The lower road portion of Mowglis is not signed or marked in any way.
This was a long 9.6 mi. loop over Mowglis, mostly to check on some items for the next AMC Southern NH Trail Guide and to get some fresh data on the lower portion of Mowglis Trail.
Winter has definitely arrived in the Cardigan backcountry, but there was never more than a few inches of crusty snow. Very little ice encountered. I carried spikes but was able to bareboot all day. Not quite enough snow for snowshoes yet, but if we get more in this area it will be. Some water and mud was lurking under the snow; it will be nice when everything is all covered up.
The long 3.5 mi. road/snowmobile portion of the lower Mowglis Trail was initially a slog with lots of water and mud on the trail, but conditions improved as I descended. Wish there were a solution to move the trail off these roads and snowmobile trails.
A mile-long walk along Groton Rd./Sculptured Rocks Rd. closed the loop and I was back at the car before dark. |
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 | Name: |
KenM |
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 | E-Mail: |
kmacgray@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2022-11-18 |
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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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