| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Gordon Falls, Gordon Pond, Mt. Wolf, NH |
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 | Trails: |
NH 112, Gordon Pond Trail, Kinsman Ridge Trail, herd path |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Thursday, June 1, 2023 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
We dropped a car at the Beaver Brook trailhead in Kinsman Notch, then drove back down 112. Per the latest WMG, we parked roadside at Crooked Pike Rd. and walked the highway for 0.4 mi. to the current trailhead. There is a proposal currently being worked on to relocate this trailhead away from private land and onto town-owned land, which will restore the parking. This will also shorten the trail by 0.6 mi. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
No issues. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
For a lesser-used route, Gordon Pond Trail was generally fine. A bit brushy and wilderness-ey up higher but that was part of the charm. Kinsman Ridge Trail has lots of blowdowns, some with herd path bypasses, rotted wooden water bars, and lots of erosion with some compromised rock steps. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
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 | Bugs: |
Both mosquitoes and black flies were horrendous today. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
Butts = thoroughly kicked.
The original plan was to hike the entirety of Gordon Pond Trail then head south along Kinsman Ridge Trail to Kinsman Notch.
Since we were "in the neighborhood" we also opted for a 2.2-mi. round-trip side hike to Mt. Wolf so I could grab it for my fourth round of the 59WAV. The short herd path to the recognized high point is pretty well-worn now. The register has been moved to an adjacent tree.
11 miles total and half of that was steep and rugged along the ridge with its many characteristic elevation gains and losses.
Was it tough? Oof. Was it hot and humid? Yep. Were there zillions of swarming bugs who would not let up for a second? Heck yeah. Was it fun and satisfying anyway? Absolutely. :)
Mostly dry trails with just some minor muck on Gordon Pond Trail. The only people we saw all day were in a small group along the ridge. They were also headed to Kinsman Notch but were moving very slow. Hope they all made it out ok. |
|
 | Name: |
KenM |
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 | E-Mail: |
kmacgray@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2023-06-01 |
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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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