| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Hale, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Little River Road, herd path, Haystack Road, North Twin Trail, Fire Wardens Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, January 11, 2025 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
I parked at Seven Dwarfs, $10 in an envelope in the visitor mailbox. I noted that the business is for sale, and would recommend considering giving a call before you drive there, in case it changes hands and the parking rules change. Thank you to the current owners for years of hiker friendly parking - it is much appreciated! |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Ice - Breakable Crust, Snow - Unpacked Powder, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular, Snow - Drifts |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
The little tributary crossings have ice bridges. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Zippy is a rock star. North Twin Trail, to Fire Wardens junction, is in great shape!
Thank you to whomever is maintaining the trail between the private road and Haystack Road. The bog bridges are appreciated, as is the recent work to clear blowdowns!
Fire Wardens Trail is not an officially maintained trail and it has the expected blowdwon mania from the recent winds. Everything has a herd path/work around, and nothing is impassable. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
My dog had a blast; this is a great route for dogs. She did try to herd the snowmobiles, but was not successful! |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
It’s dealer’s choice for traction below Fire Wardens Trail. I wore snowshoes, on the way up, starting after crossing the private bridge. They were the most efficient for me, but the cover is thin on the Haystack roadwalk, so I didn’t wear them for that on the way back. You will definitely want snowshoes for Fire Wardens as it is soft, with just the typical bony spots where water flows most of the year. Above the last switchback it was drifted maybe 2-4” on top of a soft base. The skiers seem to be stopping at that little high spot just above the low spot with the old 55 gallon oil drum. My pup and I broke the trail out from there, up to the summit, and it was 6-8” of fluffy powder with drifts over a foot in lots of places. Hale Brook and Lend A Hand had no fresh tracks and were both drifted over.
On our way down we saw fresh moose prints on top of my snowshoe prints. My pup was convinced that she knew where the moose had gone and wanted to give it a piece of her mind, but I was able to suggest an alternative plan. LOL. Just after that we saw two snowshoers ascending and let them know. Those were the only people we saw all day.
I really enjoy this hike, in every season! |
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 | Name: |
Bikecamphikegirl and Echo |
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 | E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2025-01-11 |
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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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