| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Scar Ridge - East Peak, Scar Ridge - Middle Peak, Scar Ridge - West Peak, Black Mountain, NH |
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 | Trails: |
East Pond Trail, bushwhacks, herd paths, bike trails, road walk |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Friday, June 27, 2025 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
I parked at East Pond trailhead. It was just about full when I returned, holds about 6 cars. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Easy rock hop on East Pond trail, and a knee deep wading of Hancock Branch, which was short but slippery, and I had a nice dip to cool off after crossing. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
One step over birch blowdown I recall on East Pond trail, quite a ways up. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
No hazards, besides the river crossing maybe. |
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 | Bugs: |
Not bad at all. A few mosquitos. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
Some trash on the path from Scar ridge to Black Mtn. Beer cans and campfires. |
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 | Comments: |
I did an overnight loop of Scar Ridge, heading up around 5:30 pm, camping at 7:30, starting again at 6:00 and getting back to the road at 11:00 am, then a 1 hour highway walk back to where I parked. For terrain on the ridge I’d say I had a similar experience to Liam’s report. Some bad but mostly good. I went straight up from the HOL to Southeast peak, since I wanted that view. I’d been to East peak before and tried to skirt around it but that was a mistake. (As others have said, you want to stay away from the south side of the ridge generally). After a very slow and tight squeeze to the canister, it was better going staying on the ridge, or just to the north. I camped in the first big flat area I came to. It was a peaceful night and the next morning I soon came to a great view from the Middle East peak’s south facing ledges. I signed in at Middle for my first time, and West for my second. The “herd path” is not that easy to follow due to many blowdowns, but once you get closer to Loon, the cut path around 2900’ continues over to Black Mountain, I followed this most of the way to the summit. To get down I followed a NE ridge, the least steep way down to the bike trails, then waded the river and there was a convenient path right up to the road, where I could’ve thumbed a ride but didn’t mind walking the 3 miles or so ( and the 600 feet of vert was hardly noticed). I did notice poison ivy along the guard rail so be careful between the road and the river. |
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 | Name: |
Carl G |
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 | E-Mail: |
calxjohnson@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2025-06-27 |
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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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