| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Smarts Mountain, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Ranger Trail, Lambert Ridge Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Sunday, October 26, 2025 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Plenty when I got the trailhead on Dorchester Rd. shortly before 8 a.m. When I returned, someone had blocked the Ranger Trail entrance with their truck. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
The crossing of Grant Brook at the old garage was no problem today. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Ranger: Blazing is faded below the garage and needs to be repainted; above the garage it looks newer but not brand new; several trees down of various sizes; new trail signs at the trailhead, brook crossing, and Lambert Ridge junction. Lambert Ridge: I recall a few scattered small blowdowns; blazing in many places is almost gone but is better lower down; new arrow signs at key turns; new trail sign at Ranger junction. Both trails: Water bars and drainages need to be raked out. Also noted new signage just below the fire tower for J Trail and Lambert Ridge Trail. (Joe Danna, if you are reading this, I also emailed you with some questions.) |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Saw a few happy pups today. Lots of water around for them right now. |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
A return to Smarts, up Ranger to get some updates for the next WMG and down Lambert Ridge.
Trails were pretty wet on the upper reaches of the mountain with standing and flowing water. Some mud but nothing significant. Ranger sees less use so the wet conditions combined with mossy ledges called for mindful footing. The ledge sections on Lambert Ridge were mainly dry.
The summit was socked in so I skipped the tower. Still good views from the ridge walk on the way down. Foliage color is mostly gone with the bulk of the leaves on the ground and the rest falling fast. Some remaining pockets of color here and there but it's definitely looking more like November in these parts. |
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 | Name: |
KenM |
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 | E-Mail: |
kmacgray@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2025-10-26 |
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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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