| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Hale, NH |
|
 | Trails: |
Hale Brook Trail |
|
 | Date of Hike: |
Sunday, November 2, 2025 |
|
 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
The trailhead parking off Zealand Road was almost full at 9:15AM.
Zealand Road was bumpy but passable for all vehicles. There are voids in the asphalt surface ep to the Sugarloaf trailhead. This section would benefit from a paving job but budget priorities will probably delay such a project. Each year patches of tar are applied to the potholes. |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Snow - Trace/Minimal Depth, Wet Trail, Ice - Blue, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Leaves - Significant/Slippery |
|
 | Recommended Equipment: |
Light Traction |
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
There was no ice on the rocks at both crossings of Hale Brook. The rocks are wet, so if the temperature drops to below freezing one must take care not to slip on icy rocks or select rocks below the water level. |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
The leaves have been removed from the water bars and water diversion ditches.
There were no obstructions on the trail.
There are several sections above the second crossing of Hale Brook that had water running down the trail. Additional water diversion measures could improve this section of trail. |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Fine for dogs. I met over half a dozen dogs today. |
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 | Bugs: |
None |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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|
 | Comments: |
It was a good day to hike Mt Hale as it was cloudy west of Crawford Notch and Zealand Road was still open.
Most of the trail surfaces up to the second crossing of Hale Brook were free of snow or ice. Snow first appeared in the forest to the side of the trail at about 2,600 feet. Above the second crossing of Hale Brook there was a thin coating of compressed snow or some ice. I did not use traction on ascent by careful foot placement. I used an old pair of microspikes on descent until the snow/ice disappeared from the pathway. Some hikers managed to ascend and descend without traction.
Most of the hikers used the Hale Brook Trail for the round trip. One hiker used the Zealand Trail:Lend-a-Hand Trail: Hale Brook Trail circuit. A hiker Buddy group hiked up the abandoned Firewarden's herd path.
No snow on the evergreen boughs and no views. |
|
 | Name: |
WAUMBEK |
|
 | E-Mail: |
waumbek@roadrunner.com |
|
| Date Submitted: |
2025-11-02 |
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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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