| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Red Hill, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Red Hill |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Thursday, March 19, 2026 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Upper and lower lots are bare, with a lot of thin hard ice on the ground at the upper lot. Two vehicles at the upper lot on arrival, one there plus two at the lower lot at noon. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Ice - Blue, Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
None, due to nice bridge over fairly strong flow low down. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
As Rocket21 noted, there is that large duck-under above the kiosk, a large oak, propped up on the stubs of two large branches. That trunk failed right at ground level. I noted also the easy step-over above, as well as a large tree top (?) on the ground with the butt halfway across the trail and not a real problem right now. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
None. The ice on the trail would have been challenging for a dog today. |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
The trail section from the upper lot, across the snowmobile trail, and to the bridge was either totally bare or had just a few patches of easily avoided ice. The stretch between the bridge and the kiosk at the trail split had several places with significant hard ice; that part I continued to bareboot, picking my way over small patches of bare ground or rock. Not far above the kiosk I encountered more ice and decided I ought to get out the rock spikes. Even then, there were frequent slips of spikes on ice. I kept the spikes on over stretches of bare ground between icy areas, stepping on leaves or dirt to minimize further rounding of the spike tips. The extent of ice increased as I ascended, to the point where much or all of the trail was wall-to-wall ice. Most of the area by the picnic bench and tower was bare. I did not look to see what the top of the Cabin Trail was like. For the descent, I donned my newer 19-point aftermarket spikes, and the grip on the ice was good to the point where I could walk right along, which I could not have done with confidence using the 10-point rock spikes. I'll take a file to the tips of the rock spikes before using them again. I took the spikes off for the bare stretch above the kiosk, then donned them again for the stretch down to the bridge.
I encountered a group of three young folks ascending just above the bridge, as I was removing the spikes for the rest of the descent. They were in sneakers, and none had any traction. I told them about the ice they were about to encounter and the need for traction. They continued a short way until they were out of sight. I hope they had sense enough to abort the hike before they got too much into the continuous ice higher up.
Until weather moderates and the ice melts a lot more, this is not a trail to be on without good traction, as is the case for so many trails described here on NETC recently (since last week's warm temps and Monday's rain). |
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 | Name: |
Pappy |
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 | E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2026-03-19 |
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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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