| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Bear Mtn, NW Peak, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Bushwhack |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Friday, April 17, 2026 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Snow - Trace/Minimal Depth, Wet/Slippery Rock, Mud - Minor/Avoidable |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
After climbing Black, Wheeler, and E Bear, I had plenty of time left in the day so I decided to revisit one of my favorite 3k bushwhacks, NW Bear. Since I was on the Sunday River side, I wanted to see about access from the logging roads from Ketchum. I drove as far as I dared with my truck before the mud got too sloppy to handle, then started up the logging roads to its terminus at a knoll between 2100-2200'.
I followed the steep mountainside up through several hundred feet of old logging regrowth and copious moose scat. Above the logging regrowth was moderate red spruce woods for several hundred feet, above which was open spruce and fir woods. I popped out on the summit ridge just east of the true summit. Views from the summit ledge were incredible.
Above 3000', ~10% of the ground had snow cover, mostly <6" depth. On the north side between 2600-3000', there was closer to 20% coverage, but still nothing that low gaiters won't protect against. The ground was still frozen above 3000'.
This approach would work well for anybody wanting a short approach to this peak for its view as long as you have a truck with working 4x4. The logging roads are very washed out once you cross Sunday River and head up the north side of the mountains. |
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 | Name: |
Snowman |
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 | E-Mail: |
bsnow4@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2026-04-18 |
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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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