| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
None, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Champney Falls Trail, Piper Trail, West Side Trail, Liberty Trail, Brook Trail, Bee Line Trail, Bolles Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Sunday, July 14, 2019 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Got to Champney Falls parking lot around 8 so plenty of room, but on our return many cars out on the Kanc |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Mud - Significant |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
All easily crossed on rocks, even after the 15 minute downpour. Yes, there really are 11 crossings on the Bolles Trail! |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
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 | Bugs: |
Not bad, we use Buzz Away and reapply mid-hike. Black flies visited but not biting. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
Champney Falls, Piper, and West Side Trails were as expected after the rain a couple of days ago - wet, muddy, and water flowing over some of the steps. We were only on Brook Trail for 4/10 of a mile but it was the very steep upper ledge section off the Liberty Trail, and I can only say I am very glad we didn't get caught in the rain there. Our boots stuck fine on the ledges of Champney Falls Trail, but decided to slip and slide on the Brook Trail ledges. Did a lot of it on my butt. The ledges lasted for about 3/10 of a mile, very slow going but at least they were mostly dry. Bee Line was fine, just mud in spots but the trail became much softer underfoot. Two brook crossing, both fine but I can see how they could be tough after a hard rain. We made it past them before the heavy downpour. Bolles Trail was interesting - lots of snowmobile bridges some of which were falling apart and dislodged. Lots of mud with rocks, boards or tree branches to navigate. Lost the trail at one point, ended up following snowmobile markers for a while - after a few white blazes at the top of the Brook Trail none of the rest of our hike had any blazes. As we were climbing the height of land opposite Mt. Paugus we suddenly re-emerged on the trail. Think we lost it at a water crossing that was pretty well flooded. Once we got past the high point and descended back to Twin Brook we had lots of small water crossings, very easy except for one spot where the brook seems to have re-routed itself. The trail ended at the brook, we crossed and bushwhacked a short distance to pick it up again. Loop is about 9.5 miles, and I don't recommend doing it clockwise. Counter-clockwise you'd be climbing the Brook Trail ledges which I think might be easier. Overall a nice hike. |
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 | Name: |
Sugaree |
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 | E-Mail: |
barkers@alumni.unh.edu |
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| Date Submitted: |
2019-07-15 |
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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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