| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Lonesome Lake Hut, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Basin-Cascades Trail, Cascade Brook Trail, Fishin' Jimmy Trail, Pemi Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Sunday, September 22, 2019 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
The southbound Basin parking area (and the Basin area itself) were surprisingly empty at 9:50 in the morning, despite the beautiful weather and comfortable temperatures. At 2:30 in the afternoon, the parking lot and Basin itself were much more crowded, but there were still a few empty spots in the lot. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
This route has many significant water crossings - I crossed Cascade Brook four times and Whitehouse Brook twice. All were fairly straightforward rock hops - plenty of exposed rocks with the low water levels. One unexpectedly positive note - the WMG mentions that the crossing of Cascade Brook on Pemi Trail can be very difficult in high water. However, it turns out there is now a bridge over that crossing, making it easy at any water level! |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Basin-Cascades Trail and the portion of Cascade Brook Trail above the junction with Kinsman Pond Trail are rough and eroded (though never steep). The remainder of Cascade Brook Trail is in much better condition. The upper Cascade Brook Trail also has several sections of water running down the trail (despite the dry conditions), making the trail a constant rock-hop in some places. There is no sign for Basin-Cascades Trail at its junction with Cascade Brook Trail (though it's obvious there's a trail there, and there is a blue blaze visible from the junction). Cascade Brook Trail probably has no more than a dozen white blazes over its entire length, but it's easy to follow anyway. No blowdowns. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Saw two. One ignored me, and the other was kept under control by its owner (thanks so much, I always appreciate that!). Despite the dry conditions, the numerous water crossings on my route would probably be sufficient for them. |
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 | Bugs: |
Despite the warm temperatures, only a few, and they were not bothersome. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
None. |
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 | Comments: |
What a perfect hike! I always like it when everything goes according to plan. The parking lot had space, the trails weren't too crowded, the water crossings weren't difficult, the summits of the Franconias were clearly visible from Lonesome Lake, the hut had great cake, the trail down was (mostly) gradual and smooth, and the difficult water crossing at the end had a new bridge that I didn't know would be there. It doesn't get much better than that! |
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 | Name: |
GN |
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 | E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2019-09-22 |
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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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