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Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks Square Ledge, NH
Trails
Trails: Oliverian Brook Trail, Square Ledge Branch, Square Ledge Trail, Passaconaway Cutoff
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Thursday, March 26, 2020
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: Parking is down to bare mud and can take about a dozen cars, if everyone parks smartly. The mud is firm at the moment, with not much danger of getting mired.  
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Snow/Ice - Monorail (Stable), Snow - Spring Snow 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment: Snowshoes, Light Traction 
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: Water crossings are plentiful on Oliverian Brook trail but there's one significant one on Passaconaway cutoff. Gore Tex boots will carry the day. Apart from that, just spend a moment or three picking your line and everything should be low-key. Right now, the water is deep enough to maybe hit your ankles, but not much more than that. I think apart from one or two of them, the water crossings had enough stepping stones that your boots shouldn't need to go into the drink all that much.  
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes: Trails were in fine shape. There were a couple blow-downs that I attended to with my folding saw. But otherwise, things were nominal overall.  
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes:  
Bugs
Bugs: A few flying insects here and there, but nothing to write home about. It's still early springtime.  
Lost and Found
Lost and Found:  
 
Comments
Comments: Y'know, doing that "social distancing" thing is pretty easy in the Whites. My one gripe was that I might have done it too well. I saw a single hiker... when I was driving home. Que sera, sera.

So the AMC book had around half a dozen words in four paragraphs about the really steep bit on Square Ledge trail. Yikes! But things were fine, if not thought-provoking in those steep bits. I think overall, this compares with Blueberry Ledges on nearby Whiteface. Except there were no blueberries to be found. Bummer.

In aggregate, the trails are pretty good. The water crossings are opening up, and any snow bridges should be regarded as weak. Don't step on anything questionable if you're not prepared for your boot to go for a swim. I broke through in a couple spots. Water's not deep enough in most places to be an issue, but just be aware of where you're stepping.

Today, the weather was superlative. If the weekend brings similar weather, this will be a fine ten mile outing for any seasoned NETC hiker. 10/10.

Photos and a more detailed write-up on my blog, as always.  
Name
Name: Protean Wanderer 
E-Mail
E-Mail: hiker@proteanwanderer.com 
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2020-03-26 
Link
Link: https://www.proteanwanderer.com/2020/03/27/trip-report-square-ledge/ 
Bookmark and Share 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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