| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Potash Mountain, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Downes Brook Trail, Mt. Potash Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, July 4, 2020 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Huge lot. Was nearly full when we arrived, cars parked along the driveway in, some on the Kanc. A few people had finished and we got a space right near the kiosk. And for those curious, Lincoln Woods looked like Columbus Day in Franconia used to look. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
On the way in I took off my boots. Don't have much of a stride with my short legs. On the way back, easy rock hop. Either the water level went down just enough or it appeared easier from this direction. Anyway, it does mention (WMG) that this may be difficult. You can always take a short walk down the Kancamangus Highway from the parking lot to where the forest service road is. It will take you to the trail. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Signs are good, only one blow down (Potash Trail). Blazes on ledges near the top are faded. Thank you for your work. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Saw a few. Watch them on the ledges and bring water. Other than Downes Brook (near the start of the hike), there is none at the moment (a few dry beds exist, so maybe in the spring...). |
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 | Bugs: |
A few mosquitoes. Countless beautiful butterflies. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
Friday, Gov Sununu announced that Massachusetts would be welcome. It's been roughly 110 days, folks. Grateful and happy to be back. Wore our masks when passing other hikers, brought all food and water from home (and methods of purifying it if we ran out, which we always carry), and a full tank in the Corolla. So we were all set.
Perfect day for this hike. Views from the first set of ledges were crystal clear. You are facing Passaconoway and can look over to the left to see Chocorua peaking through the trees. Then there is a climb over a lot of smooth rock to the summit. Some of these slabs were damp, but nothing insurmountable. There is a small sign welcoming you to the small Alpine zone reminding you it is important to keep to the trail and not walk on shallow soil or small plants. As I mentioned, the blazes on some of these rocks are faded, but it is easy to figure out where to go. Beautiful views from the top, especially of Carrigan and its Notch. We spent a better part of the afternoon here and I had a summit nap under a small evergreen. Third time here, but never in the summer.
Although the lot was full, we didn't see too many people. The lot serves Hedgehog Mtn (UNH Trail) and the Downes Brook Trail, so many of the people were probably dispersed all over. I don't mind if there are 2 people or a crowd; but in the interest of keeping the impact to a minimum, we deliberately avoided crowded places. This worked out great. We came back to a nearly empty lot. As we were putting our stuff in the car, we saw Swamp Fox (didn't know it was him until I saw the report) emerge after a good day's work on the Downes Trail. Thank you, Steve, and everyone else who does this.
It's good to be back! |
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 | Name: |
Beckie and Prema |
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 | E-Mail: |
beckiejani@yahoo.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2020-07-05 |
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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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