| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Welch Mountain, Dickey Mountain, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Welch-Dickey Loop Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Friday, August 28, 2020 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Closest lot was full at 1pm, a couple cars in the other lots as well. Down to about 4 cars by 7pm. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
One easy rockhop at the start. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
There is one immense widowmaker at the start of the Welch trail, that goes right across the trail, high above the trail. It's not an impediment to travel. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
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 | Bugs: |
None |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
First time hiking this one for me. I came in with minimal expectations and ended up really enjoying the entire hike. Some fun scrambles. Not a good hike for wet weather as there are some steep wide tilted big ass slabs of ledge to go up, and they don't have any indentations on them; you're counting on your shoes gripping the tilted ledge. Fortunately, these ledges are very grippy when dry. Best to do the whole loop as there are cool views on both mountains. And very wise to go CCW so the worst ledges are on the climb, instead of the descent.
Despite the short 4.4 mile distance of the loop, a serious and exhilarating workout can be had by simply attacking the steeps and the scrambles with enthusiasm.
From the summit of Welch, I saw that the North ledges appeared to be accessible. Indeed I found a way to weave my way over there, staying on clear ledge so I wouldn't get reamed for stepping on the rare plants up there. I went out there after someone asked me to identify twin peaks visible from Welch. I couldn't immediately identify them, but I knew I had seen them before, and I wanted to see what was to the left of them, and the North ledges opened up that view for me. It was Lafayette and Lincoln, and the reason I knew them was because of a photo I took while perched atop Mt. Flume 2 winters ago. It didn't immediately register without snow on them. But the cool double pyramid look, and then making out Cannon with the pimple where the tower is, and the shape of the Cannon balls gave it away. I sat out there for over an hour, and no one came out there.
Cool hike. I ran into other hikers, but it wasn't bad. It may be coming in the afternoon allows one to skip the main tourist mass. |
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 | Name: |
Steve Marion |
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 | E-Mail: |
swampfoxsteve@gmail |
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| Date Submitted: |
2020-08-28 |
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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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