| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Index Rock, Huntington Cascades, Table Rock, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Sanguinary Ridge Trail, Flume Brook Trail, Huntington Cascades Trail, Three Brothers Trail, Middle Brother Outlook Spur, Table Rock E-Z Trail, road walk |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, July 3, 2021 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
I parked in a large pullout opposite Lake Gloriette just below the main entrance to the Balsams (I was the only vehicle there). There's also a parking area right at the main entrance. Table Rock E-Z Trail has a parking area on the side of the road as well. There shouldn't be any issues with any of them. The road walk is fine - most of it has a nice wide shoulder. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Significant |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Only crossings of consequence were the two of Cascade Brook (the brook where the Huntington Cascades are located). Both were straightforward rock hops. Note that the WMG claims that the lower crossing is done on a bridge, however while there is a bridge at that location, it doesn't span the brook (it was pulled in its entirety onto one of the banks). Not sure what the deal with that was. The crossing wasn't difficult either way. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
A couple of blowdowns, but none were difficult to get around. Signs were generally in place, but they weren't always completely clear, so you should read up on the trails and know which way you're going so that the signs are just a confirmation - don't rely completely on them. All trails were damp due to the rain. It started raining in earnest right around where Huntington Cascades Trail becomes Three Brothers Trail. Three Brothers Trail had some mudpits but wasn't too bad. Table Rock E-Z Trail, however, had a LOT of mud and standing water, and was very eroded in sections. I counted maybe 5 waterbars on the entire trail - it could have used dozens. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
The loose, gravelly footing and steep dropoffs of Sanguinary Ridge Trail make it less than ideal for dogs. They'd be fine on Huntington Cascades, Three Brothers, and Table Rock E-Z Trails. |
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 | Bugs: |
Thanks to the cool temperatures, wetness, and rain, there were none. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
From the pullout where I parked, I walked the short distance to the Balsams entrance, found the beginning of Sanguinary Ridge Trail with little difficulty, and headed up. The first part of the trail switchbacks up a very steep slope - in dry weather there probably wouldn't be too much to worry about, but all the rocks were wet and slippery, so I had to be very careful to not slip on one and slide down the slope. Just before reaching Index Rock, the trail crosses a gravelly rockslide area - there's a somewhat clear footway, but be very careful. Above Index Rock, the rock stairs on the gravelly slope help immensely - I can't even imagine how difficult that section must have been before the rock steps were added. Once you re-enter the woods, it's mostly good footing and a few more outlooks and switchbacks up to the junction with the Cohos Trail.
The descent of the other side of Sanguinary Ridge Trail was mostly moderate, but the rocks were again slippery, and particularly in the upper part the trail crosses some very steep sidehills and some sheer dropoffs - not exactly my favorite. Further down, it generally gets better. The trail is easy to follow in this direction. The small flume at the base of the trail, right next to the wayside area, was flowing very well. Flume Brook Trail is easy to follow, but I think the mileages given in the WMG may be wrong - almost the entirety of the trail is north of Route 26, only a very short section is south of it since the Cascade Brook wayside area is right next to the road.
Huntington Cascades Trail was beautiful, and the cascades were flowing well. Right around where the trail becomes Three Brothers Trail, the rain started in earnest - previously it had been cloudy and misting, but not really raining. The WMG's description of where Huntington Cascades Trail becomes Three Brothers Trail wasn't exactly accurate either - the WMG claims that Three Brothers Trail begins at the upper crossing of Cascade Brook, while the sign for Three Brothers Trail is actually about 0.2 miles before that. Three Brothers Trail was a wet, moderate climb - nothing too difficult, but a few steep sections. I took the Middle Brother Overlook spur, which was fairly easy to follow but very brushy (car wash conditions), and found at the end of the trail a spectacular view of gray soup. I then continued on to Table Rock, where the view was a similarly spectacular gray soup. Since the rock was wet, I did not venture out very far onto it.
The sign for Table Rock E-Z Trail is clearly visible coming from Table Rock, but somewhat hidden if one is approaching via Three Brothers Trail. The Table Rock E-Z Trail itself was extremely wet and muddy from the rain. I slipped on the mud and fell on my butt during the descent of it. It's also quite eroded in places - it could definitely use some trail work.
Not exactly the greatest day to redline these trails - the incredible views that I've heard exist here were practically invisible - but sometimes hiking plans work out perfectly and sometimes they don't, and I'd still rather be hiking in the clouds than sitting at home doing nothing. These trails are definitely worth a return trip sometime on a nicer day. |
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 | Name: |
GN |
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 | E-Mail: |
ghnaigles@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2021-07-04 |
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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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