| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Passaconaway, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Oliverian Brook Trail, Passaconaway Cut-Off, Square Ledge Trail, Walden Trail, Dicey's Mill Trail, East Loop |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Thursday, October 14, 2021 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Plenty of room in the Oliverian Brook trailhead off the Kancamagus Highway (route 112) |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Leaves - Significant/Slippery |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
The crossing on the Oliverian Brook Trail after the Wilderness Boundary is easy on rocks.
The best crossing on the west branch of Oliverian Brook is just a few yards downstream from the path crossing. Not difficult as the water level was not high. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
The trail signs at the Passaconaway Cut-Off and Square Ledge trail junction are weather worn and blend nicely in the surroundings. An inattentive hiker may miss them. The lettering has no contrast to the background that is typical of the Wilderness signage. The junction is uphill from the ledge on the Passaconaway Trail with a boulder on the right side of the trail on ascent. Right on the Square Ledge Trail leads towards Mt Passaconaway.
The WODC has installed water bars and rock steps on the Dicey's Mill Trail above East Loop trail junction. There is a dead tree across the Dicey's Mill Trail at about 5 feet above the surface located above the stretch with the trail work.
One tree across the Passaconaway Cut-Off Trail on a slant with the highest clearance of around 5+ feet that is not difficult to go under. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Fine for dogs |
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 | Bugs: |
A few that were not bothersome |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
Much of the Oliverian Brook, Passaconaway, and Square Ledge trails were covered in newly fallen leaves that made for a colorful pathway but conceal roots and rocks (including loose stones) that present a potential trip/roll hazard especially on descent. The leaves were not wet today.
There were occasional mud spots that usually had stones or logs to hop on although I sunk in a couple of times. No bog bridges.
The walk down to the north viewpoint was worth the small effort even though the high peaks were enshrouded in clouds. The fall foliage in the Swift and Sawyer river valleys from this perch was a magnificent sight.
There are three other viewpoints; south on Walden Trail (Winnipesaukee & Squam), east ledge off Walden Trail (Chocorua), and west ledge off Dicey's Mill Trail (Tripyramids).
The summit has no views. A small cairn in a cleared area marks the summit.
I saw no other hikers except on the Dicey's Mill Trail and the north viewpoint path. The north approach from the Kancamagus Highway usually has less hikers than from Ferncroft on the south side.
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 | Name: |
WAUMBEK |
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 | E-Mail: |
waumbek@roadrunner.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2021-10-14 |
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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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