| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
The Captain, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Sawyer River Trail, Hancock Notch Trail, Livermore Road, bushwhack |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, September 12, 2026 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Sawyer River Trailhead had enough space for 4 cars with probably room for another 4 along the road |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Leaves - Significant/Slippery |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
2 water crossings - Swift River and Sawyer River were rockhoppable. Brought crocs but didn't need them. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Sawyer River, Hancock Notch and Livermore Rd were all wide and open |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Wouldn't recommend because there are some quite steep areas |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
We started at the Sawyer River trailhead. Turned left onto Hancock Notch Trail. Hiked 0.4 miles on HNT then easily bushwhacked and crossed the Sawyer River (rockhoppable) to Livermore Road. Reached open 911 helicopter landing area at 3.5 miles. Continued on Livermore and reached climbers' camp at 5.2 miles. Followed herd path out of camp. There is a small cairn that marks the beginning of a herd path for the rock climbers and a drainage. We followed the herd path for the rock climbers. We realized we were veering too far west so we bushwhacked north to the drainage, as was recommended by a someone else. It was steep and pokey. At 3000 feet we continued north and hit a large headwall. We traversed west along the base of the headwall 0.1 miles and found a herd path that led us just to the west of the col at the base of the Captain. We contoured northwesterly at 3300 feet and found a steep and tight herd path to the summit. PVC canister had 3 eyepatches. We replaced the ziplock bags and pencils. We did not go to Carrigain Pond. Limited views of the Pond and Carrigain as we descended the summit. Followed the same way out except at the headwall we descended southeasterly toward the drainage and hiked along the side of it until it lead us directly back to the climber’s camp. Total of 12 miles, 2000 feet of gain, and took us 11:20 hours. |
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 | Name: |
Pauline F |
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 | E-Mail: |
paulifeng@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2026-09-13 |
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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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