Just How Bad Is It?

[WhiteMTHike]

Greetings,

I've got a hiking trip planned for this weekend (May 19-21) I'm staying in Lincoln and would like to do a couple of short hikes, one on Welch-Dickey the other Potash. If anyone on this board is from Lincoln or the surrounding area could you please let me know how the overall conditions are in the area due to this Noah's Ark type rainfall? I didn't find much on the Trail Conditions forum and I'm also wondering if there are any problems with the roads.

Normally I wouldn't ask this type of question,I'd just head up and fight whatever elements. However, this rainfall has been excessive and I have a good amount of traveling to do. If conditions are that bad I might just postpone until June. Thanks in advance for any advice.

 

[Mohamed Ellozy]

If anyone on this board is from Lincoln or the surrounding area could you please let me know how the overall conditions are in the area due to this Noah's Ark type rainfall?

The Noah's Ark type rainfall was more to the south. True, we left the Lincoln area for Gorham over the weekend, but I came home to find my home still in place

More seriously, water drains away very fast, so there should be absolutely no trace of this past weekend's rain by next weekend. Of course, who knows what will come down mid-week.

Of the two trails you are thinking of, the Welch-Dickey has no major stream crossings, so it should not be a problem.

The Mt. Potash Trail has a major stream crossing low down; if there is serious rain mid-week (and that is not in the current forecast) it can be bypassed, by taking a logging road that starts 0.6 miles west of the trailhead and intersects the Mt Potash Trail close to the 1,500 foot contour. The logging road is clearly shown on the AMC maps.

 

[WhiteMTHike]

Thanks Mohamed. The Downes Brook is the crossing you are referring to at Potash. I'm familiar with, fell in it on a hot October day, so I will probably take that logging road which as you stated is clearly marked on the AMC map. My biggest concern on both trails will be whatever moisture reamins on the ledges. So I'll be sure to do my homework before heading up.

Praying for some sun.

 

[Quietman]

Today's forecasts are calling for another storm on Fri/Sat. Hopefully it will miss. I think that we have made up for the dry spring.

 

[Waumbek]

There was only light rain overnight (Mon-Tues) in Franconia; streams and rivers are high, but not experiencing the epic conditions in So. NH.

In the Whites, So. Carroll county is having bigger problems.

Here's what WMNF is saying:

"Hiker / Visitor Alerts and Current Conditions
Caution: Heavy rain over the weekend has swollen streams and saturated soil on the Forest, and more rain is expected in the days ahead. Forest Service Safety Officer Chris Joosen says, "Many areas of the Forest picked up 4-5", and another couple is likely over the next 36 to 48 hours." Water crossings, trails, and gravel roads could be difficult or dangerous to negotiate, and this should be carefully considered during trip planning."[end quote]

Joosen must be referring to the southeastern parts of the Forest.

The NH DOT map will give you a sense of where the flood problems are.

 

[MadRiver]

I hiked Old Bridal Path to Greenleaf Hut on Saturday with no problem. There is a little ice just below the hut, which is easily negotiated.

 

[WhiteMTHike]

Thank you all for your help. Especially you Waumbeck, this NHDOT map was most helpful.