JCarter
Member
Out-and-back to Mt Wolf with Twinkle-Toes, 8-3-2014
Trail Conditions: Reel Brook Trail has received a lot of rain recently, and has some wet and muddy spots. Most are easy to navigate on stepping stones or corduroy. All crossings easy (Reel Brook was actually lower today than it was back in June when I was out clearing blowdowns, brushing, and dealing with drainage.) Water bars in good shape, though lots of flow on the trail after the 3rd crossing up to the flat section in the gap. This Spring's drainage work in the upper 1/2 mile of the trail seems to have had a positive effect, only a few trouble sections remain in this area.
Kinsman Ridge Trail largely in fine shape, though some muddy areas. Section from 1/4 mi to 1/2 mi north of Mt Wolf has numerous very muddy sections (foot-deep soft mud, standing water), some of which have been bypassed by herd-paths. About half the existing bog bridges are very new, and working well. Many seem near the end-of-life, and there are 3 or 4 that have completely failed. Even with all the mud & water, managed to keep my feet dry.
Comments; saw and chatted with a couple of NOBO thru-hikers, and saw numerous other pairs and singles headed north on the KRT doing various day-trips and overnights. Saw 1! person on the RBT during the hike out (which is one more than typically seen on this trail). Checked out the view spot under the powerlines off the RBT @ 2.4 miles (mentioned on hikenewengland.com), pretty good view of some cliffs on the other side of the power lines.
Viewpoint on East Wolf has some look-over shrubbery. Can see Cannon to the north, and Franconia Ridge south to Flume (except for the clouds obscuring Lafayette), and Indian Head (Mt Pemigewasset) nestled in the valley. Side-path to East Wolf is signed with white "Outlook" sign.
West Wolf was easy to find via fairly easy to follow paths. Found summit canister in the duff, not many entries from this summer, but a couple. Recognized a lot of handles in the register, which goes back to 2007.
Trail Conditions: Reel Brook Trail has received a lot of rain recently, and has some wet and muddy spots. Most are easy to navigate on stepping stones or corduroy. All crossings easy (Reel Brook was actually lower today than it was back in June when I was out clearing blowdowns, brushing, and dealing with drainage.) Water bars in good shape, though lots of flow on the trail after the 3rd crossing up to the flat section in the gap. This Spring's drainage work in the upper 1/2 mile of the trail seems to have had a positive effect, only a few trouble sections remain in this area.
Kinsman Ridge Trail largely in fine shape, though some muddy areas. Section from 1/4 mi to 1/2 mi north of Mt Wolf has numerous very muddy sections (foot-deep soft mud, standing water), some of which have been bypassed by herd-paths. About half the existing bog bridges are very new, and working well. Many seem near the end-of-life, and there are 3 or 4 that have completely failed. Even with all the mud & water, managed to keep my feet dry.
Comments; saw and chatted with a couple of NOBO thru-hikers, and saw numerous other pairs and singles headed north on the KRT doing various day-trips and overnights. Saw 1! person on the RBT during the hike out (which is one more than typically seen on this trail). Checked out the view spot under the powerlines off the RBT @ 2.4 miles (mentioned on hikenewengland.com), pretty good view of some cliffs on the other side of the power lines.
Viewpoint on East Wolf has some look-over shrubbery. Can see Cannon to the north, and Franconia Ridge south to Flume (except for the clouds obscuring Lafayette), and Indian Head (Mt Pemigewasset) nestled in the valley. Side-path to East Wolf is signed with white "Outlook" sign.
West Wolf was easy to find via fairly easy to follow paths. Found summit canister in the duff, not many entries from this summer, but a couple. Recognized a lot of handles in the register, which goes back to 2007.
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