Record Streamflows in NH - Road Damaged

[peakbagger]

The rain today (Saturday) has set new records for streamflows at this time of year. I would expect that there is a lot of damage on Forest Service roads and secondary roads. Some state highways have been damaged. Anyone heading out on Sunday had best be ready to be flexible. I hope Sawyer River Road and Jefferson Notch make it through.

Probably time to start a thread on what is closed and open.

 

[RollingRock]

I'm concerned about any backpackers who did stream crossings Saturday morning and are now trapped. The weather forecast was quite dire for the weekend so hopefully most backpackers had other plans.

 

[richard]

I had plans to hike the Wildcats this wknd. But have to push it up till Mon. If it's safe. Can I hike up the Polecat trail if I need to at this time of year? Is the trail open for hiking? I've never used this trail. What should I expect? What about the 19 mile brook trail? Are there water crossings that I should be concerned about? Thanks for any help.

 

[peakbagger]

A very important resource for hiking in rainy conditions (and post rain) is https://waterdata.usgs.gov/nh/nwis/current/?type=flow

Look for the river flow chart and the gauge height. You can see the seven day average, you can project the slope of the current line and if its higher than the last weeks average it may be time to delay hikes with significant water crossings.

There are a couple of key gauges

Androscoggin - Peabody River - This give you a good idea on flow in streams south of Pinkham Notch, West of the Carter Moriah Ridgeline and the Great Gulf Drainage https://waterdata.usgs.gov/nh/nwis/uv/?site_no=01054114&PARAmeter_cd=00065,00060

Merrimack River Basin - East Branch Pemi in Lincoln https://waterdata.usgs.gov/nh/nwis/uv/?site_no=01074520&PARAmeter_cd=00065,00060

Over on the equivalent Maine site there is the Wild River in Gilead https://waterdata.usgs.gov/me/nwis/uv?site_no=01054200 This ones far more important this year as the FS removed a suspension bridge last year and I expect some folks are having a much longer hike today.

The wildcats via the Polecat trail out and back would have been fine today, the only crossing is at the ski lodge and that's a very good bridge. The ski area scarred up the maintenance road in spots and they don't seem to care about erosion so in some spots you may need to stay to the side to avoid ditches but that mostly an annoyance. Bring your sunscreen and sunglasses with plenty of water as the ski slopes are in full sun. Keep an eye out for wild strawberries, this frequent rain has made them plentiful and plump.

 

[richard]

Thanks, good information.

 

[DayTrip]

I'm concerned about any backpackers who did stream crossings Saturday morning and are now trapped. The weather forecast was quite dire for the weekend so hopefully most backpackers had other plans.

There was a story on one of the NH news websites about a group that attempted the Hancocks over the weekend (grossly unprepared from the sound of it) and spent some unplanned overnight time waiting for a rescue. Fortunately no injuries at least. Surprised this is the only story from the weekend considering that violent spike in water levels.