By Associated Press - Saturday, November 25, 2017

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) - Damage from last month’s storm that downed trees and power lines across New England is still evident on hiking trails in New Hampshire’s White Mountains.

Two major trails remain closed and many others are littered with branches or trees that have not yet been cleared.

“Be prepared to encounter blow-downs,” Marianne Leberman, recreation wilderness program leader for the White Mountain National Forest, told the Concord Monitor. “We’re trying to cut out the blow-downs so trails are passable. They’re not pretty, but you can get through.”

Part of the challenge is that the forest’s seasonal work crews that work from spring through the fall had already finished their work and gone home for the season when the storm hit on Oct. 30.

Hikers can report problems on trails either by downloading forms and mailing them in or through an online system. Both are on the National Forest Stewardship Network site.

The Appalachian Mountain Club reported after the Oct. 30 storm that “the amount of blown down trees and trail erosion rivaled that of Hurricane Irene in 2011.” Crawford Notch was hit hard.

The Dry River Trail in Crawford Notch remains closed because of trail damage caused by heavy rains and the Rocky Branch Trail near Jackson is also closed because a bridge was badly damaged.

Leberman urged hikers to carry essentials such as extra food and water and a source of light in case of unexpected events and prepare for sharp changes in weather, as winter approaches.

“Things might feel good down below at the parking lot, but you go up and all of a sudden it’s ice-covered and you need crampons,” she said.

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Information from: Concord Monitor, http://www.concordmonitor.com

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