| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Sandwich Dome, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Guinea Pond Trail, Black Mountain Pond Trail, Algonquin Trail, Bennett Street Trail, Flat Mountain Pond Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Sunday, September 20, 2020 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Sandwich Notch Road from the Campton side had a few stretches of waterboard/potholes. Not a good idea for low clearance vehicles, but otherwise relatively decent for this road. Limited room near the Guinea Pond trailhead, but some places to pull off nearby. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Low or dry. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
No major blowdowns. These lightly used trails have been spared from COVID "social distancing" damage. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Scrambles on upper Black Mountain Pond Trail may cause issues for some dogs. |
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 | Bugs: |
Minimal |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
Trails were mostly dry with very little mud to be found. Guinea Pond Trail to the Black Mountain Pond Trail junction was very dry; even the area with the high water bypass was easily crossed.
Black Mountain Pond Trail up to the pond was also very dry. Mary Cary Falls is bone dry; not worth it right now unless red lining. The pond area was easier to navigate this time as compared to my last visit, with some revegetation areas closing off confusing herd paths. The scrambles above the pond were also bone dry with lots of great views.
Algonquin Trail was also bone dry. We originally had planned to descend this way, but decided to do a longer loop down Bennett Street. The footbed on much of this trail is fantastic; the way some 4Ks were a decade or so before the heavy use and erosion. Gleason Trail junctions are still visible, but it looks like more blowdowns are filling in the corridor.
Flat Mountain Pond Trail southbound had a little bit of mud around the railroad ties, but then was dry for the duration. Transitioning to Guinea Pond Trail, there was a section in which the trail seemingly disappeared without a trace into a swamp. Lots of herd paths forming to the left, but the (very lightly) blazed trail goes to the right, sort of through a grassy/marshy area (no issues getting through today) and around the back, eventually rejoining the logging grades. Later on, the Guinea Pond spur is not signed and also goes through some (no issues today) marshy areas.
Apart from the top of Sandwich Dome, we saw zero people all day. Beautiful weather with a frosty start and nice sunny ledges. Some nice fall colors popping up near the ponds, as well as along the transmission corridor. |
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 | Name: |
rocket21 |
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 | E-Mail: |
rocket21@franklinwebpublishing.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2020-09-20 |
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 | Link: |
 https://www.franklinsites.com/hikephotos |
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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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