| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
None, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Three Ponds Trail, Donkey Hill Cutoff, Mount Kineo Trail, Kineo Trail Road (FR 22F), Hubbard Brook Road (FR 22), Hubbard Brook Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Friday, January 3, 2025 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
We were able to drive to the summer parking on FR 211, 0.1 mile from NH 118. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Snow - Unpacked Powder, Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
There were multiple streams, streamlets, drainages, and wet spots, none of which presented any issues (although a couple required big steps). The Sucker Brook crossing, a beaver dam, was interesting. The beaver dam was sticking up enough and not at all flooded this day. Where the trails coincided with snowmobile trails, the crossings had big, wide bridges. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
There were the usual quantity of blowdowns for this time of year, nothing show stopping. Multiple branches strewn about all the trails, some of which were flicked off trail. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Little mountain dog with us did fine. |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
Three Ponds Trail had a couple inches of snow down low, increasing to 4-6" of crusty snow with more powder near the height of land. We eventually put on snowshoes. Probably should have done that sooner but didn't feel too bad about pock marking the trail with boot prints as the next hikers through here probably won't be until May.
Donkey Hill Cutoff had seen more traffic from those doing "the small loop" from the Stinson Lake side, a bit bony for snowshoeing. We took a left on Mount Kineo Trail. This area is somewhat confusing as it intersects and coincides with snowmobile trails and has been rerouted away from the river. Thankfully, in our small group was the only four-time WMG trails finisher, who knows his way around. :)
About 1/2 mile up Mt. Kineo Trail from the Donkey Hill Cutoff, still on snowmobile trail (no snowmobiles here yet because not enough snow), we came across a young moose lying in the trail. The poor thing was flailing its legs but seemed unable to lift its head or body. A bit further up trail we got phone service and messaged F&G, their response being "We don't deal with those. We let nature take its course." (This spot is only about 2 miles from the trailhead on the Stinson Lake side and is on a snowmobile trail so wouldn't be terribly difficult to access. Thinking euthanasia to put it out of its misery, but...)
Continuing on in a much more somber mood, once off the snowmobile trail Mount Kineo Trail is a pleasant, steady, 1250 foot climb to the ridgecrest, very enjoyable snowshoeing and a bit more powder here. Yay! Likewise, the descent to Mt. Kineo Trail Road was nice but would have been more fun with a few more inches of snow.
Next up was the road walk, 1/2 mile down Mount Kineo Road, then left up Hubbard Brook Road for about 1.4 miles, easy and flat snowshoeing. Hubbard Brook Trail wasn't as wet as I'd anticipated. A couple of the beaver dams are no longer there - but a few still are - so the trail has less bogginess to negotiate as compared to my last visit in summer 10 years ago. There was one area of very active beaver activity near the height of land, with many half-chewed trees and a little beaver path crossed. This trail is nicely marked with yellow blazes, a good thing as the route makes some abrupt turns here and there. (Wouldn't want to do this trail in the dark!) We finally removed snowshoes about a mile from the end. Once we hit FR 211, it was smooth sailing back to the parking area. |
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 | Name: |
Snowflea & friends |
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 | E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2025-01-04 |
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 | Link: |
 https:// |
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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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