| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
None, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Mt. Kineo Trail, bushwhack, Donkey Hill Cutoff, Three Ponds Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Sunday, January 5, 2025 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Large plowed, icy parking lot |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Snow - Trace/Minimal Depth, Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Easy |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
This is the "small Three Ponds-Kineo loop." I barebooted the whole thing counter clockwise. These trails are kind of weird in that they are shared with snowmobile trails part of the way, and attention is required w/ regard to getting on and off the snowmobile sections. Where the trail gets close to Brown Brook, there are huge chunks of ice for about one or two tenths of a mile where there was obviously significant high water.
Upon reaching Donkey Hill Cutoff, I segued .47 miles north to check out the collapsed young moose. (See my report of the "big Three Ponds-Kineo-Hubbard Brook loop" of 1/3/25.) The moose is lying on a snowmobile trail section of Mount Kineo Trail and cannot be missed. This spot is an easy 2-mile walk from the parking lot. A F&G person was notified of this moose on 1/3 and said it is their policy to "let nature take its course." 48 cold, blustery hours later... nature is still taking its course because the poor moose was still alive. F&G was again notified (through "dispatch"). 20 hours later I am still awaiting a callback. It seems the moral and ethical thing to do would be to put this suffering creature out of its misery. Sad.
With a heavy heart I bushwhacked through the shallow bog to Donkey Hill Cutoff (one slightly wet foot), took a left on Three Ponds Trail, visited the shelter, and paid close attention as the trail jumped on and off the snowmobile trail.
(I started the day with Rattlesnake Mtn. (barebooted) and ended the day with Peaked Hill Pond "Trail" (spikes), which is road most of the way.
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 | Name: |
Snowflea |
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 | E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2025-01-06 |
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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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