| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
None, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Guinea Pond Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Wednesday, May 21, 2025 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
In the designated parking at the start of FR 400 off Sandwich Notch Rd. From Diamond Ledge Rd. to this point, Sandwich Notch Rd. is in good shape and in many spots it has been regraded. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Mud - Significant |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
The three crossings just north of the Mead Trail junction were all a bit high. The first two can be avoided by using a herd path along the brook bank. The third cannot by bypassed and requires dipping boots a bit. The crossing of Cold Brook has enough large rocks to make passage easy. Other small stream crossings were no problem. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
USFS has done a great job on the new relocation along the southern half of the trail. It begins 0.7 mi. in from Sandwich Notch Rd. and runs for a mile before returning to the existing route. This relocation completely avoids the section of railroad grade that has been flooded by beavers over the years. It stays uphill and well away from any future water problems. Scattered blowdowns along the entire route. The relocation around the northern beaver flooding is poorly marked (looks like some blazes have been removed even though this is not in a wilderness area), needs to be brushed out, and requires a short "logwhack" over a wet area. It could also use signs at both ends. I think it's only going to be a matter of time before the beavers take this over too. The spur path to Guinea Pond is effectively no more. The middle section of the path has been dammed by beavers and is underwater. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
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 | Bugs: |
Not too many with the cool temps today. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
An out-and-back trip along the entirety of Guinea Pond Trail to assess its condition for the next White Mountain Guide.
The new relocation is super. It's well built and stays high on the slope to avoid any future flooding issues. On the north end it uses part of the former high water detour, so there is no separate detour anymore. The relocation is the official trail now.
With that relocation, this entire trail becomes a whole lot drier now. The northern half had some stretches of mud and standing water but nothing unexpected after the spring we've been having.
Quiet as always out there today. I don't think I've ever seen anyone else along this trail. |
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 | Name: |
KenM |
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 | E-Mail: |
kmacgray@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2025-05-21 |
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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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