| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Passaconaway, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Downes Brook Trail, abandoned Downes Brook Slide Trail, bushwhack, Walden Trail, Passaconaway Cutoff, Oliverian Brook Trail, road walk |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, September 20, 2025 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
I was the first car at UNH/Hedgehog/Potash lot for Downes Brook. Plenty of room. Oliverian lot had only three cars when I returned at twilight |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
The first four crossings of Downes Brook were very easy rock hops |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Generally good, (except, of course, for the abandoned trail, where any maintenance is illegal). The upper part of Walden (the summit loop) has sections that need a bit of brushing; only a few inches of clearance across the entire width of the trail. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Ample water off the trail in Oliverian Brook, less than usual in Downes Brook. Dry elsewhere except for a couple of small ponds. The Downes Brook Slide would probably be difficult for most dogs |
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 | Bugs: |
none at all! |
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 | Lost and Found: |
A very small bottle of pickle juice, almost empty |
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 | Comments: |
This extremely steep, abandoned Downes Brook Slide trail is difficult to find and perhaps even more difficult to follow, and should only be attempted by those with the time and physical/navigational ability to bushwhack all the way to the summit. The slide is slippery and dangerous, especially where water is or has been flowing.
I found the lower part of the old trail by crossing the unified slide track too early, and whacking along the SW side til I found an old blaze and a very faint footpath.
In retrospect, I think the remnant trail is below and to the west of the obvious right branch of the main slide. In the two places I followed it, it was faintly discernable, with a few tree blazes (perhaps the more recent, illegal ones that USFS blackened and obscured 15 or so years ago).
What I should have realized is that the streams connected to the right branch of the slide have many branches themselves, some of them quite substantial. This confusion likely contributed to my losing the trail for a couple hours. The upper part of the abandoned trail connects with the spur to the north facing viewpoint. It is almost unrelentingly steep, with few handholds, and even a nifty ledge where rock climbing skills would've helped. |
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 | Name: |
Darrell Hart |
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 | E-Mail: |
dhart222222@yahoo.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2025-09-22 |
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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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