| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Sandwich Dome, NH |
|
 | Trails: |
Flat Mountain Pond Trail, Guinea Pond Trail, Guinea Pond Side Path, Black Mountain Pond Trail, Mary Cary Falls Spur, Algonquin Trail, Bennett Street Trail, Gleason Trail |
|
 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, June 13, 2026 |
|
 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
There was one car at 8:00 and 3 at 2:00. The Bennett Street parking lot is big and doesn't seem likely to fill up.
Bennett Street switches to dirt about 1 mile from the trailhead, and about a half mile out splits into the residential street and the street that goes to the trailhead. This last half mile is pretty rugged, my small SUV with 6" of ground clearance made it, but I wouldn't want to it with a lower sedan. The other cars in the lot had higher ground clearances than my car. |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Mud - Significant |
|
 | Recommended Equipment: |
|
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
All crossing were either easy to rock hop or shallow enough that I could walk through EXCEPT on Guinea Pond trail there is a section where the trail has been flooded about 3 miles or so from the Bennett Street trailhead. There are enough logs perfectly placed so it is possible to get across, but it requires some balancing. I managed to keep my feet dry all day. |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
There was a downed tree that could be stepped over not far into Guinea Pond trail. Nearby there was also a small bridge that is washed out and sitting on logs and rocks in the stream, although it wasn't needed for this small crossing. I don't know if anything can be done about the flooding, but as many have noted, Guinea Pond trail is very flooded.
There was a small downed tree on Bennett Street trail near the summit of Sandwich Dome that landed with its canopy and many small branches on the trail, but it can be stepped over. There was also a larger tree on the trail just beyond that which is obstructing the trail, but a small herd path around it has formed. There was also a step over by the Flat Mountain Pond trail intersection on Bennett Street trail. |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
I've been surprised before, but I don't think dogs could cross the logs in the flooded section of Guinea Pond trail. There are also rock scrambles on Black Mountain Pond trail that would be very difficult. |
|
 | Bugs: |
I put on bug spray somewhat preemptively and they actually were not as bad as I was expecting. There were a lot flying around at the summit of Sandwich Dome, but they didn't appear to be biting. |
|
 | Lost and Found: |
|
|
|
|
|
 | Comments: |
I was very surprised to only see 4 people today! There was a nice breeze keeping it cool all day, and the visibility was excellent.
Guinea Pond trail follows the site of the Beebe River Logging Railroad, so it is very straight and flat, but it goes through a lot of marshy area and has been flooded a lot. I managed to stay dry and avoid the mud, but there was a lot of wetness throughout this trail. While not dancing around the mud, it is a smooth and peaceful walk through the forest. I also enjoyed the marsh scenery, even if it was overtaking the trail in parts. Since it is so wide and flat it isn't hard to follow, expect for the flooded area.
Guinea Pond Side path has flooded. Unlike the flooded section on Guinea Pond trail, there are very few logs. I got about halfway into the flooded area with some careful route finding and balancing, but with the trail under feet of water decided I had done the extent of remaining trail.
Black Mountain Pond trail is amazing and an absolute hidden gem. I love that trail and it is one of my favorites, possibly even my #1 favorite trail. It is similar to Blueberry Ledge trail, but has more rock scrambles, very similar exceptional views, and Black Mountain Pond is a very pretty pond. I imagine this trail isn't used a lot, but is still relatively easy to follow. Mary Cary Falls was small, but maybe earlier in the spring with higher water levels it was larger.
Bennett Street trail was in excellent shape, and appears to get more traffic than I was expecting. It was very steady and granted a pretty smooth descent. |
|
 | Name: |
EMC_Squared |
|
 | E-Mail: |
|
|
| Date Submitted: |
2026-06-13 |
|
 | Link: |
 https:// |
|
|
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. |
|
