| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Three Ponds, NH |
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 | Trails: |
FR 211, Three Ponds Trail, Three Ponds shelter spur, Donkey Hill Cutoff, Mt. Kineo Trail, Mount Kineo Road, Hubbard Brook Road, Hubbard Brook Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, May 19, 2018 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
The western Hubbard Brook Trailhead on FR 211 from 118 is washed out a short distance in - opposite the log house - so getting to the actual parking area at the trailhead is not possible. I was told by a local as I was leaving the USFS will be fixing this. I parked off to the side of the road near the entrance. Also note there is a hiker symbol sign visible from 118 heading east but not one heading west - so if coming from Woodstock you could whiz right by the entrance. Ask me how I know... |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Mud - Significant, Leaves - Significant/Slippery |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
The crossings on Hubbard Brook Trail were no problem. No other major ones on this route. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Lots of trees and limbs down throughout. It seemed like there were two of significance on each trail segment. Quite a few whack-arounds. A stretch on the east section of Hubbard Brook Trail is well flooded due to very impressive beaver work. All junctions are signed and trailheads are signed. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
I saw two lunch while having lunch the rocks at DHC/MKT junction. They and their owner were doing the southern loop and the dogs were well behaved when I approached and assisted their human with directions. |
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 | Bugs: |
A couple where I parked and a couple while having lunch on said rocks - none were biting. One tick found crawling on my toe while driving away - I assume it was a stowaway on my boots or gaiters. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
Nothing. |
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 | Comments: |
My Just Say No To Snow Tour made a stop in the remote southwestern Whites. Here are the Cliff Notes from my counter-clockwise loop:
TPT to shelter: trail starts out with blazes (on rocks even!) but they soon all but disappear heading south. Every once in a while you may find an old piece of one if you look hard enough. However I found the path to be mostly recognizable - although there were two spots where I ventured briefly off trail. It seemed I stepped on a couple 'mini stumps' from the brushing done a couple years ago. I used these as morale boosters knowing that I was indeed still on the trail. Lots of nuisance sticks abound - the type that gets in between your feet and latches on to your shoelaces. Then newer looking blazes make regular appearances close to the pond area and onto the shelter. Trail is muddy in spots - increasingly so approaching the ponds - but not that bad.
DHC: Wet/muddy in places but well blazed and easy to follow.
MKT from DHC to northern trailhead: starts on a snomo trail and climbs for a while. This section is well blazed. Once into the woods the blazing all but disappears again. Trail then crosses another snomo trail with hardly any indication of where to pick it up on the other side (exiting between two cairns, head maybe 30 feet left and look for an inconspicuous cairn on top of a large boulder on the right). Once into the woods on the other side blazing is nearly non-existent again until approaching HOL. Like TPT, the foot path is mostly obvious and many nuisance sticks underfoot.
Mount Kineo Road: noticed a couple of small washed out road edges near TH. I'm not even sure of Hubbard Brook Road status but thought I'd mention it anyhow.
Hubbard Brook Road to HBT: one felled limb that covers half the road. Looks like an easy clean up.
HBT: starts out well enough at the 'gate' but soon the trail becomes muddy, wet and even submerged along a stretch of spectacular beaver activity - dams, huts, chomped trees...oh my! Trail is blazed throughout but is especially needed around the beaver colony. Trail is mostly obvious approaching HOL and beyond.
I came here looking for a remote adventure and I certainly got it as I only saw two others the entire day. I also chose this area in part because of the rainy forecast but it didn't even sprinkle until I was about 50 yards from the end (I'm actually disappointed about this). The Three Ponds area is really beautiful and serene. Lots of other features - and evidence of moose - throughout also. Many sections of these trails feel like they're in a Wilderness Area...except they're not. These conditions aren't for everyone but I enjoyed them very much :) |
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 | Name: |
HMJ |
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 | E-Mail: |
trailsntrees(at)gmail(dot)com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2018-05-19 |
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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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