| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Kineo, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Three Ponds Trail, Donkey Hill Cutoff, Mt. Kineo Trail, bushwhack, Hubbard Brook Trail, roadwalk |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Wednesday, May 11, 2016 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Only car in the small area just off of Rt. 118 and at Three Ponds trail head. |
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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: |
Used several Beaver Dams as bridges. All other crossings were rock hopped. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Ha, Ha! The upper portion of Three Ponds Trail seems to be abandoned, only saw two faint yellow blazes for 4.7 miles. Hubbard Brook Trail is also in sad shape although blazes were present but very faint. (See comments section). |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Fine for dogs, plenty of water along the way. |
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 | Bugs: |
Not too bad today, but it was slightly breezy and about 3-4 days before the real hatch of the State bug (Black Fly-Simulium trifasciatum). Ticks were plentiful as I found one at my hairline as we were leaving the parking area and another on my leg when I got home, luckily neither had yet burrowed into my skin. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
Started on Three Ponds Tr./snowmobile tr of easy walking until actual trail begins. Found our first blaze early on and not another until nearing Donkey Hill Cutoff. Trail is good footing but easily lost if not paying attention and it will get more difficult as the hobble bush leafs out for the summer. As you approach the 1st of the Tree Ponds it is easy to miss the left turn toward the Beaver Dam nearing DHC and TPT junction. Inclination is to continue straight toward the pond. Only slight marshy sections on the TPT and these were easily avoidable with one exception near Foxglove Pond. DHC and Mt Kineo trail were easy to follow, the Bush whack to Kineo was straightforward and dry. Encountered several blow downs on the road between Mt Kineo Trail and the start of Hubbard Brook Tr. which will have to be removed for vehicle traffic to use the roads. Hubbard Brook Tr was a beaver heaven, from the junction to the height of land the trail is literally under water in at least 3 areas of new beaver activity, luckily the blazes have not worn completely off on this section and could be followed if you are alert. It wouldn't surprise me that this trail will eventually be abandoned as it seems not to be used too frequently and the beavers are reclaiming their small part of the forest. |
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 | Name: |
FranM |
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 | E-Mail: |
maineri@metrocast.net |
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| Date Submitted: |
2016-05-13 |
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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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