| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Sandwich Dome, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Drakes Brook Trail, Sandwich Mountain Trail, Smarts Brook Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Friday, July 13, 2018 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Two cars, one at Smarts Brook, one at Drakes Brook. Only 3-4 cars at each, including ours. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Mud - Significant |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
All rock hop-able. One on Smarts Brook was part of a washout so had to scale the opposite bank to get back to the trail. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Drakes Brook and Mt. Sandwich clean. Smarts Brook has considerable number of blowdowns and leaners on the upper 2-3 miles of trail. So many, we lost count! Fortunately, almost all were step or climb overs. 2-3 we had to scoot under. One big one we had to circle around using a path broken in by previous hikers. More than a few muddy areas: not sure if water boards are possible in wilderness although Drakes Brook had some. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
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 | Bugs: |
None in lots or while ascending. Started getting flies and black flies on the way down but not significant enough to stop to put on bug stuff. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
Ascended using Drakes Brook and Sandwich Mountain. Trails both in good shape. Once we started up, it was pretty steady although varied from slight up to short steep sections, back and forth until the summit. Nice temps plus a breeze. Found jar on summit so left a token and a note. Headed back down Mt. Sandwich to Smarts Brook. Weren't sure what to expect...turned into a trail with multiple personalities. Lots of blowdowns across and above the trail for the first half of our descent. Trail pretty well worn; you could see the treadway all the way down, even where there were blowdowns. There was one very rocky and overgrown section where we thought we'd lost the trail but just stay straight and you pick it up again. Some steep sections near the top, easy to descend as amazingly free of roots and rocks! Numerous mud pits that can be avoided and a number of easy brook crossings. About halfway down, the trail pretty much levels out, with occasional short steep descents, and the trail is basically dirt with no rocks or roots the rest of the way. After crossing two grassy areas and passing a beaver pond, we passed the junction with Yellow Jacket. From then on the trail is wide, level, mostly flat. At Tri-Town the trail turns left and heads moderately down about 1/4 of mile to the parking lot. Long, pretty tiring descent! So glad the weather has cooled down! |
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 | Name: |
Lady B and Italian |
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 | E-Mail: |
Italian10_22@yahoo.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2018-07-13 |
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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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