| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Israel, Sandwich Dome, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Guinea Pond Trail, Mead Trail, Black Mountain Pond Trail, Mary Cary Falls Spur, Algonquin Trail, Sandwich Mountain Trail, road walk |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Tuesday, August 6, 2019 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
No problems finding or parking in small area near Guinea Pond trailhead as described in WMG. Algonquin trailhead is easy to miss coming from the west (route 49 side). As advertised Sandwich Notch road is an adventure, but no problems traveling slowly with a higher clearance vehicle |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Leaves - Significant/Slippery |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
No issues water level very low |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Guinea Pond trail in good shape, on the reroute just follow the most well defined head path, it eventually heads back into the woods to the left. Mead trail could use some love - about half a dozen blowdowns many of which are problematic with defined herd paths around them and tricky to follow in places. I never got off trail but had to stop several times to make sure I was still on it, sparse old blazes especially higher up and a lot of the trail is a leaf filled rocky drainage. Black Mountain Pond and Algonquin trails were in good shape for wilderness trails (multiple blowdowns on both trails) except upper part of Algonquin trail is very brushy in places - look for small cairns on the ledgy areas to stay on trail, overall no major issues staying on trail. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Several difficult scrambles on both upper Black Mountain Pond trail and Algonquin trail, don't bring your dog unless they're comfortable with significant steep pitches and even then they will probably need a boost and/or a lift down in a few places. Also no water above Black Mountain Pond or until very low down on Algonquin trail, make sure to pack plenty of extra especially this time of year |
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 | Bugs: |
Super annoying down low even with high potency deet, breeze kept them at bay on the ridges |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
Nice quiet redlining day - did the loop up to Sandwich Dome CCW direction. Guinea Pond trail and Mead trail are fairy mellow but upper Black Mountain Pond trail and Algonquin trail are pretty gnarly - both have steep and rugged sections that require using your arms to help get up and over ledges and/or to safely descend while scooting down. If doing the loop I would recommend doing it CCW (up Black Mountain Pond and down Algonquin) since the footing on Black Mountain Pond is rougher and slightly steeper, but descending Algonquin is no joke either - and definitely only do these trails when they're completely dry. Saw two moose, one along Guinea Pond trail and another at Black Mountain Pond, always a good day when the number of moose almost equals the total number of people seen (three). |
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 | Name: |
SKS |
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 | E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2019-08-07 |
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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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