| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Kineo, NH |
|
 | Trails: |
Three Ponds Trail, Donkey Hill Cutoff, Mt. Kineo Trail, Hubbard Brook Road, Hubbard Brook Trail |
|
 | Date of Hike: |
Monday, April 4, 2022 |
|
 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
I parked on FR 211 -- the road was muddy and blocked by a snowbank. Several cars could fit before blocking the driveway to house. |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Ice - Black, Wet Trail, Ice - Breakable Crust, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Significant, Snow - Spring Snow, Snow/Ice - Postholes, Slush, Snow/Ice - Small Patches |
|
 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes, Light Traction |
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
There's water everywhere, but most brooks can be easily crossed, though your feet will get wet. The only difficult crossing right now is comes near the junction of Three Ponds and Donkey Hill Cutoff. There you can must walk across unstable downed trees; you'll probably already be wet so it won't matter much. |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Nothing significant on Three Ponds Trail; a few step-overs on Mt. Kineo Trail. Hubbard Brook Trail needs some maintenance toward the north end. |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
|
|
 | Bugs: |
Saw some flying things. |
|
 | Lost and Found: |
|
|
|
|
|
 | Comments: |
I took Three Ponds from the north and had no real issue until the beaver-town crossing (above). The trail was a mix of rotting snow, muddy leaves, and occasional standing/running water. There were occasional patches of deep snow where I postholed. The trail is usually easy enough to follow. As you near Foxglove Pond you'll hit marshes and your feet will get wet if they're not already. The approach to the shelter after the beaver work is still mostly solid ice. Donkey Hill was a mix of snow and marshes. Kineo Trail was in good condition until height of land, where soft and deep snow meant postholing and there were a few significant blowdowns. I don't think snowshoes would have been worth it until the road walk on Hubbard Forest Road (1.4 mi) where it was slow going the whole way because of the unpacked snow. Hubbard Brook Trail was well worth it to see the beaver activity and I had no real problems following it. There are some big blowdowns at the north end.
Despite seeing dozens of moose scat on Three Pond Trails, I did not see a single moose.
I imagine this loop would be really unpleasant in humid, buggy weather and I'd come away with one million ticks on me, so I'm glad I did it now. Except for at the shelter, I saw no people. |
|
 | Name: |
DHA |
|
 | E-Mail: |
dhabosso@gmail.com |
|
| Date Submitted: |
2022-04-04 |
|
 | 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. |
|
