| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Black Mountain, Sandwich Dome, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Algonquin Trail, bushwhack, Black Mountain Pond Trail, Guinea Pond Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, November 5, 2011 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Very limited parking at Algonquin trailhead. Sandwich Notch Road had its usual challenges. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Wet Trail, Snow - Unpacked Powder, Wet/Slippery Rock |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
No problems at all water crossings; large crossings on Black Mountain Trail had nicely placed boulders proving rock-hoppability -- nicely done! |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Signage of sno-machine trail and Guinea Pond Trail junction was extremely confusing -- about a mile from Sandwich Notch Road. We wandered around that area trying to find our way out since that was our exit from our loop/carspot. On the other hand, there was nice trailwork in-progress on Black Mountain Pond Trail. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Would not recommend Black Mountain Trail for dogs -- large boulders would be tough to negotiate. |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
AWESOME day with forestgnome. We had a completely AWESOME hike climbing up the ledges first just off the bushwhack to the summit of Black Mountain, and then the exposed ledges up the Algonquin Trail. Once we got to approx 3400'-3500', the snow was extremely vexing on up to the summit of Sandwich Dome. We postholed a bit and there were some 1' drifts at times; very tedious but doable. On the descent, we loved the Black Mtn Pond Trail wildness -- WOW! Then, absolutely loved Black Mountain Pond until just south of the pond the trail dumped us into a newly created campground in the "Wilderness." There were no blazes to get out! The area is completely disgusting with freshly chopped-down trees lining the pathways like scree walls. Stumps are everywhere. There are huge stone-lined, dirt-filled tent platforms unlike anything anywhere in the wilderness I've ever seen. Is it possible to get more offensive? Wouldn't *maintaining* the original shelter have been less destructive and intrusive -- you have to see all the stumps/trees cutdown/rock structures for tent "platforms." Who paid for that? I just shake my head....still, an AWESOME day! Bluebird skies! Plus, we saw many moose! Awesome post-hike campfire! :) |
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 | Name: |
Becca Munroe |
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 | E-Mail: |
beccahiker@yahoo.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2011-11-05 |
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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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