| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mud Pond, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Tunnel Brook Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Monday, June 19, 2023 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Space for a few wisely-parked vehicles on the side of the road. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Lots! Starting at the Long Pond Road end, there are three rock hops (or depending on the water level, step on submerged stones, or just walk through) before the ponds. The other side of the ponds there were more, but I found them easier. I am more leery of falling and getting hurt (or completely soaked) than I am of getting wet feet. Prema was fine with them. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Excellent job recovering the area after Irene trashed so much of it. Good signage on either end. Thanks! |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Would be a lot of fun for them, not so much fun for their companions picking off the ticks. Slide Brook is the water supply for for the Glencliff House and there is a small reservoir nearby, so please monitor them carefully here. |
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 | Bugs: |
A few skeeters and blackflies. TICKS!!!!!! Beautiful tiger swallowtail butterflies. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
A cigar in the parking area, barely smoked. Yeah, really. |
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 | Comments: |
Keep a change of footwear and socks in your vehicle, you may need them when you return. We had done this from the other end a couple years ago to get to the Benton Trail. Now we needed the rest. Yesterday's weather was predicted to be iffy, so this seemed like a good choice (not trying to beat thunderstorms while above treeline in other places). 5 minutes or so I was faced with the first water crossing. I don't think most people reading this will have trouble, but I have a short stride and was afraid I'd slip off a rock and drench myself, so I took off my boots. The rest of the day I just stepped on slightly submerged rocks and on the way back I just didn't care anymore. It wasn't a cold day and my sneakers and extra socks were awaiting my triumphant return.
Only real climb on this is right after the little reservoir up to the height of land. Reservoir has a nice bench, you can take a break here. The climb is like the green tunnel thru hikers talk about, but when you get to the height of land the woods become very open and sunlit. Then come the ponds. The change in elevation causes a change in the plant life as well. Violets are still blooming and a lot of bunch berries. Views of the surrounding mountains are great; you can see slides on some of them. Trail crosses over to the other side, more open woods and water crossings. There are several intricate cairns in the woods here. Don't know their purpose of significance. Trail gradually descends to the road. A little less than a mile the road brings you to the Benton Trail.
Nice walk for the most part - gentle footing. A few boggy areas with some logs. Would definitely revisit. Out and back was 10.2 miles, managed it well timewise. I now feel a little more confident to do an out and back of that other trail that is slightly longer but difficult to follow in the middle. But as it is further away, I won't be driving home afterward! |
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 | Name: |
Beckie and Prema |
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 | E-Mail: |
beckiejani@yahoo.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2023-06-20 |
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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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