Little Sugarloaf, Goose Pond - Elwell Trail, Goose Pond Trail, Around the Pond Trail, Goose Pond-Elwell Link - 9-2-2023

Hiking Trail Conditions Report
	Peaks	Little Sugarloaf, Goose Pond, NH

	Trails:	Elwell Trail, Goose Pond Trail, Around the Pond Trail, Goose Pond-Elwell Link

	Date of Hike:	Saturday, September 2, 2023

	Parking/Access Road Notes:	Plenty of parking at the trailhead for the Elwell Trail. Four cars in the lot when we started; four in the lot when we left -- room for another 10-11 cars.

	Surface Conditions:	Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Mud - Significant

	Recommended Equipment:

	Water Crossing Notes:	Nothing of note.

	Trail Maintenance Notes:	Elwell Trail has a very large (14-16 inches?), old, rotten, woodpecker-hole-filled, softwood blowdown at the base of the first climb-down, heading north, from Little Sugarloaf. A short herd path has formed to the side of it, but it would be good to remove this before things ice up in the fall. Probably 5-10 minutes' work with an eSaw? Around the Pond Trail is still pretty brushy at the southern end of Goose Pond, mainly softwood saplings -- but after today, and a few clips here and there, just slightly less brushy.

	Dog-Related Notes:

	Bugs:	Mosquitoes aplenty at the trailhead, near the standing water at the edge of the parking area -- dragonflies were having a feast. After that, just some eye flies.

	Lost and Found:


	Comments:	It always strikes us how the initial half-mile section of the Elwell Trail, heading to Little Sugarloaf, is the most heavily used portion of a 10-plus mile trail -- and, as a consequence, the most eroded, muddy, herd-pathed bit of the trail. It's also the portion that might benefit from a bit more work, especially with drainage on the several wet, muddy sections that continue to widen a folks look for a way around that mud.

	Name:	Pancks and Tesco Heaney

	E-Mail:

	Date Submitted:	2023-09-03

	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.