| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Sandwich Dome, Mt. Whiteface, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Flat Mountain Pond Trail, Guinea Pond Trail, Black Mountain Pond Trail, Algonquin Trail, Sandwich Mountain Trail, Bennett Street Trail, McCrillis Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Friday, July 18, 2025 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Ample parking at the Whiteface Intervale Rd. trailhead. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Mud - Minor/Avoidable |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Numerous stream crossings on this route. It had rained the previous day, but water levels were not particularly high. All crossings had exposed rocks above water, which I utilized with moderate success. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Many of these trails are in wilderness areas, so blazing is absent or minimal, but trails are still easy to follow in most instances. Guinea Pond Trail heading south from Flat Mountain Pond Trail toward Black Mountain Pond Trail has a section that appears to run directly into a beaver swamp. There used to be partially submerged bog bridges on the right side of the swamp- I saw no signs of these. The intended route now appears to be a semi-bushwhack to the right of the trail, with a beaten path, and a few strategically placed logs that were partially effective at keeping me out of the water. The steep section of the Black Mountain Pond Trail requires attention to watch for switchbacks. Otherwise, the trail corridors themselves were in good shape, aside from scattered stepovers. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Would not recommend on the steeps of the Black Mountain Pond Trail. They would probably enjoy all of the available water! |
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 | Bugs: |
Mosquitoes were ready to go right from the parking lot at 5:00 AM. Repellent generally kept them at bay. Black flies weren't an issue. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
Ambitious but very rewarding hike including Flat Mountain Pond, Black Mountain Pond, Sandwich Dome, and Mt. Whiteface. Didn't see any other people until roughly 23 miles in, near the south summit of Whiteface. The Guinea Pond Trail probably perplexes a lot of people when it seems to run directly into a pond (beaver swamp). Plenty of wet rocks to deal with on the upper Black Mountain Pond Trail, and on various sections of the Flat Mountain Pond Trail as well. Great views down to Black Mountain Pond, from Flat Mountain Pond, and from several areas on the Whiteface ledges. Full details on Unnecessary Climb! |
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 | Name: |
Jason |
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 | E-Mail: |
kurlando7@hotmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2025-07-23 |
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 | Link: |
 https://unnecessaryclimb.wordpress.com/flat-mountain-pond-two-summits/ |
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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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