| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
None, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Guinea Pond Trail, Black Mountain Pond Trail, Algonquin Trail, road walk |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, September 27, 2025 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Room for quite a few cars in the lot off Sandwich Notch Rd across and up the road from the Guinea Pond Trailhead |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
no issues though the rock-hop at the start of the Black Mountain Trail has a large tree across the stepping stones. I did not take the highwater bypass off the Guinea Pond Trail - I really don't like that bypass - you miss a lot of good scenery and the snowmo bridge and there are a lot of PUDs on it. Much prefer the usual route. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
nothing specific though on the Algonquin Trail south of the Black Mountain Pond Trail junction, it is very easy to lose the trail. There are cairns but they aren't always visible until you are right on them. Thankfully, I had a tracker app because I did lose the trail for a bit. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
not a lot of water so I dunno |
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 | Bugs: |
thankfully none |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
Terrific morning. Joggged the flats. Black Mountain Pond was gorgeous but the many revegetation signs were kinda crazy - nothing like a wilderness filled with cordoned off areas with hanging signs saying revetation to give that wilderness feel... I mean, I get it, but, they took out the shelter and where are you supposed to camp??? Hadn't been up Black Pond Trail above the pond in a good many years - still as tough as I remember - in the "cave" section, I eventually figured I just need to sit on the wet moss and shimmy up the rock. Terrific views from so many places. Foliage into the Sandwich Range Wilderness looked to be just about peak. I went about a half-mile above the Black Mountain Pond Trail jct on the Algonquin trail then turned back - not enough time to do Sandwich Dome. I had forgotten how tough the upper section of the Algonquin Trail is - so many steep places I just threw my poles down and let myself down using my hands. Once back to the road, I jogged what I could, but was kind of out of energy. Note, there is a sand pit used for shooting practice not far from the parking area - a mountain biker warned me of shots as I went along Sandwich Notch Rd but then I just realized it's a shooting pit. Only saw 3 or so people in the heart of the wilderness but quite a few people along the road. Sandwich Notch Rd wasn't bad - I also drove up to Kiah Pond (which is nearby) which was kind of rough but fun to visit. |
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 | Name: |
Becca Munroe |
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 | E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2025-09-27 |
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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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