| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Sandwich Dome, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Sandwich Mountain Trail, Drakes Brook Trail, Smarts Brook Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Thursday, October 23, 2025 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Good parking |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Mud - Significant, Leaves - Significant/Slippery |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
This morning I was unable to cross Drakes Brook due to high and fast water. I spent a lot of time going up the bank of the brook looking to cross. I started on Sandwich Mountain Trail, then tried via Drakes Brook Trail before finally giving up and moving my car down the road to use Smarts Brook Trail, which was fine. Maybe some agile and daring hikes could cross under these conditions but for some of us, quantity and speed of water becomes too risky. Too many rocks were under water. I couldn't find a place to cross barefooted either. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Conditions on Smarts Brook were good. Some downed trees I was able to walk under. They looked old, not newly fallen. One water bar might be having an issue because it seems to be flooding a small section of trail. But I was able to walk through the water in that spot. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
I thought I had a good plan to ascend the Sandwich Mountain Trail today but apparently this region got more rain than I realized because the water crossing right at the beginning of Sandwich Mountain Trail was not feasible for me. Ditto Drakes Trail. It was discouraging to waste my early morning start stuck at the brook. I ended up driving a couple miles down the road and hiking on Smarts Brook Trail, which was good. Lots to see in these woods. Easy yet long trail. I was able to summit Sandwich Dome and I'll go back another time for other trails and summits in this wonderful area. Interesting views from the summit. Glad I had poles because they helped me balance in wet conditions. |
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 | Name: |
Rachel Whelton |
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 | E-Mail: |
rachelwhelton@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2025-10-23 |
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 | Link: |
 https://www.youtube.com/rachelwhelton |
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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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