| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
none, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Guinea Pond, Black Pond, Algonquin, Sandwich Notch Road |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, May 23, 2026 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Sandwich Notch Road is open and was in reasonably good condition. Paved first half mile or so then dirt rest of way. Some spots are very narrow with blind corners and there were a surprising number of cars on it. Passed about 10 between going up and coming out (there are numerous houses on the road). Take caution at corners. The usual small washed out pot holes and high ridges along the way but generally dry gravel. There was one particular steep spot that had significant washed out ruts, was still fairly soft and was barely the width of a car. At top there is a pretty deep rut cutting across the entire road. I was fine in my Crosstrek going slow but cars with low clearance should be very careful. Road is doable but probably not recommended for low clearance cars.
Trailhead parking is very small. Fits 3-4 cars if carefully positioned. The 4th spot has a large puddle and mud bog (which I got to park in). There are also numerous small parking areas and turnouts along the road every few hundred feet so there are options if full. No fees. No facilties. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
All crossings were pretty easy today. One significant crossing on Black Pond (Beebe River) and several smaller brooks. Big issue with Beebe crossing is it is just small river rocks and stones. Nothing to hop on if water is high so you'd have to ford but it is relatively narrow and flat in several places. There was a fallen tree at the official crossing but it doesn't quite span the whole distance so not sure what use it would be in high water. Alonquin has one good sized brook and numerous small crossings. USGS Pemigewasset River at Plymouth, NH - USGS-01076500 was 1050-1060 cfs during my time out. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Generally good conditions. Most drainages were open enough to function. Algonquin trail had several areas of clumped up leaves obscuring trail tread and blocking some drainages. Few easy step overs along route with minimal obstruction to trail. One minor duck under on Algonquin Trail that was slightly awkward for tall people but no big deal. Despite being mostly in a Wilderness Area there were quite a few faded yellow blazes along all the trails, although most were in places where the trail was obvious. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
No dogs today. |
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 | Bugs: |
There were huge clouds of black flies in places but they were only biting a little bit so all in all it was tolerable unless you stopped for any length of time. Worst spot was right at the trailhead. As soon as I stepped out of my car I was inundated with black flies. Only other place I really remember being bothered was on shore of Black Pond but it wasn't as bad. I did pick up three ticks today, very unusual for me in NH, and one was attached. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
none |
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 | Comments: |
Nice loop. Thought I'd have it to myself with the tough road in and the generally poor weather forecast but every trailhead was full and I ran into about 10 people along the way. Started by easy road walk to Guinea Pond. Guinea Pond is a pretty forgettable mix of power lines, muddy forest road and segments of trail that criss cross the power lines to avoid wet areas. But it doesn't take long. Black Pond Trail is a very picturesque trail with several brook crossings, some wetland clearings and a very pretty river with little waterfalls and flume areas. Pretty easy grades to Black Pond, which is very picturesque and has some shore spots (Note: much of the pond shoreline and camp sites are fenced out for forest revegatation so follow approved routes to shore. There is a sign.) The climb up to ridge is fairly steep and rugged but it has numerous short flat cross overs to break up the climb and is not too intense. 2-3 somewhat tricky scrambles but everything was pretty dry so it wasn't an issue. I went about 1/2 mile toward Sandwich Dome to see if I could get a view North and/or East but turned back on the small knob just to the East because trees grew taller and outlooks stopped. Top of Black Pond Trail and Algonquin Trail area (roughly a mile or so) has a lot of nice rocky outcrops with views. Descended Algonquin. Fairly rugged but reasonable with some steep spots. There is one very difficult scramble just East of Black Mountain in the small notch. Very steep ledge with a chimney like section about 8' tall in middle of it that was basically smooth. You can scramble down the side of it to avoid the vertical part but it is still awkward. AMC guide references a bypass but descending I was with a group of 4 kids who all went down it (2 downclimbed it, 2 bypassed) so I just went that way and didn't really make note of a workaround. Definitely would be an issue in wet conditions. Rest of Algonquin after that point is mostly moderate to easy dirt tread and leaves with far less rocks so it was a quick cruise out. Lot of moose scat in that last mile or so. |
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 | Name: |
DayTrip |
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 | E-Mail: |
bblanchette0709@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2026-05-24 |
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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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