| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
East Sleeper, West Sleeper, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Downes Brook Trail, Kate Sleeper Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Sunday, June 14, 2026 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
All crossings of Downes Brook were (barely) rock hoppable. A few folks we ran into were not as confident in their skills in that regard and forded the brook at ankle depth. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
One major issue that actually caused us to inadvertently cross the brook, bushwhack up the wrong side, and then have to cross back over finding no trail. At roughly 2.5 miles, the trail abruptly ends at a major branch of the brook and a washout next to the main brook. Surmising that this full-on river can't be the trail, we crossed at what looked like a crossing. Only coming back the next day did we realize our error; there is a dam caused by some flooding at some point last winter or this spring that has forced a good portion of Downes Brook onto the trail, completely obscuring it. We were able to bushwhack along the side with a bit of difficulty.
So if you come to a section where you say, surely this trail can't be up this river. It is. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
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 | Bugs: |
Black Flies were horrendous at the camp sites near Kate Sleeper. Roaming bands of 50 or so bothered us every second out of our tents. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
Nice overnight doing a few bird survey routes for the Vermont Center for Ecostudies. Sadly, bird counts continue to dwindle thanks to man-made climate change...but a NSWO at the summit of West Sleeper was a nice surprise. |
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 | Name: |
Hot Rod Jimmy |
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 | E-Mail: |
hotrodjimmy1810@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2026-06-15 |
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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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