| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Whiteface, East Sleeper, West Sleeper, South Tripyramid, Middle Tripyramid, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Downes Brook Trail, Kate Sleeper Trail, Mt. Tripyramid Trail, Sabbaday Brook Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Thursday, July 23, 2026 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Parked at the Downes Brook trailhead. Although Downes Brook Trail is not very popular, it shares a parking lot with Hedgehog and Potash. I'm sure the lot is busy on a weekend. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Downes Brook Trail crosses the brook at least 10 times. Sabbaday Brook Trail crosses its namesake at least 4 times. These crossings can be difficult in spring or after a heavy rain. All crossings were easy on my hike. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
All the trails on this route are in good shape. There was large blowdown on Downes Brook Trail. (I think it was between 2 and 3 miles from the trailhead.) This blowdown is forcing hikers off trail. Since most of the route is in the Sandwich Range Wilderness, there are step-overs here and there. Those are fine according to wilderness rules. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
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 | Bugs: |
Almost none. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
My route was up Downes Brook Trail and over to Mt. Whiteface, then over the Sleepers and two of the Tripyramids. From there, I went down Sabbaday Brook Trail.
That's roughly 15 miles. I saw only two other hikers in the first 9 miles. Kate Sleeper Trail, in particular, feels very remote. I met lots of hikers doing the Tripyramid loop. Then nobody for most of Sabbaday Brook Trail. Of course, there were tons of people enjoying Sabbaday Falls near the end of my hike.
There aren't a lot of views on this hike. Probably the best view is looking at Sandwich Dome, Jennings, Welch and Dickey from the South Tri slide. On the other hand, this is a very rugged part of the Sandwich Range. Downes and Sabbaday brooks drain some very steep valleys. I particularly enjoyed the company of Downes Brook on the ascent. Even if you only get glimpses of the landscape here and there, you feel it in your bones. It's a very rewarding hike. |
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 | Name: |
Duct Tape |
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 | E-Mail: |
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 | Date Submitted: |
2026-07-24 |
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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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