Also on this trip

Trails Used

Guinea Pond Trail, Black Mountain Pond Trail, Algonquin Trail, Road walk

Trail Conditions

Notes

Up Guinea Pond Trail, left on Black Mtn Pond Trail, up and down Algonquin Trail, and a short road walk back to the car. This route is very gradual for the first four miles or so (to Black Mountain Pond). Then it gets your attention by climbing the ledges south of Black Mountain (1000 feet in 0.8 miles). As you climb, the views from the ledges get progressively better. I enjoyed lunch from one of the ledges just below the intersection with Algonquin Trail. From that intersection to Sandwich Dome, Algonquin Trail is a 1.7 mile ridge walk, mostly in the trees with minor ups and downs. Below the intersection with Black Mountain Pond Trail, Algonquin Trail is very steep and scrambly. It makes for a slow descent, but it is a lot of fun. (I learned after the hike that Algonquin is one of the electives on the T25 list.) After the steep bits, Algonquin trail is a more gradual descent to Sandwich Notch Rd. Obviously, most people climb Sandwich Dome from the north. If you are looking for a bigger challenge, I definitely recommend this route. It features a beautiful Black Mountain Pond, varied terrain, and countless views. Despite the reputation for being notoriously wet in the Guinea Pond and Black Mountain Pond areas, take plenty of water. I didn't find any water flowing fast enough to put through a filter.

Parking

Plenty of parking off Sandwich Notch Rd, just north of the Guinea Pond trailhead.

Water Crossings

All crossings are very low.

Wildlife

Almost none.

Trails Used

Chippewa Trail

Trail Conditions

Notes

Surprised by how completely dry everything was after it absolutely stormed last night. Very dry grippy slabs and no mudpits anywhere made for summit zoomies up and down

Parking

Small lot 1/2 full

Water Crossings

N/A

Wildlife

N/A

Trails Used

Road walk, Bushwhack

Trail Conditions

Notes

Walked down road and across bridge (OK for foot traffic), up opposite side to a fork in the road. Decided the tackle Black first, so took right and walked to end of the grassy road (counterclockwise loop for both of these peaks). We entered open woods and took approximately direct line to summit. Crossed and paralleled drainage a bit but mostly direct line. Signed in, and debated on making this 2 separate hikes or taking direct line to NW peak. Taking the direct line to the NW peak was a great decision; we followed multiple well worn herd paths to the COL, then paths and BW up to the SE ridge. BWed across the ridge in open woods to the summit, and found canister with not too much issue since we knew it was in tight stuff; only took 1:20. Took slightly north of west bearing down, but curved around in a more SW direction to cut the corner for the road walk out. Met the road for walk south, turning right over bridge and back up hill to car. There were lots of things to step over, and a few under, with some steepness but all was expected. Great day!!!! On to the next summit.

Parking

Took Coarser Brook Rd off Rt 26. 2.5 miles to grassy road on right which is blocked within 50 yards. Parked off to side in grassy area. Road is blocked because the bridge across Coarser Brook at bottom of hill has several large holes and would be dangerous for any car crossing.

Water Crossings

Rock hoops across streams

Wildlife

Lots, bug nets were helpful, often. Some breeze to rid them but always more coming.

Trails Used

Black Mountain Trail

Trail Conditions

Notes

A nice, cool day to get out for a relatively easy hike. The trail isn't very well marked, but is super easy to follow.

Parking

Some deep ruts with water in them, one is big enough that a low clearance car may have difficulty

Water Crossings

Even with the recent rains, the stream are easy to cross

Wildlife

Swarmed by black flies at the trailhead, but once I got moving and higher up, the cooler temps and wind kept them at bay

Trails Used

Chippewa Trail

Trail Conditions

Notes

Great day for hiking met 4 other hikers on the trail. A bug net can be helpful. Checked out the Lime Kilns that was pretty cool.

Parking

Parked at the Chippewa trail head, plenty of parking.

Water Crossings

No issues with water Crossings

Wildlife

Black flies are up and running. Thanks to the winds the bugs were only a small issue.

Notes

Started from north side. High winds at summit. Visited east and west outlooks and south outlook (former firetower location). Timed for lunch at summit.

Trails Used

Chippewa trail

Trail Conditions

Equipment

Notes

Soloed this hike. Weather was warm, avoided mashed potatoes (wet snow/slush conditions). Hiker used to do this trail yearly or twice yearly.