Trails Used

Wentworth Trail

Trail Conditions

Notes

It's fall, so lots of expected leaves, acorns and sometimes subtle challenges in finding the trail because of it. The trail is quintessential NE rock & roots with a handful of flat sections, but the latter is few and far between on this trail. There is one fairly steep section of ledge (marked with pink flags) that was wet and mostly glazed over with ice that folks have created a herd path up & around to avoid. Small puddles with beautiful ice patterns forming and a dusting of snow both just before the summit. It is, of course, past peak, but views of Stinson, Moosilauke, Chocorua and N Tripyramid were visible. It was a sunny and beautiful day to take in those mountain views, but also lakes Squam and Winnipesaukee from the first viewpoint I spent time at on the way down, although it has become somewhat obstructed now. Overall, a nice hike. 26/52

Parking

Ample parking at Mead Base Conservation Center. Water spigot (working) at trailhead.

Water Crossings

None.

Wildlife

None.

Trails Used

Guinea Pond Trail, Mead Trail

Trail Conditions

Notes

The foliage is just getting beyond peak color. Met the LRCT Americorps folks doing trail maintenance on Guinea Pond trail. They were putting in some new trail bridges. The early part of the day was off and on sunny, cloudy and lightly rainy. Got to take in the summit view and the north and south east views. The north and east view are a slight jaunt behind the summit. The weather on Mt. Israel summit was clear and a little windy. Looked like Sandwich Dome and the Tripyramids were in the clouds till mid afternoon (probably raining too). Paugus and Chocorua were in clear skies.

Parking

Parked near the Guinea Pond Trail head at the intersection of Beebe Road and Sandwich Notch Road.

Water Crossings

No issues even on the old part of Guinea trail that goes strait through the Marshes.

Wildlife

No bugs

Trails Used

Flat Mountain Pond Trail, Guinea Pond Trail, Guinea Pond Spur, Mead Trail

Trail Conditions

Notes

This was an out-and-back route -- the long way to Mt. Israel -- with a short side trip to Guinea Pond. I measured 10.8 miles with only 1700 feet of elevation gain. The 2.4 mile stretch of Guinea Pond Trail is almost flat (looks like an old railroad bed). Mt. Israel has the finest view of the Sandwich Range. You can see all the peaks from Sandwich Dome to Mt. Chocorua. When you get to the summit, be sure to follow the herd path slightly downhill to the eastern ledges. That's where the unobstructed views are. I missed the Guinea Pond Spur on the way to Mt. Israel, so I visited Guinea Pond on the way back. Don't be deterred by the conditions on the spur. The view of Sandwich Dome from Guinea Pond is worth the trip.

Parking

Parked in the big lot at the end of Bennett St.

Water Crossings

The brooks are low, but beaver activity makes it a challenge to stay dry on Guinea Pond Trail and Guinea Pond Spur. The spur was completely under water at about the halfway point. I managed to cross by following a herd path just west of the trail.

Wildlife

None

Trails Used

Bearcamp River Trail, Wentworth Trail

Trail Conditions

Notes

Terrific morning - amazing views and beautiful woods, as always.

Parking

room for maybe half a dozen cars in lot off Sandwich Notch Road if you park carefully -not many cars in lot

Water Crossings

no issues - no major crossings of note

Wildlife

none - yay!!!

Trails Used

Wentworth Trail

Trail Conditions

Notes

Trails were dry with some damp areas from the rain overnight. Ledges in the shade were wet. Great views at the summit but better views just beyond the summit of thw while Sandwich Range. Partly cloudy with temps in the 70s and a light wind

Parking

Large parking area at Mead Base

Water Crossings

Dry

Wildlife

A few but not bad. Good breeze on the summit

Trails Used

Wentworth

Trail Conditions

Notes

Another nice outing with the OTHH, ten of us to start. One did a face plant on an area with accumulated leaves from the fall, mashing his forehead into soft dirt. We cleaned up the face, applied a bandage, and he elected to descend. No other damage done, we learned later. It may well have been the abundance of leaves at that point that caused the fall. As the hiking season goes on, foot traffic and weather will grind up the leaves, but for now we must be mindful of them. At the top, we mostly skipped the view ledges just out of the woods, often mistaken as the summit. Another 10 easy minutes further on brought us to the real summit (with cairn). After a brief pause there, we continued another 100 yards or so to a slightly lower open ledge view, this one with a nicer view of Chocorua to the east along with all the other Paugus and Sandwich range peaks.

Parking

There were quite a few cars at Mead Base on arrival, fewer on return.

Water Crossings

The only one that might be called a "crossing" is hardly more than a drainage stream, easily passed by rock hops.

Wildlife

Black flies were flitting about, being a nuisance, but not biting yet. As the morning went on, the breez was more noticeable and kept them off us.

Trail Conditions

Notes

Much steeper than expected. So many switchbacks. Very little snow left on trail near summit. Part of 52-peak challenge (#11 of 52).

Trails Used

Wentworth Trail

Trail Conditions

Notes

Lots of friendly people and pups. Wind was howling. Mud was minimal. Ice was mostly avoidable. Bug free. Hike #9 of 52.

Wildlife

Lots of friendly pups