Black Mountain Pond, Mary Cary Falls, Guinea Pond, Kiah Pond, Lower Hall Pond, Middle Hall Pond, Upper Hall Pond, Atwood Pond - Sandwich Notch Road, Algonquin Trail, herd paths, bushwhacks, Black Mountain Pond Trail, Mary Cary Falls Spur, Guinea Pond Trail, Guinea Pond Spur, FR 418, FR 400, FR 417, FR 422 - 4-11-2021

Hiking Trail Conditions Report
	Peaks	Black Mountain Pond, Mary Cary Falls, Guinea Pond, Kiah Pond, Lower Hall Pond, Middle Hall Pond, Upper Hall Pond, Atwood Pond, NH

	Trails:	Sandwich Notch Road, Algonquin Trail, herd paths, bushwhacks, Black Mountain Pond Trail, Mary Cary Falls Spur, Guinea Pond Trail, Guinea Pond Spur, FR 418, FR 400, FR 417, FR 422

	Date of Hike:	Sunday, April 11, 2021

	Parking/Access Road Notes:	Sandwich Notch Road is currently closed with concrete barriers; I parked at the pullout just before the barriers (Thornton side).

	Surface Conditions:	Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable

	Recommended Equipment:

	Water Crossing Notes:

	Trail Maintenance Notes:

	Dog-Related Notes:

	Bugs:

	Lost and Found:


	Comments:	Took a mellow 18-mile tour of a few Sandwich backcountry ponds. Aside from some friendly folks I met at the start of Sandwich Notch Road, I didnâ€™t see a single person all day, mostly owing to the fact that the Notch road is currently closed. In my opinion, this is the best time of year to hike along the road, during the short window when itâ€™s closed to vehicles and the snow is gone. Algonquin Trail was less wet and muddy than I expected, as was the herd path that leads up to Black Mountain Pond. The Black Mountain Pond Trail had quite a few large blowdowns, and was mostly dry as well; Guinea Pond spur was very wet and required some light wading. I took the High Water Detour up across the power line and then did a short bushwhack across to FR 418, which led to Kiah Pond; I then headed over to Lower Hall Pond and worked my way north, using a combination of herd paths and bushwhacks. Middle Hall Pond is a real gem! Noted a car-sized block of ice on a cliff above the perimeter trail.. this one should be breaking off soon. All trails and paths were snow-free, and all of the ponds were ice-free except for Middle Hall, which is still partially frozen.

	Name:	timbercamp

	E-Mail:

	Date Submitted:	2021-04-11

	Link:	https://
		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.