redliner
New member
Trail Conditions: We traversed from north (junction with Kinsman Ridge Trail) to south (trailhead off of 112). It had rained a few days previous to the hike so areas that may normally have been dry were in various degrees of wet.
The upper portion, especially from Gordon Pond south for a mile or so, is bog heaven (or hell depending on how you view such things). My wife and I try to responsible hikers and generally walk through wet areas rather than on the edges so as not to make matters worse. With a lot of the bogs in this upper section, being responsible isn't a viable option they're just too deep. We're talking over the top of a mid-top hiker and then some deep. Bog bridges are called for but with other priorities for funding who knows if, or when, they will be installed.
Once past the upper area mud was still encountered in a decreasing frequency as we hiked south. The areas we did come across were easily navigated and nowhere near the boot losing threat of their northern brethren.
All of the stream crossings were easily navigated.
There was one blowdown of note. It's located between Gordon Pond and the junction with the KRT. It has been trimmed and requires a little straddling action to get over it.
The lower couple of miles as we headed south were smooth, pretty much dry, sailing. There was one stretch of a couple hundred yards or so reminiscent of the Tuckerman Ravine Trail in that water had scoured the gravel leaving mostly larger rocks. Not the easiest surface to walk on.
Special Equipment Required: None.
Comments: Gordon Pond is a wonderful location to visit having several places to camp and an established fire ring set back a few feet from the shore behind some vegetation. We had the place to ourselves and really enjoyed its tranquility and quiet. The falls were a mix of water flowing over flat ledge, small cascades and several pretty good sized drops. All in all an interesting trail.
The upper portion, especially from Gordon Pond south for a mile or so, is bog heaven (or hell depending on how you view such things). My wife and I try to responsible hikers and generally walk through wet areas rather than on the edges so as not to make matters worse. With a lot of the bogs in this upper section, being responsible isn't a viable option they're just too deep. We're talking over the top of a mid-top hiker and then some deep. Bog bridges are called for but with other priorities for funding who knows if, or when, they will be installed.
Once past the upper area mud was still encountered in a decreasing frequency as we hiked south. The areas we did come across were easily navigated and nowhere near the boot losing threat of their northern brethren.
All of the stream crossings were easily navigated.
There was one blowdown of note. It's located between Gordon Pond and the junction with the KRT. It has been trimmed and requires a little straddling action to get over it.
The lower couple of miles as we headed south were smooth, pretty much dry, sailing. There was one stretch of a couple hundred yards or so reminiscent of the Tuckerman Ravine Trail in that water had scoured the gravel leaving mostly larger rocks. Not the easiest surface to walk on.
Special Equipment Required: None.
Comments: Gordon Pond is a wonderful location to visit having several places to camp and an established fire ring set back a few feet from the shore behind some vegetation. We had the place to ourselves and really enjoyed its tranquility and quiet. The falls were a mix of water flowing over flat ledge, small cascades and several pretty good sized drops. All in all an interesting trail.
