Sandwich Dome

Friday, 28 September 1999, Fran Taylor and I hiked the Algonquin Trail to Black Mountain and Sandwich Dome. The Algonquin Trail takes you up some pretty steep sections, including scrambles up almost vertical rock faces, but the reward is the beautiful views you get on the way up.

Fran on the shoulder of Sandwich Dome, looking west, back down at Black Mountain

Wil on the shoulder of Sandwich Dome, looking southwest, showing the foggy valleys

It's best to take your time on the ascent, Fran and I took 3.25 hours to hike the 4.5 miles to the summit. Weather conditions were interesting: as the morning ground fog burned off, the valleys became nice and sunny, but the peaks each kept a cap of cloud. Therefore the rocks were wet, and rather slippery underfoot.

Fran at the Sandwich Dome summit

Wil at the Sandwich Dome summit

For the descent, we chose the Gleason Trail. This is a much newer trail, and although it's steep, there's not much erosion, and it actually makes for a fairly good descent, as long as you go slowly. After 1.8 miles, we turned onto the Flat Mountain Trail. This runs along an old railroad grade, so it's just about the most even and level hiking trail you've ever seen. Really very pleasant!

The Flat Mountain Trail leads to the Guinea Pond Trail, which continues along the railroad grade. There are several stream crossings, including one with a pool big enough to swim in, so of course I got right in. Fran took off his shoes and waded around, but he wasn't about to go further in the cold water.

Fran at pool, looking at frogs

Wil showing off at pool

Wil freezing his butt in pool

There are several marshes and beaver ponds along the Guinea Pond trail. I couldn't quite figure out if one of them was actually Guinea Pond, though. Lots of little frogs kicking around in pools and streams.

The Guinea Pond trail is a total of about 5 miles, I think. It was a long haul, and my knees were complaining enough towards the end that I didn't want to walk the mile along the road to return to the Algonquin trailhead and the car. So Fran kindly walked to the car and drove back to pick me up (thanks Fran!).

Fran at Guinea Pond

Wil at Guinea Pond

Time table:

6:00 leave Boston
8:00 at trailhead
8:15 start hiking
11:30 arrive at Sandwich summit
12:00 start down Gleason Trail
17:00 finish at Guinea Pond trailhead

This page maintained by Wil Howitt
Last updated 1 November 99