Success Pond Rd. in Winter

[JustJoe]

OK. So I did a quick search of this topic and came up with this conclusion. Success Pond Road is open in winter. I couldn't find out in the threads i found, if it's plowed. So, is it plowed usually? I assume after a storm, it might take a few days. The main thing is the gate. It is open in winter, correct? I have a quite capable 4WD truck with winch and chains. Considering giving Mt. Success a go sometimes this winter.

Thanks

 

[JToll]

I see some winter reports for Mt Success over the years on New England Trail Conditions. (NETC).

 

[Ken MacGray]

My understanding is that it's been getting plowed in recent years. Not sure how quickly that happens after a storm though.

As far as I know it's only gated in spring for mud season.

 

[btzimr]

A few years ago I met a woman on a hike; she and her husband own one of the cabins out by Success Pond. She shared that her husband and another neighbor plow the road at their own time and expense. It is not treated, so studs or chains are a great idea.

 

[B the Hiker]

I've spent a bit of time on Success Pond Rd the last two years, since it makes a nice bikepacking loop with the Success Pond Trail and Lake Umbagog campground. I would suggest you had better have one big truck or a jeep, either equipped with studs or chains, as mentioned above. You will lose cellphone coverage very quickly and I cannot imagine that dirt road being all the great in winter in the best of times.

With so many mountains to hike, it might be best to leave that one until the snows clear and the roads dry.

 

[skiguy]

I've spent a bit of time on Success Pond Rd the last two years, since it makes a nice bikepacking loop with the Success Pond Trail and Lake Umbagog campground. I would suggest you had better have one big truck or a jeep, either equipped with studs or chains, as mentioned above. You will lose cellphone coverage very quickly and I cannot imagine that dirt road being all the great in winter in the best of times.

With so many mountains to hike, it might be best to leave that one until the snows clear and the roads dry.

Success Pond Road can actually be quite drivable and actually sometimes better in the winter. https://trailsnh.com/roads/status/5...lowed all Winter.,is muddy and easily damaged.

 

[sierra]

OK. So I did a quick search of this topic and came up with this conclusion. Success Pond Road is open in winter. I couldn't find out in the threads i found, if it's plowed. So, is it plowed usually? I assume after a storm, it might take a few days. The main thing is the gate. It is open in winter, correct? I have a quite capable 4WD truck with winch and chains. Considering giving Mt. Success a go sometimes this winter.

Thanks

I would love to grab that in the winter. Me and my dog will ride shotgun in your truck if you want company. I have heard it gets plowed, not sure how well or often.

 

[B the Hiker]

Success Pond Road can actually be quite drivable and actually sometimes better in the winter. https://trailsnh.com/roads/status/52/success-pond-road#:~:text=Success Pond Road Log Book,-Dive deeper into&text=CONFIRMED December 11th-,Expected to stays open and plowed all Winter.,is muddy and easily damaged.

I have read that post multiple times now, and I have yet to see where it says the road is either drivable or better in winter than when it is snow free. All that it says is that it is plowed. It's still a hilly dirt road and a cellphone dead zone.

To each their own, but I still would caution anyone that the trailhead is 6.2 miles down that road (according to the website), and I personally still would not want to take anything but a truck or jeep with snow tires or chains, but this isn't worth getting into a fight over. People can make up their own minds.

 

[sierra]

I recently finished a hike and casually backed out of the small lot and next thing I knew I was in a ditch. There was no way I was driving out. I checked my cell, no signal. I put my boots back on, shouldered my pack and told my dog we were not done hiking. He was not pleased, but off we went to either find a truck to pull us out or a cell signal. Being in remote places comes with extra precautions and when you let your guard down, next thing you know you need a new plan.

 

[skiguy]

I have read that post multiple times now, and I have yet to see where it says the road is either drivable or better in winter than when it is snow free. All that it says is that it is plowed. It's still a hilly dirt road and a cellphone dead zone.

To each their own, but I still would caution anyone that the trailhead is 6.2 miles down that road (according to the website), and I personally still would not want to take anything but a truck or jeep with snow tires or chains, but this isn't worth getting into a fight over. People can make up their own minds.

You'll only know if you have or will be going there. Real life experience vs conjecture based upon a bicycle ride in the middle of the Summer is a data set to have a more complete extrapolation of what conditions can be like on that road in Winter. Yes, I would recommend 4-wheel drive and potentially chains but not necessarily all the time. There are and can be active logging operations in that area therefore the plowing and overall condition can be quite good. Also, there are people who have camps up in that area who do plowing and travel the road on a frequent basis. Yes, some real-life recon may be necessary and if you are intending to pass and cannot a backup plan B for the day would be prudent. Also "Winter" comes in many forms. For instance, we now have a low snowpack which might actually translate to good conditions rather than going after a two foot snowstorm. When I say better, I am saying it can be a dry, dusty, rutted road and slow going in The Summer. Whereas in the Winter under some situations can lead to well plowed and packed down surfaces which can actually be a smoother ride. Give it a try sometime. You might surprise yourself and land up having a really kool hike. Yes it is not worth getting into a fight over if you disagree because it is a discussion where other poster's opinions are given without being called names.

 

[Grey J]

I recently finished a hike and casually backed out of the small lot and next thing I knew I was in a ditch. There was no way I was driving out. I checked my cell, no signal. I put my boots back on, shouldered my pack and told my dog we were not done hiking. He was not pleased, but off we went to either find a truck to pull us out or a cell signal. Being in remote places comes with extra precautions and when you let your guard down, next thing you know you need a new plan.

That's so true. You must expect the unexpected. US Grant once said something to the effect of, "It's always good to have a battle plan, as long you realize that once the battle starts, you need to be willing to toss your plan out the window in 5 minutes and make a new plan." His failure to get rattled when the fighting became chaotic is one of the traits that made him a good leader.

 

[skiguy]

That's so true. You must expect the unexpected. US Grant once said something to the effect of, "It's always good to have a battle plan, as long you realize that once the battle starts, you need to be willing to toss your plan out the window in 5 minutes and make a new plan." His failure to get rattled when the fighting became chaotic is one of the traits that made him a good leader.

Grant rode horses but in the case of Success Pond Road in Winter travel with a group and with more than one vehicle could be prudent for some. I've always carried a pair of skis as a back up in my vehicle.

 

[maineguy]

I think it is kind of crazy that lack of cell phone service is now a consideration of where we go hiking or drive. What on earth did we do before cell phones? (rhetorical question). Out here, I don't think I have had cell phone coverage in any of the areas I hiked, same with many of the roads (some of which were dirt).

 

[skiguy]

I think it is kind of crazy that lack of cell phone service is now a consideration of where we go hiking or drive. What on earth did we do before cell phones? (rhetorical question). Out here, I don't think I have had cell phone coverage in any of the areas I hiked, same with many of the roads (some of which were dirt).

I agree. My first Winter Traverse of "The Hoosacs" in the early 80's we were in there to disconnect. I'll have to try my 2meter HT there sometime. The repeater on the Rock Pile has a good chance.

 

[sierra]

I think it is kind of crazy that lack of cell phone service is now a consideration of where we go hiking or drive. What on earth did we do before cell phones? (rhetorical question). Out here, I don't think I have had cell phone coverage in any of the areas I hiked, same with many of the roads (some of which were dirt).

I never said it was a consideration; I go out of cell range on many hikes.

 

[maineguy]

I never said it was a consideration; I go out of cell range on many hikes.

I wasn't referring to any of your posts. I was prompted to reply to this earlier post:

"It's still a hilly dirt road and a cellphone dead zone"