Three Ponds, Mt. Kineo and Hubbard Brook Loop?

[Mohamed Ellozy]

I am looking at my redlining map and see big gaps in the area between Stinson Lake and Rt 118. From the map a loop, starting on Rt 118, over Three Ponds Trail, Donkey Hill Cutoff, Mt Kineo Trail, road walk and finally Hubard Brook Trail looks interesting. The WMG suggests that many of these trails are poorly maintained, and I remember that, many years ago, on a trip to Three Ponds from the Stinson Lake area there was much flooding near the ponds due to beaver activity.

Has anyone explored these trails lately? Is the loop doable without waders?

Years ago Peter Miller was saying that Mt Carr was much nicer done from Rt 25/118 than from the Stinson Lake area. Again, has anyone done this recently?

Thanks!

 

[RoySwkr]

Recently, no

When I climbed Carr Mtn from the W many years ago, there was a logging road up to a log yard at the Forest Boundary and an old woods road above that. More recently (looking for LearJet if that tells you how recently) the good road ended in the yard of a summer cottage, and you followed mowed paths through their yard to gain the trail above, with no signs or trail markings; fortunately the renters were friendly and although they had never heard of the trail they allowed us to park in their yard. Their is also a side path to Waternomee Falls that comes and goes from the guidebook.

 

[David Metsky]

I did the Three Ponds/Mt Kineo loop last year and had no trouble following the trail. The junction for the Mt Carr trail was unmarked at the time, that may indicate the condition of that trail. Both the Three Ponds and Mt Kineo trails looked pretty solid from the trail junctions, but I have no idea how there were beyond that.

Three Ponds Loop

-dave-

 

[Davehiker]

Mohamed,
You've helped so many people, it is an honor to post a few words you might find of interest.

Last week I hiked from the area of the Moose Hillock campground off Rte 118 in Warren on the old, relocated Three Ponds Trail east to the present Three Ponds Trail and the Three Ponds Shelter. This old trail is mostly logging roads on its west end, deteriorating into a snowmobile trail that is used mostly by moose in the summer. I reached the Three Ponds Trail a little south of the height of land near Whitcher Hill. From this point, I went south on the Three Ponds Trail past Foxglove Pond, and the northern of the Three Ponds. In this area, the trail is also apparently a snowmobile route, with lots of moose tracks, but little evidence of hikers. Blow-downs have been removed from the trail, but the trail hasn't been brushed out much (except by moose!) Approaching the middle pond, the trail turns left (east) off the snowmobile trail. This turn would be easy to miss. The trail here is marked with orange flagging, and is obscured by growing brush. This section leads to the water's edge at the north end of the middle pond. Turning left, the trail passes a campsite overlooking the pond, and comes to the edge of an old beaver pond at the edge of the pond. The trail is marked with yellow flagging here, and crosses the top of the beaver dam. At the western end of the beaver dam is an old, painted sign, pointing north to Rte. 118 (4.5 mi.) and south to the Three Ponds Shelter (0.3mi.) and the Donkey Cutoff Trail (no mileage.)

At the East end of the beaver dam, the trail meets a more heavily used trail going north and south. Going south following the shoreline, the trail passes the Three Ponds Shelter shortly (uphill, to the east) and heads south from the pond. Going north from the east end of the beaver dam, the trail seems to head north. I was perplexed here, as I supposed the Donkey Cutoff would be marked, and would trend east. I was out of time, or I would have followed this further.

It is possible that I have misinterpreted the trails here, due to the lack of good markings, and that further exploration will reveal something else, I suppose. I can give good directions to the old trail I used if anyone's interested, and will look forward to any other information anyone has on this area.

 

[bubba]

New blood speaks up!

Davehiker: looks like a welcome is at hand. Your knowledge, friendly acknowledgement of Mo's helpful style and the sharing of information is great to see! Your continued contributions will make the board even stronger.

 

[dug]

I have done the loop both clockwise and counter clockwise, and twice on skis. On foot, going counter clockwise, we did miss the turn that brings the loop back to near the parking lot. We ended up following an old road which brought us a mile up the road from the lot. However, we passed numerous falls near the entrance that were very nice.

I would recommend a clockwise route just to ensure you don't miss that turn.

I did Mt. Carr about 8 years ago, and this too while a bit overgrown was a nice hike in which I saw nobody all day.

 

[Davehiker]

Mohamed,
It seems like the lack of responses indicates that the trails on your proposed loop are indeed sparsely traveled. If you do hike these trails, would you please post a report? I hope to explore this area more in the future, and I find little-traveled trails attractive.

Thanks, Dave