Guinea Pond and Flat Mountain Trails:
New Hampshire
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Description:
These connecting trails follow the bed of the old Beebe River Railroad up to Flat Mountain Pond, a large, remote pool high in the Sandwich Range Wilderness. This is a great trip for advanced mountain bikers; novice/intermediate bikers should expect a challenge. Hikers enjoy a relatively easy trek, as there's little gain in elevation.
Guinea Pond Trail begins at a metal Forest Service gate and climbs a dirt road 0.2 mile to the railroad bed. While the trail keeps to the railbed as best it can, at times you must detour around sections reclaimed by beaver ponds.
Just over a mile in, you'll pass a second metal Forest Service gate. Turn right at the Y-junction onto the well-trodden but unmarked path and ascend. After crossing three wooden bridges, the trail bends right to rejoin the railroad bed.
You'll soon reach the junction of the Mead and Black Mountain Pond trails. Continue straight on the Guinea Pond Trail. Following several wide stream crossings, you'll reach the marked 0.2-mile spur on the left to the pond itself.
The onward trail continues along the railbed to the 2.5-mile mark, where it detours again to avoid water (follow the yellow arrow to the left). This section is winding and rough, traversing large rocks and gnarly roots. The route finally rejoins the corridor after 0.2 mile and offers mostly smooth going to the Flat Mountain Pond Trail junction.
The 4-mile Flat Mountain Pond Trail quickly gains elevation, soon passing the Gleason Trail junction. Watch for a sign on the left that marks the boundary of the Sandwich Range Wilderness; from here up to Flat Mountain Pond, the railbed doubles as that boundary. Note that bike riding is not permitted in the wilderness, so be sure to stay on the trail.
Drawing closer to the trail's end, you'll reach the Great Horseshoe, the sharpest turn on any of New Hampshire's old logging railroads. After navigating boulders, tricky streams, and other obstacles for about 2 miles, turn right at the trail junction and head toward the pond for beautiful views of Flat Mountain and Whiteface Intervale.
A shelter is available for those interested in overnight camping. Otherwise, retrace the Flat Mountain Pond and Guinea Pond trails to the trailhead.
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Parking & Trail Access:
The trailhead is along Sandwich Notch Road, which is closed in winter. Only vehicles with good clearance should attempt this road. From Interstate 93, take Exit 28 to State Route 49 east toward Waterville Valley. After about 4 miles, turn right on Sandwich Notch Road and continue 5 miles until you see parking signs for the Guinea Pond Trail. Park down the dirt road on the right. From the parking area, walk or ride back to the road, turn right, and head downhill; the trailhead is on the left just over the bridge.
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Reviews: [1 trail ratings]
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Addendum to trail review
By katewilcox on November 05, 2009
Directions tell you to take Right at Y. This "Y" is almost non-existent at this point, the left fork now leading into the beaver pond. There is another Y only 10 yds past. Left fork leads to trail, right fork to power lines.

Very cool trail with many options for varying activity levels. Can "out-and-back" to any number of points for an easy beautiful walk or extend to a number of peaks including Mt Israel. Lots of wildflowers in the spring but also many ticks.
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