Downes Brook Trail
Near Hedgehog Mountain · New Hampshire
Downes Brook Trail is a trail in the Sandwich Range and Waterville Valley, climbing about 2,200 ft from Downes Brook Trailhead to the Kate Sleeper Trail junction.
Map length
4.9 mi
Climb from the low end
2,207 ft
Book time up / down (from map miles)
3 h 32 min / 2 h 27 min
High point
3,446 ft
Above treeline
None
Steepest ¼ mile
1,193 ft/mi
Stream crossings
9
Low point
1,251 ft
Measured on the map. The AMC guide and Forest Service figures usually run 5 to 15% longer.
Downes Brook Trail
Mile by mile (map miles)
From Downes Brook Trailhead (the lower end) to Kate Sleeper Trail junction.
- 0.0Downes Brook Trailhead
- 0.2Junction with Potash Mountain Trail
- 0.7Crosses Downs Brook
- 0.8Crosses Downs Brook
- 1.0Crosses Downs Brook
- 1.1Crosses Downs Brook
- 1.2Crosses Downs Brook
- 2.3Crosses Downs Brook
- 2.5Crosses Downs Brook
- 3.0Crosses Downs Brook
- 3.1Crosses Downs Brook
- 4.9Junction with Kate Sleeper Trail
Distances and book times (map miles)
To Potash Mountain Trail junction
0.23 mi (total 0.23) · ↑32 ↓6 ft · 8 min / 7 min
To Kate Sleeper Trail junction
4.65 mi (total 4.88) · ↑2,174 ↓7 ft · 3 h 25 min / 2 h 20 min
| From | To | Map miles | Total | Climb ↑ / ↓ | Time ↑ / ↓ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Downes Brook Trailhead | Potash Mountain Trail junction | 0.23 | 0.23 | 32 / 6 ft | 8 min / 7 min |
| Potash Mountain Trail junction | Kate Sleeper Trail junction | 4.65 | 4.88 | 2,174 / 7 ft | 3 h 25 min / 2 h 20 min |
↑ walking from Downes Brook Trailhead; ↓ the other way. Book time: 2 mph over the map miles plus 30 minutes per 1,000 ft of climbing.
Trailheads and parking
Downes Brook Trailhead
Parking fee · About 20 spaces
Weekends (all seasons): Had space in the one report.
Weekdays (all seasons): Had space in both reports.
Latest report, Sun, May 10: Plenty of room.
Connecting trails
Packing for fall? The fall gear guide has the full list.
Trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Elevation: USGS 3DEP. Distances are measured from the map and can differ from signs and guidebooks. Conditions change: check before you go.