| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Lord Hill, Pine Hill, ME |
|
 | Trails: |
Horseshoe Pond Trail, Conant Trail, Mine Loop Trail, Mine Loop Connector |
|
 | Date of Hike: |
Wednesday, August 19, 2015 |
|
 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
The section of ME 113 between the NH border (just past the turn at Green Hill Road) and the junction of 113B from Center Chatham, has been repaved. The nightmare is over! Deer Hill Road in good shape overall, a bit washboarded in spots, pullout for 3-4 vehicles at Horseshoe Pond Trail. |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock |
|
 | Recommended Equipment: |
|
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Mostly dry crossings, some slick moss on the rocks. |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
A couple of very old stepovers. One tricky duck-under on Conant between Horseshoe Pond Trail and the western end of Mine Loop. All trails nice and dry. |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Two friendly pups on Horseshoe Pond Trail descending, thankfully they hadn't been further than Lord Hill, it was hot and there is not much water on these trails. |
|
 | Bugs: |
Annoying throughout, until I just started going faster, which provided a brief reprieve... until they caught up. Mostly mosquitoes and black flies. |
|
 | Lost and Found: |
|
|
|
|
|
 | Comments: |
Embracing the heat, humidity, and the still air, I hit all the trails on Lord Hill and Pine Hill this morning. Started up Horseshoe Pond to Conant, over Lord Hill, down the length of Mine Loop to Conant, and down to the trailhead on FR 9A. Took the southern portion of the loop back, through the formerly beaver flooded portion (which is now dry and passable), over Pine Hill, out and back on Mine Connector, and back to Lord Hill. Went out and back on the section of Conant between Horseshoe Pond and the western end of Mine Loop. Only saw two people (and their two dogs), who had done an out and back to Lord Hill via Horseshoe Pond Trail, while I was on the way out.
These trails were an absolute pleasure to hike on. Beds of pine needles provided cushion in many spots, and the trails had generally easy grades, making for a fast hike overall. I could have done without all the sweating, but there we have it. Another 5.3 miles of trail down, 63.9 miles to go. |
|
 | Name: |
Bill Robichaud |
|
 | E-Mail: |
bill.robichaud@gmail.com |
|
| Date Submitted: |
2015-08-19 |
|
 | Link: |
 https://onapathwithheart.blogspot.com |
|
|
Disclaimer: Reports are not verified - conditions may vary. Use at own risk. Always be prepared when hiking. Observe all signs. Trail conditions reports are not substitutes for weather reports or common sense. |
|
