| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Snow Mountain (Chain of Ponds), ME |
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 | Trails: |
Bushwhack, ATV trails, logging roads, old trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Friday, January 15, 2016 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Someone had told us that North Road was plowed 5 miles to the summer trailhead, but it was only plowed to 2.8 miles from Route 27 where North Rd. takes a left hand turn. There is parking there, but we continued on the plowed road to the north of North Road to a point approx 5 miles from Route 27. We decided to park at the end of plowing at a pullout and bushwhack about 0.4 to 0.5 miles to the summer trailhead, instead of ski/snowshoe the remaining 2+ miles on North Road to summer trailhead. Not sure if this access will hold up through the winter, as dependent on logging. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Snow - Unpacked Powder |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
One open water stream crossing on our bushwhack over to North Road; one of us fell in to mid-calf, but the others found a better crossing.
Some open water in several dips on the ATV trail that we could generally step over without getting wet. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
ATV trails from summer trailhead are in good condition, 3 bridges all good, old firewarden's trail is fairly open with just a few duck-unders |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Snow was very deep (2 feet) for Ella and Eva, OK if they stayed behind us and walked in our snowshoe tracks. |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
We drove in 2.8 miles on North Road, but North Rd plowing ended there. We kept driving on the plowed logging road to a point about 5 miles in from Route 27 and bushwhacked 0.5 miles to the summer trailhead at the end of North Road. We followed the ATV trail (which says "no ATVs") for a short distance, took a sharp left over bridge #1. Kept going on this trail across bridge #2 and #3. A few minutes past bridge #3 we headed into the woods to the right next to a couple of boulders and followed this drainage/stream bed to an ATV trail on the right to a 4-way intersection. (at the intersection there is a bridge to the left, but don't go this way). We turned right and climbed on this open logging road to 3100 ft elevation, where we intersected the old firewarden's trail. We turned right and followed this trail to the summit where there is an abandoned fire tower. There was one tricky steep rock face we detoured around (flagging tape) but the detour was still extremely steep and icy. With 2 feet of powder, we wore snowshoes all day. Thanks to Heather, Wally, and pups Ella and Eva for sharing a good day out. |
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 | Name: |
Donna D |
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 | E-Mail: |
winnie@vermontel.net |
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| Date Submitted: |
2016-01-16 |
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 | Link: |
 https:// |
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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. |
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