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Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks Caribou Mountain, Gammon Mountain, Kees Falls, ME
Trails
Trails: Mud Brook Trail, Caribou Trail, bushwhack, herd path
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Wednesday, August 10, 2016
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: Parked at the Mud Brook / Caribou trailhead off Rt. 113 in Evans Notch. 
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Dry Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment:  
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: Many minor and a few major crossings on this loop, all dry or very low. The drought continues. 
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes: Several stepovers on both trails, mostly within the wilderness boundary. Blazing is somewhat sparse and faded outside the boundary, but these trails are easy to follow. The one exception is Mud Brook Trail leading across the summit ledges. There are tiny cairns (one literally had three small stones) and old faded blazes to lead the way, but care should be taken to follow the trail in the open. 
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes: A good loop for dogs, but not much water right now. 
Bugs
Bugs: A few. 
Lost and Found
Lost and Found: Nothing. 
 
Comments
Comments: The original plan was to do some redlining on Mt. Madison, but the ominous forecast moved me to Plan B, which was a loop over Caribou. This is a pretty easy loop overall, with good footing and mostly easy grades. I went up MBT as it's a bit steeper and down CT. Tremendous views from the summit and surrounding ledges, even though it stayed overcast with a few light showers all day. Trails stayed mainly dry with only a few areas of mud.

At the junction of MBT and CT, I took a bearing and headed almost due north for Gammon. A herd path gets you started through the initial clearing, then it's a short but very steep climb. Woods are mostly decent, but there's a ton of hobblebush to fight through. Had to go around some blowdown tangles on the way up, but not too bad. There are two recognized highpoints. From the glass jar, go 15 yards to the east to find a smaller pill bottle register. I signed in at the jar, the last person to sign in was July 11. I pretty much reversed my route coming down, popping back out at the trail junction.

On the descent along CT, I took the steep herd path down to the bottom of Kees Falls, which has a very light flow. I'd love to see this in the spring.  
Name
Name: KenM 
E-Mail
E-Mail: kmacgray@gmail.com 
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2016-08-10 
Link
Link: https:// 
Bookmark and Share 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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