| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Round Mountain, ME |
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 | Trails: |
Round Mountain Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Tuesday, October 29, 2013 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
This particular Round Mountain is located in Albany Township, just south of Bethel, ME. This was the first time that I've done this hike, and it was a delightful surprise! For whatever reason, the Maine Mountain Guide (10th edition) doesn't include this hike. However, it is described on the Maine Trail Finder website (see link below). http://www.mainetrailfinder.com/trail/round-mountain/
The trail is very well maintained. Although it is unblazed, it is exceptionally well-marked with cairns all along the route.
The trail has many steep spots, but there are several switchbacks to provide relief. The steepness moderates somewhat as you come closer to the Rock Castle Loop portion of the trail. However, this loop contains some of the steepest sections of the entire route. Doing the loop clockwise involves a steep ascent. And, of course, if you do the loop counterclockwise, then it involves a steep descent. So, it's your choice as to which direction to follow! My personal choice is to ascend steeply, and so I chose the clockwise option. But regardless of how you do the loop, you will enjoy several fine viewpoints looking westward toward high peaks in NH, and northward toward the Mahoosucs.
The Maine Trail Finder website lists this hike as 1.8 miles round-trip. However, this description seems to have been written prior to the relatively recent addition of the Rock Castle Loop. My guess is that the round-trip mileage with the loop might be slightly over 2 miles. And just as a side note, I commend those who constructed the Rock Castle Loop. It's quite obvious that a lot of work went into it!
Photos are at my BLOG (see link below)
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 | Name: |
1HappyHiker |
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 | E-Mail: |
randonneur8 AT yahoo DOT com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2013-10-30 |
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 | Link: |
 https://1happyhiker.blogspot.com/2013/10/3-hikes-in-western-maine-albany-mtn.html |
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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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