| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Sugarloaf Mountain, ME |
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 | Trails: |
Ski trails, Sugarloaf Side Trail, Appalachian Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, March 15, 2014 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Ski area charges $10 for uphill pass for hikers. You must follow specific trails to summit. Sugarloaf Trail to A.T. is located on right approx. 1/2 way between ski patrol shack and lower communications mast. Look for spare red flagging and blue blazes on rocks just below summit. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Snow - Unpacked Powder, Snow - Drifts, Snow - Wet/Sticky |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes, Skis |
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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: |
Hiked up via the ski area trails w/ party of 3. Descended and broke out the Sugarloaf Trail to the A.T. and returned over the summit and ski area trails--opted not to go all the way to Spaulding. Ski area trails groomed but loose on the ascent; we used snowshoes. Summit boney & blown bare to top of ski area. Expect a litany of (not unfriendly) comments from skiers. Nice ski patrol folks at summit let us in their shed to warm up. About 1/2 way up ski trails there is a noisy warming hut with typical ski area food concession. Backcountry: powder from the previous day turned to 2 feet of thick mashed potatoes in the sun (probably turned crusty with Sunday's chill). Tree branches at shoulder level--plan on doing the hunchback shuffle. Hazards: steer clear of communications towers which can drop skull-busting chunks of ice unexpectedly. Stay single file to side of ski trail if you don't enjoy ski or snowboard sandwiches. |
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 | Name: |
Paul-William Gagnon |
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 | E-Mail: |
pgagnon@forestsociety.org |
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| Date Submitted: |
2014-03-16 |
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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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