| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Champlain Mountain, The Beehive, Gorham Mountain, ME |
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 | Trails: |
Orange and Black Path, Champlain North Ridge Trail, Champlain South Ridge Trail, Beehive Trail, Bowl Trail, Gorham Mountain Trail, Park Loop Road |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Friday, March 20, 2015 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Parked at Orange and Black Path trailhead off Schooner Head Road (no formal pull off). Park Loop Road leading to Orange and Black Path is not plowed, it is plowed from the Entrance Station (via Schooner Head Road; no rangers manning fee booths) southbound. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Snow - Unpacked Powder, Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular, Snow - Drifts, Snow - Spring Snow, Snow/Ice - Postholes |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Snow bridged |
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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: |
Orange and Black Path had somewhat firm snowpack. Steep snowfield might cause some hesitation, but snowshoes provided adequate traction.
Champlain North Ridge Trail was difficult to follow in places due to open areas and skier traffic. Navigation not a big deal if on snowshoes though. Probably 2-3 feet of snowpack.
Weather and conditions were nice enough to tempt me to go beyond my original plan, so I headed south to The Bowl (frozen over and very peaceful), then up the back side of the Beehive (ie the easy side...had zero interest in the technical side, which appeared to have some blue ice).
I then continued further south to Gorham Mountain, which, while having nice views, was also badly postholed from barebooters coming up from the Sandy Beach parking lot. Generally 2-3 feet of snowpack.
Park Loop Road northbound from there to the Entrance Station had one lane plowed for automobile traffic and the other lane packed out for snowmobiles (didn't encounter any, so I had it to myself). North of the gate, both lanes were packed out via snowmobile/ski/boot traffic. Still mostly snow covered, though a few areas of pavement were melting out. |
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 | Name: |
rocket21 |
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 | E-Mail: |
rocket21@franklinwebpublishing.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2015-03-21 |
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 | Link: |
 https://www.franklinsites.com/hikephotos |
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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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