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Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks North Brother, ME
Trails
Trails: Marston Trail
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Thursday, September 27, 2018
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: No problems. Baxter takes plastic for the entry fee. The road in was graded recently, and in one stretch, "recent" meant "seconds ago." Baxter State Park folks are doing good work.  
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Wet Trail, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Significant 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment:  
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: Wow, how to answer this? There was an outright brook for the last half mile or so up North Brother. Completely unavoidable, but if you had Gore Tex shoes, it wasn't a major problem. Next week, it might be a different story, but the recent rains made their presence felt. (As an aside, you could find a drink of water without much problem at all. BYO filter.)  
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes: MATC does good work. Trail was in fine shape. Blazes were occasional, but the trail was apparent, if not completely obvious.  
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes: No pets allowed in Baxter State Park. Bummer.  
Bugs
Bugs: Minor. Insignificant. Some early morning cobwebs, but nothing to write home about.  
Lost and Found
Lost and Found:  
 
Comments
Comments: So if you think it's a smart idea to drive 7 hours up to North Brother, hike for about half a dozen, and then drive back for 7 hours, don't. I mean, it's doable, but 20-some-odd hours later, you're going to be crushed. Don't ask how I know this.

That being said, the views from the top are superlative. There is no cell phone coverage in the park. This means no cell towers to spoil the view. If nothing else in life has brought you to your knees, you haven't seen Baxter. It's truly a jewel in Maine's crown -- and a crown that has no shortage of bounty.

As far as that drive? Schedule at least a weekend, so you can properly savor the experience. Those views, the smells, the experience. Thank me later.  
Name
Name: Protean Wanderer 
E-Mail
E-Mail: hiker@proteanwanderer.com 
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2018-09-29 
Link
Link: https://www.proteanwanderer.com/2018/09/28/trip-report-north-brother-mountain/ 
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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