| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Speckled Mountain, ME |
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 | Trails: |
Route 113, Bickford Brook Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Sunday, January 30, 2011 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Parking is on roadside either along Rte. 113 or on access road to cold river campground/basin pond. Room for 10+ cars along roads but competing with trucks and their snowmobile trailers. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes |
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Only one small stream which is easily crossed on snowbridge |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
4 blowdowns - 1 easily stepped over, 2 walk unders, and one with a path around. Trimmed branches that were at eye level on one to make it easier to get under. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Would be a great an easy hike for canines |
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 | Bugs: |
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|
 | Lost and Found: |
Found - snowmobile trail map found along snowmobile path on Rte 113 - left at gate where drivable point of 113 ends. |
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|
 | Comments: |
A great hike though with clouds and snow no views today from the summit. Cannot drive to actual trailhead. Park along road at point where Rte 113 switches to snowmobile path (Right at access road to basin pond). Walk up Route 113 on snowmibile path for 2 tenths of a mile to Brickett Place and trail head. The trail is in perfect shape for snowshoeing. A very thin crust over packed powder - footing is solid but soft and not at all icy. On way down there was about a half of inch of new light powder on the trail from snow showers. Wore snowshoes top to bottom - of the three people I met along the way 2 had snowshoes and one was barebooting - he left only occasional shallow postholes so the trail can be done in boots. No tracks visible on blueberry ridge trail at the lower junction - there were a few tracks at the upper junction though the trail was not packed out and not sure how far they actually went, a few track on Spruce Hill trail as well. A FEW NOTES: When heading up 113 there are some really nasty dips and frost heaves that are quite jarring so it's a good idea to keep the speed down a bit and eyes open starting at about the junction with fish road. For those heading to the Baldfaces - the parking lot has not been plowed - there were a few larger trucks that did park in the lot in about 10 inches of snow, though most chose just to park alongside Rt.113 by the parking lot. |
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 | Name: |
Brian from Maine |
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 | E-Mail: |
brobert1@maine.rr.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2011-01-30 |
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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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