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Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks Little Jackson, Tumbledown Mountain, ME
Trails
Trails: Little Jackson Connector, Little Jackson Mountain Trail, Pond Link Trail, Tumbledown Mountain Trail, Brook Trail
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Thursday, May 23, 2019
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: Plenty at the Brook Trail parking area. Please encourage others to use designated parking. One car was at a makeshift area near the Brook trailhead. This increases erosion and is not necessary as the parking is less than 0.1 miles from the trailhead. 
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Dry Trail, Snow - Trace/Minimal Depth, Wet Trail, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment:  
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: On Little Jackson Connector and Pond Link there are larger crossings that I was able to do without sinking my boots in. Use creativity and a walking stick and you’ll be fine. 
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes: Blow downs are infrequent and easily negotiated. Blazing on the Tumbledown Mountain Trail is very faded but still visible.  
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes: None today but these trails are fine for dogs. No children or dogs are recommended for the Loop Trail. There is a serious and steep chimney that is dangerous for these two on the Loop. 
Bugs
Bugs: Oh my. The Maine state bird, the black fly, is awake and blood thirsty. 
Lost and Found
Lost and Found:  
 
Comments
Comments: Though less travelled than its counterpart the Brook Trail, the Little Jackson Connector and the Little Jackson Mountain trails are well blazed and blowdown free. These two are a much gentler ascent if going to Tumbledown via the Pond Link trail. The 1.4 miles of Little Jackson Mountain trail (heading to the summit of Little Jackson) from the junction with Pond Link trail are steep to tree line. Then it’s a hike up the rocks to the summit but you get fabulous views above tree line. Only one small, insignificant patch of snow on this trail.

Wonderful views from Little Jackson summit. I’ll head out to Jackson another day... signage was up for the trail to Jackson.

There is a demolished moose carcass on the Pond Link trail. All that remains is a thick pile of fur and two pieces of legs. Interesting.

Also noteworthy is that I got a bit off course following some carins off the Tumbledown Mountain Trail. So past the jct with the Loop Trail the blazes are very faded and take great care to follow. I got a bit off trail as I was following a beaten bath with well placed carins. These started about 200 feet from the West peak. Then I saw red paint which usually denotes land boundaries. The carins continued past this and looked to go to at least another small knob on Tumbledown’s north side. I decided that this must be some unofficial trail that goes around to the cool flat ridge that is part of the north side of Tumbledown. There are clear foot beaten paths so this must be used with some frequency. But I was out of time and could not explore this further.

Upon descent on the Brook Trail I remembered why I have not taken this trail in years. The Parker Ridge Trail, though also steep, is a more beautiful and a less rocky descent. Side note: Parker Ridge Trail was the original trail to Tumbledown.

On the Brook Trail there are also several areas that have pretty severe erosion going on. You can tell that the Brook Trail is used extensively. There is one easily negotiated washout as well. I encourage others to use alternate routes to Tumbledown. But, on this forum, you hikers probably already explore other routes to this cool area. Enjoy this popular peak.
 
Name
Name: Remington34 
E-Mail
E-Mail:  
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2019-05-23 
Link
Link: https:// 
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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