| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
White Cap Mountain (Piscataquis County), ME |
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 | Trails: |
Frenchtown Road, Appalachian Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, June 1, 2019 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Frenchtown Rd, the dirt road leading to the AT crossing, is in mostly good shape to the closed gate a short distance before the crossing, with some rougher areas toward the end. There are several roads branching off from this road throughout its length, so pay attention to where you're going. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Snow/Ice - Monorail (Stable), Snow - Wet/Sticky, Snow/Ice - Monorail (Unstable), Snow - Spring Snow, Snow/Ice - Postholes, Snow/Ice - Small Patches |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Light Traction |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
All rock hopped. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Several blowdowns along this leg of the AT- most were stepped over or ducked under, but at least a couple had beaten paths around them. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
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 | Bugs: |
Moderately bad at the trailhead and summit, but not an issue in between. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
I cannot believe how much snow is still on White Cap Mountain. Even with the mountain being so far north and the trail facing north, there is significantly more snow than I ever thought there would be on a 3,644 ft. mountain in Maine on June 1st. The trail was snow and ice free until shortly after the lean-to, after which the trail started to have spotty snow patches. Past the lookout spur, the snow became rapidly more widespread, with the upper 1/2 mile or so of trail and surrounding mountainsides having almost full coverage. I brought microspikes and actually used them- made the hike much easier. Even so, I was still slipping, and I postholed up to my knees in several areas. (I'm 6'1" for reference.) The trail in the alpine zone was snow free, as were the open areas of the summit. There was still quite a bit of snow/monorail in the wooded areas of the summit and the AT heading southbound. Thankfully, the summit was in the clear with simply stunning views of most of northern Maine, including Katahdin, so I was well rewarded. |
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 | Name: |
Spencer |
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 | E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2019-06-01 |
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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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