| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Little Deer Hill, ME |
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 | Trails: |
Leach Link Trail, Deer Hill Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Sunday, March 22, 2020 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Parking is at the same place for Stone house/Blueberry trails about 1/10 mile down Stone House Road. There are some DEEP holes but with care any vehicle should be able to make it. Parking at spot along road where road heads to Stone house (oddly wasn't gated today though no vehicular traffic allowed) and snowmobile trail turns right. Full crowd today with 8 cars. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Ice - Black, Wet/Slippery Rock, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Light Traction |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
A couple of small crossing on Leach Link are easy hops. Note for those coming from the Baldface Parking lot - the water level is low enough to cross the dam, however, the plank across the center channel was partially broken and might be a bit of a challenge. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
All in great shape |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Easy canine hike. |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
With bluebird day opted to head to Evans Notch and one of my favorite small summits. Everyone else headed towards Stone House so I had the trails to myself. An easy 4.2 mile out and back with a little bit of elevation gain. I'd recommend if you're in the area. Leach link follows snowmobile trail across a bridge and then for a couple hundred yards and then veers right into the woods (sign). Trail was a mix of hard/frozen snow and ice. Traction useful for this stretch especially along the bank overlooking the stream. Lower part of Deer Hill was actually free of snow for a good stretch after an initial stretch of hard pack. There were patches of ice/snow but can be avoided - no need for traction in this stretch. Back to mainly snow/ice as you approach the rock ledges about 1/4 mile below the top. The ledge rock was wet with thin ice -traction useful to get up this rock and the short stretch above this to the summit. Summit is still mostly covered in snow. Great views at the top of the first set of ledges and an amazing view of the top that takes in the Baldfaces, Eastman and other area mountains. A few prints heading over to Deer Hill but didn't look well traveled. NOTE for those wanting to access Deer Hill Trail from the Baldface Parking lot - The water level is low enough to cross the dam. However, the plank across the center channel is partially broken so if you're coming from this direction take some care. |
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 | Name: |
Brian from Maine |
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 | E-Mail: |
brobert1@maine.rr.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2020-03-22 |
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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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