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Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks Mt. Katahdin - Hamlin Peak, ME
Trails
Trails: Chimney Pond Trail, Saddle Trail, Northwest Basin Trail, Hamlin Ridge Trail, North Basin Trail
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Tuesday, August 11, 2020
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: Roaring Brook Road is in mostly OK shape - most vehicles should be able to go 15-20 mph no problem, and there are only a few rutted sections.  
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Dry Trail 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment:  
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: All substantial water crossings were bridged, and anything that wasn't was very easy. Trails were very dry. 
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes: Chimney Pond Trail, despite its relatively gentle grades, is a very rough trail - large sections of the trail require constant rock-hopping. It seemed weird for a trail that was so gradual - maybe something could be done about it? There's clearly been a lot of work done already on Chimney Pond Trail, with lots of new-looking bridges and plank walkways (I got excited when I saw them, since they were some of the only smooth parts of the trail). Hamlin Ridge Trail had lots of new-looking blazes - those definitely helped. North Basin Trail is very eroded. All signs are in place. 
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes: Not allowed in Baxter State Park. 
Bugs
Bugs: Not too bad. Used bug spray, wasn't bothered much by them. 
Lost and Found
Lost and Found: Nada. 
 
Comments
Comments: This is a very strenuous, but very rewarding hike. Chimney Pond Trail, as noted above, is unusually rough for a trail of its mostly gentle grades. Be sure to take the short side path to the shore of Basin Pond - the view there is beautiful, and there was a nice breeze blowing off the pond when we were there, which was very welcome since it was a hot day. The first part of Saddle Trail is moderate, but the final half-mile or so is extremely steep - the lower part of this section involves rock scrambling through low trees, while the upper part is on the loose gravel of the slide (where the trail really does seem to go straight up). It was a tough climb, and the heat didn't help, but it became all worth it when we reached the top of the slide and gained the Tableland. There was a nice breeze blowing, which cooled us down quickly, and the Northwest Basin Trail is nice - gradual and not too rough. Despite its being an above-treeline trail here, Northwest Basin Trail actually had the best footing of any of the five trails that we used - it wasn't perfect, but it was definitely nicer than Hamlin Ridge or Chimney Pond trails.

The summit of Hamlin is a mostly level area with a mostly illegible sign, and it was a good spot for lunch. Descending Hamlin Ridge, though, was an adventure. The trail is visible in front of and below you for most of the way down, and it is extremely rough and rocky - I buttslid dozens of times down rocks. The blue blazes definitely helped us find the easiest way down. It took us at least an hour and a half to descend that trail, and that was pretty much without stopping. North Basin Trail was rough and eroded.

This hike completed my New England 67. Thanks so much Bill for joining me!  
Name
Name: GN 
E-Mail
E-Mail: ghnaigles@gmail.com 
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2020-08-12 
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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