| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Baldpate Mountain - West Peak, Baldpate Mountain - East Peak, Long Mountain, Puzzle Mountain, Puzzle Mountain - Southwest Peak, ME |
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 | Trails: |
Appalachian Trail, Grafton Loop Trail, Woodsum Spur Trail, Lane Campsite Spur, Knoll Campsite Spur, Town Corner Campsite Spur, bushwhacks, Stewart Campsite Spur |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Thursday, September 17, 2020 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Parking at the AT crossing and at the lot on teh south end Route 26 mostly full. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
easily rock hop-able. Water is scarce out there. No water at Town Corner or Stewart Campsites! |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Trails clear and mostly well blazed, rather confusing that trail and the campsite spurs are blazed the same color. Very easy to follow Lane Campsite thinking you're on the trail, ha ha. A few sections between East Baldpate and Lane campsite could use some brushing. Good signs. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Not much water out there |
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 | Bugs: |
Occasional bug would fly in my eye or mouth. A few giant mosquitoes and lots of Daddy Long Legs at the Stewart Campsite |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
Gambled and lost on the view on the Baldpates on Thursday morning, clouds crept in as we climbed and we were totally socked in. Thankfully trail was dry as it was the entire East Loop. The giant mud hole between the 'Pates has a new wonderful bog bridge--that was the only mud we encountered. We redlined everything! Gosh wish Lane Campsite was at the other end because it is on a wonderful brook and the waterfall perfect for taking a dip on a hot day we imagined. Lightning Ledge was sweet (surprised not trail sign here). We whacked to the highpoint of Long. We pushed on all the way to Stewart Campsite, we filled up our water bottles, 2 liters each at the Chase Mill Brook crossing, about 1.5 miles east of the campsite. We knew this water would have to last us for supper, breakfast and the 7 miles more of hiking we planned to do. With all the out and backs to campsites and viewpoints we did 17.1 miles. After a good night's sleep we continued on and it was a pleasant clear day. We took the Woodsum Spur Trail and also whacked to the recognized highpoint of Puzzle Mountain. Woodsum spur has many open ledges and is a fantastic view hike. When we intersected with the Grafton Loop Trail we dropped our packs and hightailed it up to the SW Peak, oh this was the best summit! Then we continued to intersect with the upper Woodsum trail spur where we had left the Grafton Loop. This isn't right on the Maine Guide trail map. It is something like .5 up to the SW summit and then another .4 to the upper Woodsum spur intersection. Pleasant hiking! We were back at our car by 11 am. We hiked 6 miles. Since we were done so early we then went on to hike up and down Old Speck. Great one night backpack with Laura. |
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 | Name: |
Nordic_Gal |
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 | E-Mail: |
amybike@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2020-09-19 |
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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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