| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Zircon, ME |
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 | Trails: |
ATV trail, Mt. Zircon Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Friday, March 11, 2022 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Parked at the designated lot off South Rumford Rd. There is a small sign about halfway up this lot designating it as parking for Zircon Trail. This is a large, dirt surfaced lot that was half plowed allowing parking for 6-10 vehicles. Though the surface was firm this morning, it was quite soft at midday. With the spring thaw, watch that you don’t sink to your windows. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Ice - Blue, Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular, Snow/Ice - Monorail (Stable), Snow - Wet/Sticky |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes, Light Traction |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
No water crossings on this trail |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Dog did fine. |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
This is a fun local trail that leads you up to a nice view from 2200 foot Mt Zircon.
After parking, you must walk 0.2 miles along South Rumford rd to the start of the ATV trail. This is directly next to a house. There is a small sign affixed to a larger “Tree Farm” sign. The small sign directs hikers to walk 2.2 miles on the ATV trail to gain access to Mt Zircon Trail proper.
The ATV trail was semi packed and micro spikes were appropriate. Snowshoes would be ok too but the snow is melting fast. It’s an ATV trail, wear what you like. Once hitting the junction with the snowmobile trail (reverts back to an ATV trail in snow free seasons), the trail was hard packed and fast going.
Mt Zircon Trail is nicely signed (look for a lovely handmade sign on the left some distance after passing the old Zircon spring house) and well blazed in blue. This trail is very well maintained. The footbed was firm and spikes remained the logical footwear as large slabs of blue ice are present in upper elevations. I mean LARGE. I was quite impressed by their size and shapes. If the ice intimidates you, there are more than enough bypass options. There was an abysmal 4-5 inches of snow on the ground and in the surrounding woods. Short pieces of monorail present in areas exposed to the sun.
The summit had patches of snow with the majority being exposed rock. Large summit carin visible. Downed fire tower still there. How does that thing not get blown off the mountain?!
The pipe leading from the spring house is running strong with fresh water. This is a mountain spring and I have drank numerous times without filtering. But do so at your own risk. It is quite delicious! |
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 | Name: |
Remington34 |
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 | E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2022-03-11 |
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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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