| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Pleasant Mountain, ME |
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 | Trails: |
Fire Warden's Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Sunday, March 20, 2022 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Parking lot was firm mud and dirt, posing no problems, and has room for 6-8 cars. Only one car in lot upon arriving at 1000. Four cars total (including ours) upon departing at 1400. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Wet Trail, Ice - Blue, Ice - Breakable Crust, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Mud - Significant, Snow - Spring Snow |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Light Traction |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
A lovely out and back hike with Sprout on the first day of spring.
There's a 10-foot stretch maybe 100 yards past the kiosk at the trailhead that has surprisingly deep mud; it looks firm like the rest of the mud on the trail (but it isn't!) and one can easily sink in above one's ankle if you're not paying attention. After that, the snow on the trail begins, and there's enough of it to warrant microspikes. While we did take them off again for a stretch without any snow about 10 minutes later, back on they went very quickly, and they stayed on until we got to the summit.
The second half of this trail transitions from mostly snow to mostly ice (some of which will break from your weight when you step on it), with a trickle of melting water flowing over the top in places. We were fine with our microspikes (and would not have been without them!), but you'll still want to be careful where and how you step, particularly the steeper sections on the way back down. The ice turned into soft spring snow for the final stretch (just before the junction with the Bald Peak Trail all the way to the summit).
Our ascent was misty and overcast, which had its own charm and beauty. Upon nearing the summit, we broke through the cloud cover and suddenly it was like a different day; we were treated to blue skies, sunshine, and fine views of the undercast below us and the Whites in the distance. We stopped to soak it all in for a bit and enjoy some summit snacks, and then made our way back down to the trailhead.
We mostly had the trails and summit to ourselves, except for three pairs of other friendly fellow hikers we crossed paths with over the course of our hike, who were also out and enjoying today's first sweet taste of spring. |
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 | Name: |
Night Ranger |
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 | E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2022-03-20 |
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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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