| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Flat Hill (Heald Bradley Ponds Reserve) , ME |
|
 | Trails: |
Flat Hill Trail, bushwhack |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, February 25, 2023 |
|
 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
The parking situation was just a little confusing… just before the trailhead there’s signs saying not to park there as it’s an active plow truck turnaround. You could bear left here or continue straight on a narrower path that looked more like a snowmobile trail toward the trailhead. If it weren’t for these signs, I probably would’ve just parked here. Continuing ahead, immediately beyond, you’ll come to the trailhead and more plowed out areas. I parked here. AWD may help going this hair further down the road to where it appears they want you to park. Clearer signage would also help. Beyond this, the roads were plowed but had some packed snow/ice on them. Should be doable by any car. |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Snow - Trace/Minimal Depth, Ice - Blue, Snow - Unpacked Powder |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes |
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Nothing that isn’t bridged. |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
The trail is no longer marked with purple dots as the guidebook describes but with yellow diamonds instead. Very well marked. I don’t think there were any blowdowns. There is a small sign and marker at the start of the trail. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Sure |
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 | Bugs: |
None |
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 | Lost and Found: |
None |
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|
 | Comments: |
First hike of the day. Very easy, family friendly hike with a solid view at the end. Snow conditions were EXCELLENT…finally!! Just a few inches of powder over a solid base made for very quick traveling. Easy grades helped too ;) There was an OAB set of snowshoe tracks headed up but they turned around a short ways in. Despite the trail being very well marked, you could easily miss a turn at the base of a steeper grade just before the summit where the trail switchbacks and crosses an old road a couple of times. The trail ends at a nice view toward the peaks of Evans Notch and the eastern mountains of NH. I bushwhacked a very short distance to the true summit and walked around the ridge a little. On my way down, I cut off some of the switchbacks and stuck to the road. Gaia had me at 1.3mi, 350ft of gain, 40min. Snowshoeing doesn’t get much easier (or better!) than this!! |
|
 | Name: |
Liam Cooney |
|
 | E-Mail: |
liamcooney96@gmail.com |
|
| Date Submitted: |
2023-02-28 |
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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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