| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Whiting Hill, ME |
|
 | Trails: |
Homestead Trail, Hemlock Loop Trail, orange blazed connector, Whiting Hill Loop Trail, Otter Rocks Spur Trail, Westways Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, February 25, 2023 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
The parking lot opposite Westways Rd was not plowed so I parked up the road a half mile at the plowed lot for Homestead Trail instead. I believe all the lots were signed. I could barely get behind the white lines on the side of the road on Westways Rd so it would have been a little iffy to leave a car there. |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Snow - Unpacked Powder |
|
 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes |
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
I don’t recall any that aren’t bridged. |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
The trails are marked with diamonds of varying colors: Homestead Trail in blue, Hemlock Loop in yellow, the connector in orange, Whiting Hill Loop in blue, Otter Rocks Spur in red, and Westways Spur in yellow. The trails are well marked and there’s maps posted at some of the jcts. I don’t recall any blowdowns. |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Sure |
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 | Bugs: |
None |
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 | Lost and Found: |
None |
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|
 | Comments: |
Second hike of the day after Flat Hill. I wanted to hike the loop described in the guidebook but since the lot wasn’t plowed I hiked in Homestead Trail, Hemlock Loop, and the short connector trail to Whitting Hill Loop just NE of the summit. Then completed the loop clockwise with OABs to Otter Rocks and the Westways Spur along the way. Note that I name the trails as they’re given on the maps of the area posted at various trail jcts not the ones given in the guidebook. There are no longer paint blazes but diamonds in the color of the trail as shown on the map. I’ve posted a link below. It seems this area had some remodeling back in 2017, especially on Amos Mtn but we’ll save that for another trail report.
Trails north of Whitting Hill were broken out and packed whereas trails south and NE were not I believe. Trail breaking was very easy though in just a little powder. I was surprised at times by the lack of new snow though. The trails were well marked and generally easy to follow but note that 1) a seemingly old trail blazed in turquoise continues ahead at the jct of Whitting Hill Loop and Westways Spur if coming from the south which is a little confusing and 2) the somewhat awkwardly contouring connector trail between Hemlock Loop and Whitting Hill Loop seems to soon be on its way out; perhaps I’m being presumptuous but I noticed flagging that seemed to indicate a new trail, which would certainly be more direct and more pleasant, between the two. Ski tracks, and now my snowshoe tracks, cut a corner or two on Homestead Trail. Gaia had me 4mi, 600ft of gain, 2hrs. |
|
 | Name: |
Liam Cooney |
|
 | E-Mail: |
liamcooney96@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2023-02-28 |
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 | Link: |
 https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5b55d5d87c9327309faac7f1/t/5d697bf406867a0001d653c0/1567194105760/2019.8.30_Heald+and+Bradley_Brochure.pdf |
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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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