| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Champlain Mountain , ME |
|
 | Trails: |
Champlain North Ridge Trail, Beachcroft Trail, Wild Gardens Path, road walk |
|
 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, April 22, 2023 |
|
 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
There’s a small parking area on Park Loop Rd just east of the start of the trail and about 1/4mi beyond Bear Brook Picnic area. I’m sure this is always overflowing in season as I think there’s only 5 or so spaces here. Only one other car when I arrived at 1pm and three others when I returned at 2:45pm. |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Mud - Significant |
|
 | Recommended Equipment: |
|
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
The crossing of the outlet of The Tarn a the start of Beachcroft Path is dammed and has large stones across it making it a very easy crossing. Water would have to be very high to make this an issue. |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
I believe all trails were blazed in blue. Some small cairns along Beachcroft and Champlain North Ridge as well. I don’t recall any blowdowns other than one or two on Wild Garden Path. |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Beachcroft was steeper than I imagined coming off of Champlain Mtn and may be tricky for some dogs but most hiking dogs will probably be just fine. |
|
 | Bugs: |
None |
|
 | Lost and Found: |
None |
|
|
|
|
 | Comments: |
3rd hike of the day after Beech Mtn and Mansell Mtn on SW Harbor. Champlain North Ridge was what I expected: beautiful and steep in spots but nothing crazy. Mostly dry with some wet spots and some moderately bad mud in the soils between the ledges. You get to the ledges very quickly and have a nice view up to the summit as you ascend. I love the trees (Jack pines?) here too!
The summit was flirting with clouds but myself and the one other guy up there enjoyed it nonetheless. I then banged a right and headed down Beachcroft Trail which, especially as it nears the col, is actually very steep. Not super scrambly but I wasn’t quite anticipating it. I LOVED the view down to Huguenot Head though and getting up it wasn’t that steep. The trail contours around the south side of Huguenot Head, then slabs and winds its way down its western cliffs. The trail work on this part of the trail is something scenic within itself that I really enjoyed. This trail has got to be one of my favorites in the park thus far. Once I reached the road, I crossed it to complete the trail as it doesn’t technically end until the jct with Jesus and Kane Paths and Kurt Diederichs Climb at the NW corner of The Tarn.
I banged a right and walked the flat Wild Gardens Path to the parking area to the north, then walked Park Loop Rd back to my car. Gaia said I’d hiked 3.5mi with about 1000ft of gain. |
|
 | Name: |
Liam Cooney |
|
 | E-Mail: |
liamcooney96@gmail.com |
|
| Date Submitted: |
2023-04-29 |
|
 | Link: |
 https:// |
|
|
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. |
|
