| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Bobcat Ledge, ME |
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 | Trails: |
Snowmobile trail, Bobcat Ledge Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, June 3, 2023 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
I was able to pull off of Thorne Mountain Road where the snowmobile trail leaves it |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Wet Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
No significant crossings |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
This trail has not seen maintenance in quite some time! |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
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 | Bugs: |
Not a significant issue |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
A while back, I read and/or heard that there might be a trail to a place called "Bobcat Ledge" in Canton. Of course, this intrigued me because I had never heard of the place, even though it wasn't far from where I lived. Naturally, I started doing some research, but I wasn't able to turn up much on the place. It wasn't marked on the USGS maps, and all I really had to go on was a page on the website of the Wilder Waters Community which explained that they were trying to conserve Bobcat Ledge. The page had a picture of the view from the ledge, but no other details about its location, and hadn't been updated in a while. However, I found that the location of the Wilder Waters Community was at the end of Thorne Mountain Road, and I found a nearby spot, using Google Earth and USGS maps, which looked like a ledge that might offer some views. This location was a small peak on the eastern ridge of Thorne Mountain. While doing some scouting of the area a few weeks ago, I found a snowmobile trail off of Thorne Mountain Road which I determined to be the most likely access location. Today's forecast called for low clouds, which meant that views from medium and large peaks would be nonexistent, so I decided to give Bobcat Ledge a go.
I parked where the snowmobile trail left Thorne Mountain Road, and started walking up the old road that the snowmobile trail followed. At this point, there were no signs suggesting that this was the way to Bobcat Ledge, but it was a pleasant section of old road to walk on through the forest.
Before too long, a faint trail joined from the right (the direction of Wilder Waters Community), which was marked as "access by permission only." At this junction, there was a small sign pointing down the old road/snowmobile trail which said "BL." At this point, I knew that I was on the right track! Beyond this junction, the old road became more overgrown and wasn't as pleasant to walk on.
After another relatively short distance on the overgrown road, I spotted a very overgrown old track to the left, and a barely legible old sign hidden in the bushes, which read "Bobcat Ledge" and pointed up the old track. It was clear that although this route may have been formerly maintained as a hiking trail, it hadn't seen much use or maintenance in a very long time. It was tough going at first on the old track, fighting through saplings and overgrowth. Luckily, as I progressed uphill, the forest thinned out and there was less overgrowth. Although still essentially a bushwhack, this part of the hike was rather nice.
As I approached the crest of the ridge, I could see light through the trees, suggesting a significant dropoff. Upon reaching the ridgeline, the old trail turned right and followed the rocky crest of the ridge, with multiple viewpoints to the south and east. The last viewpoint was the best one, and it offered views from an open cliff face that were as good as you could possibly expect from a peak under 1,000'. The excellent views included Lake Anasagunticook and the rolling northeastern portion of the Oxford Hills.
Bobcat Ledge really is a special spot, and I'm glad that I put in the effort to find it. I hope that it is able to be protected and the trail is able to be reopened. If you're up for a little adventure, I highly recommend checking it out. |
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 | Name: |
Sam Shirley |
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 | E-Mail: |
newenglandskier13@aol.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2023-06-03 |
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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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