| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
None, ME |
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 | Trails: |
Wheeler Brook Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Sunday, June 11, 2023 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
You could probably figure out a few spots at the Route 2 end of the trail. More room at the Little Lary Brook Road end. Little Lary Brook Road is in good condition for any vehicle. It's not signed at its junction with Route 113, but it's just south of the southern Roost trailhead. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Mud - Significant |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
The four crossings of Wheeler Brook in the northern half of the trail can all be rock-hopped with a little creativity and willingness to look around nearby for a better way. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Plenty of blowdowns on all sections of the trail. Lots of wet and muddy areas as well. The sign for Wheeler Brook Trail at the south end of the trail (at the end of Little Lary Brook Road) is difficult to see from the road - it's just past the bridge that's right past the gate. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Shouldn't have any issues. |
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 | Bugs: |
Lots. Mosquitoes were the worst. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
Nothing. |
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 | Comments: |
I had extra time after the Haystack Notch hike this morning, and so I decided to redline this trail as well. It was a good choice, because this trail's vibe is very similar to that of Haystack Notch - lots of blowdowns and mudpits and a VERY faint trail corridor in many places. This trail could be a real challenge to follow for an inexperienced hiker. Since I had just done Haystack Notch, I was already accustomed to this level of difficulty in trail finding, and I was able to follow it without too much trouble. Substantial portions of the trail follow old woods roads - the roads are frequently overgrown but the trail generally follows them pretty closely. Very brushy in spots. My biggest issue with route-finding was actually very close to the end of the hike - less than two tenths from the bottom, the woods road that the trail follows comes to a fork - one fork is straight ahead while the other bears right. I started down the fork straight ahead, and it was only from noticing that my path diverged from the trail line on Alltrails that I could tell I was going the wrong way. The trail actually bears right at the fork. There's no sign at this junction - I think there should be one.
What I didn't realize before I did this hike is that, on the Route 2 side of the trail between the lowest and second-lowest river crossing, the trail runs near some very interesting rock formations, cascades, and even a waterfall on Wheeler Brook. The trail itself doesn't get especially close to them, and the waterfall is only a little bit visible from the trail, but one could definitely bushwhack closer to the brook to get better views. This is less than a mile from Route 2 - if I had more time, I would've explored more! |
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 | Name: |
GN |
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 | E-Mail: |
ghnaigles@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2023-06-11 |
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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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