| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Bemis Mountain - First Peak, Bemis Mountain - Second Peak, ME |
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 | Trails: |
Appalachian Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, June 1, 2024 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
No hiker parking at the Route 17 AT crossing. I parked 1/3 mile south at a logging road. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Bemis Stream crossing was hoppable with care. One of the secondary channels required crossing on a fallen log. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
The AT in this section was mostly clear and well defined |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Sampson enjoyed himself |
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 | Bugs: |
Blackflies |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
Today, Sampson and I hiked from Route 17 to Bemis Mountain Second Peak on the Appalachian Trail. As hiker parking is discouraged at Height of Land, we parked at a logging road turnout, about 1/3 mile south of the AT crossing. After starting with an easy road walk, we reached the trailhead and an excellent view next to Height of Land. The trail starts with a steep, muddy descent. It then becomes more gradual, before reaching the crossing of Bemis Stream. Bemis Stream has multiple channels at this crossing. Today, the main channel was rock hoppable with care, but a secondary channel had an unusual amount of water in it, due to a logjam diverting a significant portion of the stream's flow down the secondary channel. I crossed this channel using a fallen tree.
After the stream crossing, the AT begins to climb Bemis Mountain, soon reaching the crossing of Bemis Road. The Bemis Road trailhead is currently accessible from the north, and parking here lets you hike Bemis Mountain Second Peak as an excellent easy to moderate 4 mile round-trip hike. The AT climbs steeply, mirroring the steepness of the other side of the valley. It becomes more gradual before reaching First Peak, then descends into a shallow col before the final ascent up Second Peak. Soon before Second Peak, the trail breaks out onto open ledges. One of these ledges soon before the summit provides the best views of the hike.
After reaching the summit, we returned to the view ledge, where we ate lunch before descending. Ascending Bemis in this direction provides a great alternative to the 12 mile Bemis Loop, and still accesses the best views in the range. Bemis is an often overlooked mountain, but it is one of my favorites in the area. |
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 | Name: |
Sam Shirley |
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 | E-Mail: |
newenglandskier13@aol.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2024-06-01 |
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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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