| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Snow Mountain, ME |
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 | Trails: |
Snow Mountain Trail, Old Firewarden's Trail, ATV Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, July 20, 2024 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
The guiebook's directions to the trailhead are accurate. Generally speaking, the road is in decent shape, but, with the heavy rains this year, it has suffered some minor-moderate washout. Luckily it's just on one side of the road so can easily be went around (if memory serves correctly, you'd need high clearance to get through some of it), but there are a couple of other parts where the washout is more minor (the top layer of the road was washed away revealing a very rocky surface below) but you have to go through it. Mid clearance should be fine and low clearance may be okay with care. Just take your time. Generally speaking, it seemed to get worse the further down the road you went, so if you have to pull off early, hopefully it won't be terribly far from the start. Though the guidebook's directions are correct, note a couple of things: 1) Gaia does not show the roads entirely correctly so do not rely on it as they confused me, and 2) it is very easy to drive right past the start of the ATV trail so, not seeing it, and it not aligning with what Gaia said, I actually drove back to the main road and continued a ways, thinking I got it wrong, but no: take the first left after the 5mi sign on left, and continue down the road to the end (log landing). The ATV track will be on your left as you drive in but as you walk back along the road a short ways, it will be on your right. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Mud - Significant |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
I don't think there were any that weren't bridged. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
On the obscure part of the traditional route that can be bypassed by the grassy ATV track, there were a plethora of blowdowns that are difficult to get around. On the other sections of trail, I think there were at least a few if not several but nothing that's really difficult to get around. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
The "narrow, rough path" up the cliff wall may be a little tricky for dogs, but other than that, grades aren't too steep and the trail should be fine for dogs. |
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 | Bugs: |
I can't remember if it was this hike where I had the little no-see-ums all in my face or not, but either way, in terms of mosquitos and black flies, it wasn't bad. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
None |
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 | Comments: |
Nothing was signed (and I don't believe there were signs at the jcts as the guidebook indicated either) and I don't think there was any blazing but I believe there was some flagging and cairns were present at the jcts. Between that and the fact that the guidebook's directions were accurate, it was followable. The traditional route is definitely obscure at its start but experienced hikers should be able to easily follow it.
I had hoped to finally redline the eastern portion of Grafton Loop on this day, but waking up 2hrs late and needing to be somewhere in the evening changed that. We settled for two hikes in the western tab instead and this was the first. While the guidebook's description of the trail is accurate, let me make super clear a few things that at least confused me (though this was likely just my own stupidity). 1) the first right hand turn onto a "rocky and eroded treadway" on right "soon after" 1mi, is one that EVERYONE makes, regardless as to whether you're taking the traditional route or not, and 2) The traditional route and the grassy ATV track route MERGE a 1/2mi up the grassy ATV track. The grassy ATV track's description makes this somewhat clear but the traditional route/old firewarden's trail does not make it terribly clear. Also, after the "narrow, rough path up the steep slope" by the cliff wall, the jct is just the jct with another herd path that ascends the cliff wall another way; it is NOT the jct of the firewarden's trail and grassy ATV track.
The first mile of the hike is wet at times but pretty gradual, the next 0.4mi to where the two routes diverge is gradual but very eroded. The 150yd bypass around an especially eroded portion with a bunch of blowdowns is obvious; make sure you do both if you're redlining. I went up the old firewarden's trail so continued straight at the jct. The old trail on right shortly after this jct is still marked with a cairn and obscure but obvious enough at least at its start. I'd be very curious to go back and follow it. The jct with the old firewarden's trail at 1.65mi was easy enough to see. Obscure and very wet and but shouldn't be too difficult for experienced hikers. It becomes more obvious with time but also blowdown ridden. Moderate to steep grades at times. Beyond where it intersects the ATV track and the two "routes" become one again in the guidebook, it is flat for a was before coming to a miniature ravine by the cliff wall. Make sure not to miss the left up the steep slope here as I did at first. From there, it's a moderate-steep grade for most of the way before moderating some before you approach the summit. Much better footing and drier than down low though. One section that's a bit overgrown.
No view from the summit unless you climb the firetower which would be pretty risky, but there's a great view to the south shortly before you reach the summit. There was some significant mud, wetness, puddles, and even some minor running water on the trail though mostly or all down low. Gaia had me at 5.4mi, roughly 1850ft of gain, 3hr1min. Given the obscure nature of some portions of the trail, blowdowns, mud, etc. I'd expect this one to take a little longer than you anticipate it will take. |
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 | Name: |
Liam Cooney |
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 | E-Mail: |
liamcooney96@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2024-07-24 |
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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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