| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Burnt Hill, ME |
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 | Trails: |
Burnt Mountain Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, July 20, 2024 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
I parked in Lot C as the guidebook describes. Plenty of parking this time of year obviously. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Mud - Significant |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Rock hopable but note the high water bypass that the guidebook describes in the guidebook which is technically not needed for redlining. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
I think there were at least a few blowdowns but I really don't recall. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Steep at times but no real scrambling. Most hiking dogs should be fine. |
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 | Bugs: |
I can't remember if it was this hike or Snow Mtn where there were a bunch of the "in your face" bugs but overall weren't too bad. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
None |
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|
 | Comments: |
The trail is blazed in blue and I think pretty regularly. I will say that the trail is, in a sense, difficult to truly follow above treeline because the blazes, though often enough, go in what felt like a pretty random/awkward places at times, rather than taking the most obvious path to the summit. The trail is also marked with cairns above treeline but they were mostly quite small so could be covered in snow in winter. The erosion and mud on the path is pretty bad at times so maybe something could be done about that. There are also some herd paths and multiple paths/very wide paths in some sections.
Second hike of the day after Snow Mtn. I settled for these two hikes after waking up 2hrs late to do the eastern portion of Grafton Loop. If redlining, make careful note of how the guidebook describes getting to the start of the trail, lol. The trail was signed as it leaves Bigelow Mtn Rd. At the fork shortly thereafter, there's a sign pointing you left but it's very small and underneath the two much larger ones (the guidebook also tells you to go left). The trail begins quite gradually but gets much steeper and rougher (some tough/loose footing with a little bit of wet slab) as it nears the Sugarloaf-Burnt Hill col. There's a reprieve as the trail turns NE in the col and finds its way over ledges before climbing moderately-steeply up the summit cone over rock. The footing isn't too bad though. Fantastic views obviously.
While I saw plenty of others out, I actually had the summit to myself which was a treat. On the way down, I took the high water bypass (not signed and not technically needed for redlining). It is narrow and rough and I would be very careful with young kids or pets on it as its a sheer drop-off down to the brook at times. The trail is well travelled, and very muddy at times. Lastly, the guidebook doesn't specify this, but where the trail meets a grassy ski trail and follows it for 100ft, note that the trail turns RIGHT onto it, then left off of it back into the woods. There's a small sign here marking the trail but it's not too obvious which way to go when you reach the ski trail. Gaia had me at 6mi, 1850ft of gain, 3hrs. |
|
 | 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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