Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
| Peaks |
Bull Rock, Sugarloaf - South Peak, Sugarloaf , ME |
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| Trails: |
Sugarloaf Trail, bushwhack, unnamed trails |
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| Date of Hike: |
Saturday, October 19, 2024 |
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| Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Room for a few cars at the trailhead. Be sure to not block the driveway |
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| Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail |
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| Recommended Equipment: |
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| Water Crossing Notes: |
All unbridged crossings were easily stepped over |
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| Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Trails are all mostly clear and in good shape |
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| Dog-Related Notes: |
Great hike for dogs! |
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| Bugs: |
Not an issue. Asian lady beetles at the summit were slightly annoying |
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| Lost and Found: |
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| Comments: |
Previously, I preferred the shorter route up Sugarloaf from Moxie Heights over the longer route from Weld St because you didn't have to go out of your way to Bull Rock unless you wanted to, but the loop that we discovered today is easily my new favorite route to hike Sugarloaf. We also finally summited the south peak of Sugarloaf, which has intrigued me since my first hike up the mountain.
Starting at the trailhead on Weld St, we climbed the steep and eroded trail to Bull Rock. After a quick break, we followed the trail to join up with the route from Moxie Heights and then into the deep saddle between the north and south peaks of the mountain. From here, we bushwhacked south and were soon met with the impressive cliffs and boulder caves of Sugarloaf's south peak. We carefully picked our way up the cliffs band, passing a few viewpoints back towards the north peak. At the summit, there were a few directional views, and an interesting red pine woodland. Surprisingly, there were no cairns, firepits, or other signs of human visitation to the peak.
We descended the east side of South Peak to avoid the majority of the cliffs, and then looped back around to the trail in the saddle to the north. Heading up the trail, we soon attained the north peak of Sugarloaf, where we were treated to the usual spectacular views, including a snowcapped Mount Washington.
On the descent, we decided to try out a new route. After descending the footpath back to the old road below the saddle, instead of turning left, we turned right onto an unmarked, but clearly decently well used trail. This trail quickly turned west and made a steep descent directly back to the trailhead. The route back was less than half of the distance of looping around across Bull Rock. Ascending, this trail turns left just after you enter the woods from the parking area. I'm not sure why this trail doesn't appear in the Maine Mountain Guide, but it would be a great addition to the next edition, as it makes a very attractive loop option up Sugarloaf from the Weld St trailhead. |
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| Name: |
Sam Shirley |
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| E-Mail: |
newenglandskier13@aol.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2024-10-19 |
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| Link: |
https://www.alltrails.com/explore/recording/activity-october-19-2024-1b89a2e?p=-1&sh=qriocr |
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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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