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Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks Caribou Mountain, ME
Trails
Trails: Caribou Trail, Mud Brook Trail
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Sunday, October 27, 2024
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: Small dirt lot. Bathroom facility has been removed. Route 113 is narrow but is wide enough for two-way traffic. The road is gated during the snow season. 
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Dry Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Leaves - Significant/Slippery 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment:  
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: The water level is low on Morrison Brook. The first crossing of Morrison Brook on the Caribou Trail may be difficult in high water. I hike the loop clockwise in order to assess the brook crossing feasibility if there has been a lot of rain. All other brook crossings are easy. 
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes: Trail in good condition. Much of the trail is located in the Caribou-Speckled Mountain Wilderness Area so there are no blazes. One must take care to follow the pathway with the leaf cover in the open hardwood forest. The cairns are very small on the open ledges on the Mud Brook Trail. Any downed trees were easy to go over, under, or around. Any trees across the trail high above ground won't pose a problem as this loop is not used in the winter as route 113 is closed. 
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes: Fine for dogs. 
Bugs
Bugs: None 
Lost and Found
Lost and Found:  
 
Comments
Comments: This loop is mainly in deciduous forest. Consequently, the trails are covered in a thick layer of leaves. I did not find them particularly slippery. However, the leaves mask any underlying rocks, roots, or mud. Most of the trees are leafless. The upper elevation on the Mud Brook Trail passes through evergreen forest or on open ledges so there is no leaf cover in this stretch.
Just before reaching the third crossing of Morrison Brook on the Caribou Trail you can descend down the banking to get a good view of Kees Fall. Be careful on the steep slope with leaves. You can also view Kees Falls from the other side of the brook after the third crossing. There are some additional falls above Kees Falls.
There was a dusting of snow sprinkled here and there on the upper portion of the Caribou Trail. No need for any traction. It may have melted away in the PM.
Only saw three other people. A young man from Oregon studying at Bates and a couple from Minnesota.
Good views from the summit although clouds were descending upon the Presidential Range. Additional views from ledges on the Mud Brook Trail below the summit.  
Name
Name: WAUMBEK 
E-Mail
E-Mail: waumbek@roadrunner.com 
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2024-10-27 
Link
Link: https:// 
Bookmark and Share 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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