| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Rumford Whitecap, ME |
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 | Trails: |
Iles Trail, Starr Trail, Connector |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Monday, May 5, 2025 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Parked at the lot across the Iles trailhead. Porta-potty at lot. Donations accepted by the kiosk for helping the Mahoosuc Land Trust (MLT). |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Leaves - Significant/Slippery |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
A bridge spans the brook on the Connector Trail. All other brooks are small and easy to cross. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
No obstruction on the trails.
Water is running down the trail for about 100 yards above the junction of the Iles and Starr trails. The water is not deep.
The ledges above the aforementioned junction are marked by small cairns and faded blazes that aren't readily seen without care. It would be easy to stray off the path since the open ledges where the markings are infrequent and at times understated. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Fine for dogs. |
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 | Bugs: |
Mostly none. Did ingest one black fly. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
The weather forecast was much better for hikes to the north, so I headed to Rumford Whitecap. I had not hiked this mountain since '01 when the trailhead was off Coburn Brook Road rather than at East Andover Road.
I ascended via the Iles (Red/Orange) Trail and descended on the Starrs (yellow) Trail and used the Connector Trail to get back to the Iles Trail. After today's hike, I would recommend ascending on the steep Starrs Trail and returning on the gentler Iles Trail. I wouldn't want to hike the steep ledges on the Starr Trail on a rainy day or when there is ice. No snow or ice today. There is a USGS marker at the summit. The trail extends beyond the summit toward Black Mountain with faint blazes and small cairns (may not be official). I stopped once I got to the steep drop-off to the valley between Rumford Whitecap and Black Mountain.
Excellent views from the summit and the open ledges.
Nice cascades on the unnamed brook paralleling the Starr Trail including falls visible from the bridge on the Connector Trail.
Lots of Red Trillium and one Painted Trillium on the Starr Trail and at the trailhead.
Met for other hikers on the Iles Trail. All were from Maine.
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|
 | Name: |
WAUMBEK |
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 | E-Mail: |
waumbek@roadrunner.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2025-05-05 |
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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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