| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Deasey Mountain, Lunksoos Mountain, ME |
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 | Trails: |
Orin Falls Trail, International Appalachian Trail, Telos Tote Trail, Ed Werler Trail, bushwhack |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Sunday, July 6, 2025 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Rather than drive out to I-95, I took back roads between Millinocket and here. Unfortunately, I don't have a track of my route, but I can tell you that Google Maps, Waze, etc. seem not to know what they're doing here and it did take me a couple of tries. From Bates St in Milinocket, headed toward the southern gate of BSP, turn right onto dirt Staceyville Rd. I believe it was bumpy, but, at least at first, good for most any car. Due west of Whetstone Mtn, The road was entirely flooded and impassable. I then presumably cut across to the east and got in Roberts Rd but I seem to remember getting turned around a second time too, maybe by a gate, but I don't recall where. In any event, I did make it across to Katahdin Loop Rd somehow! Katahdin Loop Rd is a dirt road that should be suitable for any car. The turn down to Orin Falls I think may have involved some rougher driving and a narrower road. Room for over a dozen cars and the couple times I've been here, there's been a few at most. No fees. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
The crossing of Wassataquoik Stream was easily wadable; maybe knee deep. I forget why, but I crossed it about a 1/2mi downstream on my return trip (probably to save distance). There are definitely spots where it's deeper, but if you choose your line carefully, it can be pretty low. Keep in mind that water was also just generally low at this time. There are several other brook crossings but I don't remember them and I don't think any of them are close to being a wade under normal circumstances like Wassataquoik is. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
IAT/SIA markers on trees every so often; I think they were usually pretty regular. I don't think there was usually blazing beyond this on any of the trails, but Ed Werler Trail was marked with yellow diamonds. Occasional signage and usually wooden stakes in the ground at major turns off and on roads and such. One such post was on the ground about 10min after the Lunksoos Lean-To. The post at the jct of the Telos Rd and IAT was on the ground as well. I didn't take many photos of blowdowns on this hike, but I think there was a large duck under blowdown shortly after the wade. The trail is lightly travelled, but I don't think it was very hard to follow. Once down off of Lunksoos Mtn, it pretty much follows roads all the way to the Old Telos Rd (so another road) and these roads are VERY grown in at times. Not hard to follow, just push through, but at times it will feel like a bushwhack. It wasn't like this the whole way by any means. Jcts wit Ed Werler Trail were signed. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Sure |
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 | Bugs: |
They were awful. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
None |
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 | Comments: |
This was a big lollipop loop hike to finish redlining the sections of the IAT needed in the MMG. I hiked the loop part clockwise from the Orin Falls trailhead, walking the Orin Falls Trail (shown as High Water Trail on Gaia) to the jct with the IAT, then taking that across Wassataquoik Stream (wade), then to its jct with Ed Werler Trail. I turned left and hiked the IAT over Deasey and Lunksoos mountains, including the short spur to the true summit of Deasey, where the firetower is. Cool little firetower, absolutely stiffling inside with the heat and humidity of this day. People were kind enough to leave bug spray inside, and I think there was even toilet paper! Register as well. Pretty good view, though it is partially obscured by trees. I really enjoyed the summit of Lunksoos as well. Some steep grades coming up each, particularly after the cabin for a bit on Deasey, but nothing very scrambly. This is certainly the most interesting section of the IAT in the area. Beyond this, and immediately after, it's just roads, roads, roads. Once I reached the jct with the Telos Tote Trail and the IAT continues NW along the East Branch of the Penobscot, I turned SE along the Telos Rd to make a loop, rather than re-ascend. The road was in fine shape and easy walking. Ed Werler Trail is clearly lightly traveled. It seemed to follow a road, then the road deteriorated, so I stayed on the road, only to realize I was off trail. I bushwhacked for a bit, eventually coming back on the trail, which is actually marked pretty frequently. It shouldn't be too hard to follow; I think I was just being stupid. On my long hike back out, I cut across Wassataquoik Stream early and hiked the High Water Trail west back to the car. Got out before the rain! Gaia had me at 22.2mi, 2600ft of gain, 10hhr15min. |
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 | Name: |
Liam Cooney |
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 | E-Mail: |
liamcooney96@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2025-10-13 |
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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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