| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Lobster Mountain , ME |
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 | Trails: |
Lobster Mountain Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Monday, July 7, 2025 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Where there's my will, there's usually a way ;) Avoiding kayaking to any of these remote Maine redlines, I found a driving route. 1.5mi east of where Golden Rd crossed the West Branch of the Penobscot, I turned left (south) on what Gaia calls Lobster Trip Rd. The road crosses Lobster Streamright where it joins the West Branch about 3.5mi later, and, on Gaia, becomes Seboomook Rd. Follow Seboomook Rd for another 1.7mi, before bearing left on what Gaia calls Country Road 1 which I followed for 2.3mi before turning left (east) on Halfway Rd which I followed for almost 2.5mi to just beyond where Gaia shows it stopping. It turns to woods and becomes rougher and muddier (even high clerance 4WD) won't really be able to drive any further) shortly after where Gaia shows it stopping. I drove in from Millinocket and went through the Caribou Checkpoint ($18/day for non-residents, $13/day for residents, free for those 70 and older and younger than 18). Golden Rd is very, very bumpy at times but should be suitable for any car. The roads off of it became much narrower and at least a bit rougher if I recall; not sure if low clearance could do it or not. Definitely be careful where Gaia shows the road stopping and don't push your car too far down that road into the woods. I have a track if it's helpful. Also, I headed to Greenville after this which you can access by taking Sias Hill Rd on the souht side of Caribou Lake. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Wet Trail, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Mud - Significant |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
I'm not sure if there were any. If there were, they were insignificant. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Many blowdowns. A couple small leaners/duck unders immediately south of the pond, a mid-sized duck under 5-10min after the road and trail meet, a couple of widowmakers about 20min after, and one large blowdown that forces you to go around that I think was roughly in the same vicinity. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Sure |
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 | Bugs: |
There was a cloud of them around my car when I got out of it. It was like something out of a horror movie. At least dozens, if not hundreds, in my sight. Sketched me out. I think they remained throughout much of the rain too. Pretty sketchy. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
None |
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 | Comments: |
2nd hike of the day after "nearby" Alligash Mountain. With the weather forecast (wet trails from the night before and thunder/rain tonight), a lot of driving with minimal hiking made sense. Was also moving from Millinocket to Greenville so these hikes made about as much sense as they ever would. From the end of the road shown on Gaia, follow it into the woods to its jct (at a triangle due to people cutting the corner) with Lobster Mtn Trail. The road was very wet and muddy. I turned left (north) at the jct to take the trail down to Lobster Lake (quick and easy), then took it south to the lookout (the trail does not go to the true summit). As I recall, I really liked the trail, mostly finding easy-moderate grades and good footing, as, where it's become terribly eroded, there's now new trails forming to the side. About 1/3mi north of the end of the trail, a path leads west. Not sure where it goes. I believe there was also a trail continuing south along the ridge from the end of the trail (in addition to the second viewpoint). Started thundering, then a torrential downpour on my way down. Made the drive out on a grassy raised centerline road interesting...Gaia had me at 4.1mi, 1050ft of gain, 1hr53min. |
|
 | Name: |
Liam Cooney |
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 | E-Mail: |
liamcooney96@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2025-11-06 |
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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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