| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Barren Mountain , ME |
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 | Trails: |
Herd path, Appalachian Trail, road walk |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, July 12, 2025 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Signs make it clear that you are on private property when driving into the parking for the informal side trail, and that only daytime hiking (no camping) is allowed. I think that all the roads in were in pretty good shape, and only the spur road off of Bodfish Valley Rd to the trailhead was narrower and a little rougher. Note that my friend's GPS tried to tell him that he could drive in from the north (presumably on Long Pond Stream Haul Rd shown on Gaia), but you can't. Furthermore, as the guidebook indicates, the final 0.3mi along this "Greenville Approach" is not suitable for most cars. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Mud - Significant |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
I think the only water crossing was of Long Pond Stream, which is described in the guidebook as usually a knee-deep ford, with a fixed rope available for use. My very tall friend, with the use of the rope, and waterproof boots I think, was just barely able to get across with dry feet. I think I tried a slightly different spot, without the rope, but where water seemed lower, and may have gotten across with dry feet. Water was definitely low and it would have definitely have been rock hopable later in the summer with the severe drought, but it was difficult even this time of year, without wading across. Avoid in high water. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
The "informal side trail" was easy to follow, but I don't recall it being marked with surveyor's tape at all. The AT is blazed in white. I don't recall the frequency, but easy to follow. I think there were some blowdowns, and Chris took care of at least one or two of them. I think that all trail signs were intact. There isn't one at the start of the informal side trail. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Most hiking dogs will probably be okay with the steepness/minor scrambling along the AT here. Be careful with dogs if crossing Long Pond Stream. |
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 | Bugs: |
Probably awful |
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 | Lost and Found: |
None |
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 | Comments: |
Chris came to visit me for a few days during my "Summer in Maine", and we hiked together. Unfortunately, his GPS tried telling him he could drive in from the north, which you cannot. He had to park where the guidebook described the "Greenville Approach", cross the stream, and walk the 1/2mi or so to my car. Luckily, he got there early and arrived to me only a little late. We hiked in the "informal side trail" 0.7mi long (the "Monson Approach" for redlining), then hiked the AT northbound to Barren Mtn. Along the way, we'd intended to do the spur to Barren Ledges, but this was closed due to nesting perigrine falcons (I think the closure is often April-August, at minimum). Still great views from nearby ledges though. On the way back to the car, we redlined the "Greenville Approach"and followed the AT Southbound (as opposed to the informal side trail), following Long Pond Stream, then crossing it on the AT to reach where Chris had to park. I hiked the 0.3mi from where he parked to where the guidebook recommends you park (the road is very rough), then recrossed Long Pond Stream and took a very short side trail (0.1mi) that connects the AT to the informal side trail. Note that I don't think this short connector is actually mentioned in the guidebook but it's shown on Gaia, easy to follow, and may have even been signed (but don't take my word on that!). We also hiked the short side trail to Long Pond Stream Lean-To.
The informal side trail wasn't marked in any way as the guidebook says it is but is easy to follow. Even in this very dry season, it lived up to its reputation as incredibly muddy (when I went back a month or two later to redline the Barren Ledges Spur, the mud, incredibly, had dried out; cool to see the difference, but also a bit scary). Beyond this, I think the trails were pretty dry. From its jct with the informal side trail, to the ridgeline, the AT is similar to what it is in NH: steep and rugged. Nothing real scrambly or anything, but this is one of the harder sections of the AT in the area. Minimal views from the summit unless you climb what I dub one of the "minimalisitc" ladders on the firetower, which I did not. We ran into a few other hikers, but I don't think any were thru-hikers yet in the season.
Gaia had us at 8.4mi, and about 2225ft of gain. |
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 | Name: |
Liam Cooney and Christopher Cameron |
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 | E-Mail: |
liamcooney96@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2025-11-26 |
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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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