| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mary's Mountain, Trout Pond, Stacy Mountain, Goe Mountain (attempt), Bald Ledge (Madison), Blazo Mountain, NH |
|
 | Trails: |
Unnamed trails, woods roads, bushwhacks, cart path, snowmobile trails, Shawtown Road |
|
 | Date of Hike: |
Sunday, October 2, 2022 |
|
 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
At the end of the unmaintained portion of Shawtown Rd. in Freedom. This section of the road is rough but passable by any vehicle with care. |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable |
|
 | Recommended Equipment: |
|
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Between Bald Ledge and Blazo, I crossed the infant Blaisdell Brook. Not a problem, but this area was quite muddy. |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
No issues on the formal hiking trails. |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
|
|
 | Bugs: |
|
|
 | Lost and Found: |
|
|
|
|
|
 | Comments: |
Some wandering in Freedom and Madison today.
I took marked hiking trails up and over Mary's Mountain (nice views from ledge outlooks), then down to a snomo trail that led me past Trout Pond. At a sharp right turn on this road, I bushwhacked straight up to the unrecognized summit of Stacy. Woods were open and logged.
An old cart path runs over Stacy, and I used that to get back down to Shawtown Rd. between Stacy and Blazo. I followed the road north in an attempt to do a short whack to Goe Hill, but the summit is surrounded by posted land. Here, I followed another snomo trail toward Bald Ledge, where I picked up an orange-blazed trail. The ledge itself has great views toward the hills in Eaton. The USGS topo is way off as far as where the high point of Bald Ledge is. It's obvious on the ground, but the spot elevation is well downhill and some distance away from the cairn.
From Bald Ledge, I bushwhacked down at an angle toward Blaisdell Brook, crossed it, then headed up to the wooded summit of Blazo. The USGS topo shows four bumps of similar elevation on top, but I only visited the one with the spot elevation shown. Woods on this bushwhack were a bit more arduous, with tighter trees and chest-high ferns, but still nothing terrible; lots of old skid roads out here. From Blazo, I aimed straight down for Shawtown Rd., soon hitting an old logging road that is not shown on any of the maps I have. I followed this down and then walked Shawtown Rd. back to the car.
This was an interesting loop and it appeared I was the only one out here all day. 8.2 mi. with about 2.5 mi. of pure bushwhacking. |
|
 | Name: |
KenM |
|
 | E-Mail: |
kmacgray@gmail.com |
|
| Date Submitted: |
2022-10-02 |
|
 | Link: |
 https:// |
|
|
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. |
|
