http://www.vftt.org/forums/ trail conditions in Maine en Sat, 18 May 2013 19:03:50 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.vftt.org/forums/images/misc/rss.png http://www.vftt.org/forums/ http://www.vftt.org/forums/showthread.php?49056-Saddleback-amp-The-Horn&goto=newpost Wed, 15 May 2013 22:31:17 GMT Date of Hike: 5/14/13, Tuesday

Trail & Mts: Saddleback ski slopes to Saddleback, AT to The Horn.

Trail Conditions: Large sections of hard packed man-man snow still on the slopes, no snow on the sides of the ski trails, but muddy, better off on the snow. Dry with no snow on the higher parts of the AT , but still some sections of deep mono-rails in the valleys . Early in the day there was some surface ice on rocks, but melted into surface water by 10am.
Special equipment: The whole hike could be bare boots. I started bare boots but used spikes halfway up the slopes. Bare booted from top of slope for rest of hike with no problems. Poles with good tips help on some of the steeper rock faces on east side of SB (I was glad I just replaced my tips). Snow shoes definitely not needed.

Comments: Was a great day for my first Maine 4k. Very windy but clear on top of SB but it calmed down when I got to the Horn and was calm by the time I got back to SB. Moose tracks and skat all over the trails, even on the peak of Horn. Only post holes I saw in the snow was deep ones from a moose. Temps were 30-40 at first but it got up to 50 when I repeaked SB. Snow on trial up was hard and bumpy so didn’t really need traction. Chose to go down under the ski lift by then snow was soft on top and was able to boot slide a lot of it. ]]> Maine 1SlowHiker http://www.vftt.org/forums/showthread.php?49056-Saddleback-amp-The-Horn http://www.vftt.org/forums/showthread.php?48983-Haystack-Notch-Trail-from-Trailhead-on-Rt-113-(07-May-2013)&goto=newpost Wed, 08 May 2013 22:07:41 GMT Starting at the trailhead on Rt. 113, hiked for about 3.2 miles on the Haystack Notch Trail (and then simply retraced the route on the return leg). Water levels were low, and so all brook crossings were easy. There were a few rather significant blowdowns, some of which required off-trail... Starting at the trailhead on Rt. 113, hiked for about 3.2 miles on the Haystack Notch Trail (and then simply retraced the route on the return leg).

Water levels were low, and so all brook crossings were easy. There were a few rather significant blowdowns, some of which required off-trail workarounds. There were, of course, some muddy spots, but all were easy to negotiate.

The trail can be challenging to follow in some spots. This corridor is only lightly used, and therefore the treadway is very faint in some places. Also, trail blazing is sparse in the non-wilderness section, and of course non-existent within the Caribou-Speckled Mountain Wilderness area.

The trek also included an off-trail bushwhack to some beaver meadows and ponds.

Photos are available HERE. ]]> Maine 1HappyHiker http://www.vftt.org/forums/showthread.php?48983-Haystack-Notch-Trail-from-Trailhead-on-Rt-113-(07-May-2013) http://www.vftt.org/forums/showthread.php?48972-Old-Speck-via-Speck-Pond-Mahoosuc-Spur-and-Old-Speck-Trails-5-6&goto=newpost Tue, 07 May 2013 18:24:48 GMT Date of Hike: May 6, 2013

Trail Conditions: We had a Plan B, but since Success Pond Rd was open we decided to stick with Plan A: Old Speck via the pond. We started on the Speck Pond Trail which, naturally, didn't look like anyone had been on it since 2012. It took a little longer than normal because blazes are nearly non-existent most of the way up, but we were able to accurately re-find the trail. It started dry (though we took the bushwhack around the first two crossings as the water was moving well), then got muddy, then offered up minor ice floes and snow. The snow got deep and was largely unsupportive. Tons and tons of winter moose and rabbit sign -- it was Kibbles and Bits the whole way up -- but we spotted none (we heard one snort off the trail on the way down and another crashing in the woods on the road walk back). The Mahoosuc Trail was the same way, albeit slightly firmer, but the snow on the north-facing half mile to the shelter was very deep. It's like a bowl up there (lack of sun on that slope, plus the wind eddy caused by the west winds over the ridge). The ice cover on the pond was nearly complete, still. Headed back up toward the summit via the south-facing part of the trail there are initially steep ice floes changing over to dry rock and some softer snow. The Spur to the summit was a well-packed out monorail with the clearing mostly snow-free. (Gray Jays were happy to see us -- our third encounter in the last three hikes.) Old Speck Trail, on which we descended, started off like the Spur, then turned into minor ice floes, rock, mud, running water, and dry soil. A mixed bag, for sure, but, barring the Spur, it was the easiest trail of the hike. Crossings were all easy.

Important: It is not currently possible to do this route with a car spot unless you want to drive all the way around. Success Pond Rd is open, but cannot be fully traversed due to a culvert being put in (or whatever is going on). We walked back the 8 or so miles so we crossed this barrier via stream rock hops. What a great walk it was. Long yes, but it is so wild and remote feeling, and nice. We stopped to drink at the Mountain Fountain and, of course, replaced the dipper.

Special Equipment Used: Snowshoes will be extremely helpful on large parts of this hike. Spikes, too. And on one small part crampons would have been nice. Trekking poles were helpful for probing and balance. Safety glasses might also be useful for the bushwhack, and due to the in-your-face canopy in the still-deep snow sections at the higher elevations, but the latter wasn't as significant a problem as I've been seeing.

Comments: Hiked this one with my friend Theresa and we saw no one all day. Even on the road walk back we saw only two vehicles headed east on 26. It was like Maine up there, lol. We had an incredible adventure. I had hiked this whole range on a backpack when I was a kid, but didn't remember it. Now having visited this area again, I know I want to go back. The beauty and wildness of it all is virtually unrivaled by anything in the Whites. Simply breathtaking.

Mike "Tramper" Cherim
Nottingham NH ]]> Maine NH Tramper http://www.vftt.org/forums/showthread.php?48972-Old-Speck-via-Speck-Pond-Mahoosuc-Spur-and-Old-Speck-Trails-5-6 http://www.vftt.org/forums/showthread.php?48947-Saddleback-amp-The-Horn-5-4-13&goto=newpost Sun, 05 May 2013 19:30:13 GMT Date of Hike: 5/4/13 Trails: Ski area trails and Appalachian Trail Trail Conditions: Still snow on the upper 2/3 of the ski area trails. Ridge from Saddleback Summit to the Horn is almost all dry and open. There are patches of spruce along the ridge and there is deep snow with postholes... Date of Hike: 5/4/13

Trails: Ski area trails and Appalachian Trail

Trail Conditions: Still snow on the upper 2/3 of the ski area trails. Ridge from Saddleback Summit to the Horn is almost all dry and open. There are patches of spruce along the ridge and there is deep snow with postholes in the spruce.

Special Equipment Required: Used snowshoes for traction on the ski area trails. Bare boots from the top of the ski area to the actual Saddleback summit. And used bare boots over and back to The Horn.

Comments: What a beautiful weekend. I carried a full backpack to the top of the ski area and slept overnight at the top of the ski area. No wind, night temperature was below freezing. But during the daytime the temperatures were in the 60s and the snow is melting fast. I saw 2 moose on the ski area access road, and there were fresh footprints on the ski trails. Decaying moose droppings are all over the top of The Horn. The ridge walk from Saddleback to The Horn is wide open, a classic New England hike with great views, especially to Rangeley Lake. ]]> Maine sleepy_mike http://www.vftt.org/forums/showthread.php?48947-Saddleback-amp-The-Horn-5-4-13 http://www.vftt.org/forums/showthread.php?48927-Rumford-Whitecap&goto=newpost Fri, 03 May 2013 12:43:05 GMT I was wondering if anyone could tell me what the conditions are on the trail up Rumford Whitecap? I was wondering if anyone could tell me what the conditions are on the trail up Rumford Whitecap? ]]> Maine hotpockets http://www.vftt.org/forums/showthread.php?48927-Rumford-Whitecap http://www.vftt.org/forums/showthread.php?48797-old-speck-4-21-13&goto=newpost Mon, 22 Apr 2013 02:24:37 GMT date: 4/21/13 trails: road walk, snowmobile trail, abandoned firewardens trail/old a.t., bushwack, mahoosuc trail, appalachian trail conditions: we parked in the usual lot in the notch and walked a short distance back down the road looking for the start of the old firewardens trail. we... date: 4/21/13

trails: road walk, snowmobile trail, abandoned firewardens trail/old a.t., bushwack, mahoosuc trail, appalachian trail

conditions: we parked in the usual lot in the notch and walked a short distance back down the road looking for the start of the old firewardens trail. we had to look a bit, but basically look for the old 2 hole privy right off the snowmobile trail and a short distance north (back up towards the parking lot) there is a red arrow and old green flagging which signals the start. we weren't sure we were on it for a couple hundred yards, but then it became very clear. spotty snow to start then full coverage as the trail ascended steeply up to the site of the old firewardens cabin. probably 2-3 feet at this point. 4+ higher up. definitely some sign in the snow of people on it before us from the cabin site down including some old ski tracks. given the recent cool temps the snow base was nice and solid. there were a suprising number of old white blazes given how long it has been since this was the route of the a.t. the abandoned link trail up to the current route of the a.t. was clear where it left the cabin site. i did not note where the abandoned east spur trail left this area. we were able to find some old blazing and an old a.t. sign at continued to follow the firewardens trail for a bit then lost it in the open woods. here the trail and woods, which had been continously steep, became very steep going right up the fall line of the ravine. moslty open woods led us up onto the upper section of the mountains east spur which had deep crusty snow with some exposed rock and great views. one last steep push was followed by a short stretch of thick fir/spruce before popping out maybe 75 yards from the summit. the a.t. heading back down to the parking lot had numerous post holes and some monorail and feet of snow still remaining. the snow became quite soft down low. brook crossings were easily hoppped or still snowbridged.

equipment: we started out in boots, but quickly went to snowshoes and wore them the rest of the hike minus the last tenth of a mile.

comments: a great day on old speck. the abandoned firewardens trail was a very interesting and challenging climb. i can see where it would have gotten a reputation for steepness. well deserved. the open rock on the east spur had the best views i have gotten on old speck. some dramatic looks down the steep slopes to grafton notch and long range views to the mountains to the east. thanks to jeremy and eric for a great hike.

bryan

bryancuddihee@yahoo.com ]]> Maine bryan http://www.vftt.org/forums/showthread.php?48797-old-speck-4-21-13