NewEnglandTrailConditions.com
NewEnglandTrailConditions.com:
MA
|
ME
|
NH
|
RI/CT
|
VT
|
Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks East Kennebago Mountain, ME
Trails
Trails: Snowmobile trail, herd path, bushwhack
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Saturday, December 27, 2014
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: Difficult. So much snow in Maine- could barely squeeze car to right of shoulder line. 
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Snow/Ice - Postholes 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment: Snowshoes, Skis 
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: last ditch was open water- how did the snow mobiles cross it?! 
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes: Blowdowns but not as bad as some trails! 
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes:  
Bugs
Bugs: Yes! Saw 3 or 4 bugs that looked like mosquitos. 
Lost and Found
Lost and Found:  
 
Comments
Comments: Set off on skis pulling my sled under gray skies and steady wind. Grateful for snow mobiles…and astounded as to where they go. Switched to snow shoes around mile 2.5 or so on the ATV/snow mobile route. Consolidated but deep snow and the use of the snow mobiles on the route made the 4 mile approach a cinch. There is a TON of snow in Northern Maine- more than I've seen anywhere.

Some snow mobiler went up the boundary path the route follows-removing any challenge left. At 3000 feet, I turned into the woods heading northwest and followed a few yellow blazes while they lasted. The snow was unbelievable! I never sunk anywhere though I saw moose post holes deeper than 3 feet. The hike was easier than summer/fall since the snow covered all the little spruce trees, yet spruce traps were never a threat. Signed in to the register in the canister- last hikers were up there 11/15. I could not easily follow my tracks back but had no problem angling back correctly. Saw 2 minks 20 minutes apart. Descent was 30-40 minutes.

Back at the base, I threw my skis on and enjoyed some exhilarating moments. After one wipe out where my sled crashed into me, I straddled the sled with skis on either side and had a blast- had to have hit 20 mph on some of those hills. Managed to avoid the few snow mobilers out. Descent on the ATV road was 45 minutes versus over 2 hours up. Back to car by 1. Can never get enough of Maine.  
Name
Name: Lucky Laura 
E-Mail
E-Mail: luckylaura95@yahoo.com 
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2014-12-27 
Link
Link: https:// 
Bookmark and Share 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.

Copyright 2009-2024, All Rights Reserved