| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Katahdin (Hamlin Peak), Mt. Katahdin (Baxter Peak), ME |
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 | Trails: |
Abol Stream Trail, Park Tote Road, Roaring Brook Road, Chimney Pond Trail, North Basin Trail, Hamlin Ridge Trail, Northwest Basin Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Tuesday, March 8, 2016 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Parked at Abol winter lot on the Golden Road, plowed but very icy |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Ice - Blue, Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Snow - Unpacked Powder, Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular, Snow - Drifts, Snow - Spring Snow |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes, Light Traction, Traction, Ice Axe, Skis |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Basin Ponds winter route open across the snow-covered ice |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
no pups allowed... |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
On Mon. 3/7, Joyce, Heather and I skied into Roaring Brook pulling our sleds. The first 5 miles were frozen granular with some ice. Roaring Brook Road was hard-packed snow. It snowed hard as we skied this section, about 4 inches by the time we made it to the bunkhouse, which was shared with a friendly crew (Tim, Chris, Whitney and co.) who had arrived the previous day. Due to Ranger Greg's weather updates, we decided to move our hike from Wed. to Tues. Saddle Trail was not recommended due to ice on the steeps and recent snowfall so Hamlin Ridge Trail was the ticket. On Tues. 3/8, we hiked from Roaring Brook in microspikes up Chimney Pond Trail (winter trail open across Basin Ponds), switched to snowshoes on the North Basin Trail (almost a foot of fresh powder and deeper drifts), back to microspikes on the spine of Hamlin Ridge Trail to Hamlin, with clouds finally starting to part as we summited. Prior to that: cloudy, socked in, and extremely windy. We were nearly blown off Hamlin Ridge. Weather improved throughout the day and we were blessed with perfect conditions for our hike on Northwest Basin Trail to Baxter Peak. Changed to crampons for the ascent from the saddle. Tim, Chris, Whitney, Kyle, Jason and George descending Baxter as we made our way up the final stretch- Jason and George finishing SSNE67-winter on this day--congrats to them! Blue sky and only light winds at the summit and could stay for a while to savor it. Retraced our same route for the way down, only option.
Great way to finish my winter New England 100 Highest, fortunate to be accompanied by 2 wonderful friends- Joyce and Heather. And thanks for the sign, Jason. Feeling thankful for so many who have helped me toward this goal which seemed pretty formidable at times. A huge team effort. |
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 | Name: |
Donna D |
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 | E-Mail: |
winnie@vermontel.net |
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| Date Submitted: |
2016-03-10 |
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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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