| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Katahdin (Hamlin Peak), Mt. Katahdin (Baxter Peak), ME |
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 | Trails: |
Abol Stream Trail, Tote Road, Roaring Brook Road, Chimney Pond Trail, North Basin Trail, Hamlin Ridge Trail, Nortwest Basin Trail, Saddle Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Tuesday, March 8, 2016 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Parked at winter lot off Golden Road at Abol Bridge. Golden Road is a mix of pavement, ice, mud and dirt with numerous potholed sections |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Snow - Unpacked Powder, Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular, Snow - Drifts, Slush |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes, Light Traction, Traction, Ice Axe, Skis |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
No issues with the section past the winter register as of Wednesday, March 9th. Could be an issue after recent rain and warm up though, not sure though. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
No dogs allowed in the park |
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 | Bugs: |
snowfleas are out |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
Stayed at Roaring Brook Bunkhouse for three nights. Pulled our gear in with pulk sleds, Whitney skied the way in but we all hike the way out. Another group (Donna, Heater, and Joyce) skied in and out. Conditions might be a little sloppy right now with the recent warm up and rain after we left so walking in might be the way to go. Water was easily available down a small hill behind the bunkhouses and lean-tos.
There is still a lot of snow on Mount Katahdin. With the warming and freezing expect to use snowshoes, light traction, crampons, and ice axe throughout the hike up and down. We went up Hamlin Ridge and out the same way. The Saddle Trail was closed for avalanche danger after six inches of fresh snowfall on Monday. The Ranger gives daily weather updates and trail updates while you're in the park which helped us a lot. A pair of experienced ice climbers/mountaineers did go up the Cathedral Trail and out Hamlin Ridge.
Ended up being an incredible day of hiking as the clouds cleared off revealing breathtaking views. It was a great group to hike with (Whitney, Tim, Kyle, Jason and George). Congrats to Jason and George on completing the SSWNE67, an incredible accomplishment! Also great to meet Joyce, Heather and Donna, and congrats to Donna on completing her Winter NEHH, another extremely rare and incredible undertaking!
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 | Name: |
Chris and Tip-Toe |
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 | E-Mail: |
cdailey@hpearce.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2016-03-11 |
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 | Link: |
 https://dailey7779.blogspot.com/2016/03/the-cathedral-of-winter-hiking-in.html |
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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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