Blueberry Mountain - Stone House Trail - 2-4-2017

Hiking Trail Conditions Report
	Peaks	Blueberry Mountain, ME

	Trails:	Stone House Trail

	Date of Hike:	Saturday, February 4, 2017

	Parking/Access Road Notes:	Route 113 has numerous frost heaves and bumps so it is wise to drive a little slower. Parking for trail is off Stone House Road about 1.5 miles past Baldface Circle trail parking (right turn). Cross bridge and turn right at intersection onto road used as snowmobile trail - drive .1 mile to an area where 2 snowmobile trails continue on and the road to stone house goes straight ahead after a slight turn (left of the 2 snowmobile trails). You'll see a USFS trail sign (the snowmobile trail serves as a hiking trail over to deer hill) - park in the open area leaving room for the snowmobile traffic; room for about 3-4 cars and head up the road following the telephone poles. You'll need to follow the road 3/4 mile to the summer parking and then .5 miles further to the trailhead proper.

	Surface Conditions:	Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Snow - Unpacked Powder, Snow - Drifts

	Recommended Equipment:	Snowshoes

	Water Crossing Notes:	Small and all easily crossed

	Trail Maintenance Notes:	One new stepover blowdown at the Spur to the Gorge 1/4 mile in, 2 older stepovers further on

	Dog-Related Notes:	Dogs welcome if they stay on the trail thought postings against bear dogs. An easy walk for the canines - saw only one out today.

	Bugs:

	Lost and Found:


	Comments:	Evan Notch was the choice to the day. Opted for Blueberry Mountain for the views up top. Road walk to summer trailhead is packed out, past summer trailhead road packed with some windblown snow as you enter the clearing - stay to left to reach trailhead (sign). Lower part of stone house trail was hard packed with a dusting of new snow; a bit chewed up down low as we started up but is now smoothed out. Trail remained hard packed all the way to the top with an inch of new powder on top as one approached the summit. Perfect conditions for snowshoes. Loop trail to the view ledges was completely drifted in - broke out this trail to the first set of ledges on spots of hard packed snow but mostly working through a foot + of snow. Would have been tough without snowshoes but it is now well broken out. For those interested in heading up Blueberry ridge trail there was evidence of a track though it was old and now filled in with new snow - those proceeding further up should plan on snowshoes.

	Name:	Brian From Maine

	E-Mail:	brobert1@maine.rr.com

	Date Submitted:	2017-02-05

	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.