Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
| Peaks |
Red Rock Mountain, Butters Mountain, Durgin Mountain, Speckled Mountain, ME |
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| Trails: |
Miles Notch Trail, Red Rock Trail, Bickford Brook Trail |
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| Date of Hike: |
Wednesday, June 21, 2017 |
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| Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Plenty of parking at Brickett Place (fee) on 113, and the same across from the Miles Notch Trail on Hut Road, grassy pullout for 4 or so cars (beware the ticks in the tall grass). |
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| Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Mud - Significant, Leaves - Significant/Slippery |
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| Recommended Equipment: |
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| Water Crossing Notes: |
All crossings were easy rock hops, water levels fairly low. The spring shown on maps below the summit of Speckled is apparently not too reliable, as it was basically dry, even with the rain recently. |
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| Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Miles Notch doesn't seem to see much use, or maintenance, as there were many old (sometimes large) stepovers, and a lot of leaners in the trail. Corridor is a bit brushy, mostly up toward the height of land, and is sometimes indistinct lower down. Red Rock in good shape overall, but has some old stepovers to deal with, looks to have seen some recent tree removal. Bickford Brook was in great shape. |
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| Dog-Related Notes: |
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| Bugs: |
Fairly annoying on Miles Notch, with black flies, mosquitoes, and horseflies all making an appearance. On the ridge, with the breezes, things were much better. |
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| Lost and Found: |
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| Comments: |
Paid a quick visit to the not often visited east ridge of Speckled Mountain, enjoying a run on a gorgeous day. Miles Notch was a tough customer, shooting up 500', only to drop 400', then a long sometimes steep climb to the notch, through really beautiful woods. Not sure that this trail has been traveled this year, as the corridor had deep compressed (yet undisturbed) leaf cover, which our tracks were very clearly evident in. Red Rock was amazing as always, serving up some steep climbs and descents, and one of the best viewpoints in the Whites. Saw our first people on Speckled, then cruised down Bickford Brook passing a solo hiker near the bottom. A really great route to get on some tough trails and make time, always good running with Nate. |
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| Name: |
Bill Robichaud |
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| E-Mail: |
bill.robichaud@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2017-06-22 |
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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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