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Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks Mt. Coe, South Brother, North Brother, Fort Mountain, ME
Trails
Trails: Mt. Coe Trail, South Brother Spur, Marston Trail, herd path
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Saturday, June 22, 2019
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: Parking at Slide Dam 
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment:  
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: A couple small crossing which were easily avoidable by rock hopping 
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes:  
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes:  
Bugs
Bugs: Bugs (specifically mosquitoes) were terrible below treeline 
Lost and Found
Lost and Found:  
 
Comments
Comments: We started off on the pleasant Marston Trail for approx. 1.3 miles, then headed up the Mt Coe Trail until the Mt Coe slide which ascends over 1,000 feet to the summit. The slide was not terribly difficult, even when it rained and hailed while we hiked up. Very nice views at the Coe Summit. The trail then winds down and around for approx 1.8 miles to the S. Brother spur trail. The S. Brother summit is 0.3 miles from this intersection and also has very nice views. Back down on Mt Coe trail the trail then winds approx 0.6 miles over to the Marston Trail intersection & North Brother. The Marston Trail then climbs steadily up for almost one mile and is basically in a stream the entire way until you hit above treeline. The views from when you pop out of treeline to the North Brother summit are spectacular. The summit of N. Brother was very windy, and we could see 360 degrees out onto the surrounding landscape. If you are feeling adventurous, there is a herd path leading to the remote Mt. Fort from this summit. There are cairns to the left when standing at the summit sign that you follow off the N. Brother summit. If you find a fork in the path (when still basically above treeline) veer left. The path then winds down (you don't lose too much in elevation) and across a saddle before the climb up to the Mt. Fort Summit. The herd path was distinct at the foot level, yet in many places where the vegetation is low lying, it can be a little difficult to see, so you just really have to pay attention to your feet. At times the shorter trees do get thick, so pants and long sleeves were necessary. There were 3 blowdowns along the way, but nothing too difficult to get around. Just pay attention to where the herd path goes. Once you start climbing up again (not a huge elevation change) there are several cairns marking the way to the summit, as the summit is also above treeline. There you get a very unique view of Baxter State Park and Mt Katahdin. It made for a very cool bushwhack. It took about an hour from the N. Brother summit to the Mt. Fort summit moving steadily, but staying attentive. Retracing our steps back to N. Brother was pretty easy. From the N. Brother summit we took the Marston Trail for approx 4.6 miles back down to the car to complete the loop. On this day we saw sun, rain, hail and strong winds. It was really the most wild weather I have ever experienced above treeline as we could see individual storm cells and clouds forming in the distance. Many of them missed us, but we were hit a couple of times with rain and hail - never for long periods of time however due to the strong winds. The bugs (specifically mosquitoes) were absolutely vicious at the trailhead and for a couple of miles up the trail. DEET was necessary to keep our sanity! All in all a great hike in one of the most wild and beautiful areas of Maine!  
Name
Name: The Trail Widow 
E-Mail
E-Mail: kconte181@gmail.com 
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2019-06-26 
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.

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