Third Hill - Great Marsh Trail, Third Hill Trail, Bobcat Trail, Ledge Trail - 4-15-2020

Hiking Trail Conditions Report
	Peaks	Third Hill, ME

	Trails:	Great Marsh Trail, Third Hill Trail, Bobcat Trail, Ledge Trail

	Date of Hike:	Wednesday, April 15, 2020

	Parking/Access Road Notes:	The trail starts at the end of Old County Rd in South Berwick. There is also a house here and a sign saying â€œNo parking: bus turnaroundâ€. There was a small, crude looking parking area which was close to the sign but where I assumed we were supposed to park. Just to be sure, I drove back a ways to where I saw someone gardening and asked if Iâ€™d be good to park there. She was very kind and said thatâ€™d be fine and that it was rarely hiked. She also warned me about the huge puddles on trail.

	Surface Conditions:	Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Mud - Significant

	Recommended Equipment:

	Water Crossing Notes:	Great Marsh Trail is inundated with water at times. There are big foot plus deep puddles at several points. Usually not too hard to bushwhack around but just an FYI. Some of these puddles are draining so there was a little water crossing or two there.

	Trail Maintenance Notes:	The trails are blazed but a bit sparsely. I wouldnâ€™t be concerned as they were all easy to follow anyway. There are some cool owls tacked to trees around some of the trail jcts as well :) All trails were blazed in white except Great Marsh Trail which was blazed in...lavender?? Not really sure what to call that color. There was one old step over blowdowns on Great Marsh Trail. No problems. All trails were well signed although the trailhead for Great Marsh Trail isnâ€™t seen until slightly past the parking area. Just follow the road.

	Dog-Related Notes:	None seen but they should be fine. Watch out for porcupines though!

	Bugs:	None that I noticed.

	Lost and Found:	None. Carried out a small piece of trash.


	Comments:	Great Marsh Trail to northern jct with â€”> Third Hill Trail to southern jct with Great Marsh Trail â€”> Third Hill back up to Bobcat Trail â€”> Bobcat Trail â€”> Ledge Trail and Third Hill Trail to summit again â€”> down Ledge Trail back to Great Marsh Trail â€”> out Great Marsh Trail. High forties and windy to start at 5:15pm and mid forties when I finished at 7:15pm. I think the wind died down while I was out there. Partly sunny. The trails were fairly dry other than humongous puddles on Great Marsh Trail. I have to imagine theyâ€™re there year around just usually a bit smaller. Some have clear paths around or alongside them. Mud in these areas obviously but not much elsewhere. Not a lot of wet rock or leaves but there was some water running down Ledges on Ledge Trail but it didnâ€™t seem to make the rocks very slippery. I saw a porcupine on Ledge Trail which was also my favorite trail here. Cool ledges (limited views though) without really being steep. No views from the top of Third Hill as itâ€™s wooded but you could see the ocean through the trees. You also got glimpses through the trees on Third Hill Trail south of the summit towards Second Hill and Third Hill. I didnâ€™t see anyone else on trails other than a local kid playing around in the woods on my return. Trails are easy to follow. Another redline bites the dust :) 4.5-5mi with and about 500ft of gain.

	Name:	Liam Cooney

	E-Mail:	liamcooney96@gmail.com

	Date Submitted:	2020-04-15

	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.