| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Second Hill, ME |
|
 | Trails: |
Great Marsh Trail, Darter Trail, Notch Trail, Incline Trail, Ridge Trail, Wheel Trail |
|
 | Date of Hike: |
Sunday, April 19, 2020 |
|
 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
It was hard to know where to park as I didn’t have a trail description for Great Marsh Trail. We drove down Old Mountain Rd and there appeared to be a small parking area toward the end of it (I believe this was where the pavement ended)...but it was surrounded by signs that said it was private property and to not park there. So we headed further down the road intersecting with many driveways right to the start of the trail. The was no sign for it or parking spot, but we could have pulled off enough to not be in anyone’s way. Just then a group of runners come out of the trail so we asked them who had no idea. Lucky for us, a landowner came out and told us that was private property and we couldn’t park there. He said there was a parking area up the road and to the right. We had bore right to get there so from the main road just continue straight and as the road gets worse and curves left, there is a parking area. We were the first cars there but I was surprised to see a few more upon our return around 2:30pm. It’s wide open so no chance of it overflowing :) |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Mud - Significant |
|
 | Recommended Equipment: |
|
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
One small rock hop on Great Marsh Trail. Other than that, just large puddles to negotiate. |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
The Great Marsh Trail, while blazed in lavender at the north end, was not blazed at the south end. I believe blazing started about 0.7mi in when it met Darter Trail. Fatter, Incline, and Ridge trails were blazed in white (hiking and biking) and Notch Trail was blazed in like green (multiple use). The trails aren’t always blazed all that frequently but are still easy to follow. I blowdowns that I recall. The Agamenticus trails all seem well taken care of :) |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Saw two. Both unleashed and with different owners. Both were well behaved except when one of them shook the mud and water it had just bathed in onto our friend 😂 |
|
 | Bugs: |
Yesterday, nothing. Today, black flies. Not bad, but that happened fast. I don’t think they were biting just yet but there were enough out that they swarmed at times. |
|
 | Lost and Found: |
Some (clean...?) tissues were found on the summit of Second Hill that my father packed out. |
|
|
|
|
 | Comments: |
Mom, dad, and a friend of ours got out for a little hike on Sunday. Started in the 50s and only got warmer as the day went on although we could definitely feel the wind at times. With this hike finished, I am now done redlining the trails around Agamenticus as per the MMG. There are other trails not in the MMG that I haven’t done that I’ll likely do at some point though :)
Great Marsh Trail (southern end) —> Darter —> Notch —> Incline —> Ridge to summit —> Ridge —> Notch —> Wheel —> Great Marsh. This was essentially the “Third to Second Hill Trailâ€, then the “Second to Third Hill Trail†as described in the MMG.
The southern end of Great Marsh Trail still had some large puddles but wasn’t as bad as the northern end that I’d been on earlier in the week. Not sure if it’s always better or if the difference was just due to a couple days more of no rain. Beyond that, the trails were generally dry, with just occasional mud and puddles.
The trails are easy to follow but note that this southern end of Great Marsh intersects with some other roads near an active quarry. It is clearly signed telling you not to trespass. Whenever you come to a jct along Great Marsh Trail just take the road that is furthest to the left.
We saw about a half dozen people out the first of which wasn’t until we made it to Second Hill just shy of noon. Everyone was kind and responsible. |
|
 | Name: |
Liam Cooney |
|
 | E-Mail: |
liamcooney96@gmail.com |
|
| Date Submitted: |
2020-04-21 |
|
 | 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. |
|
