| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
West Kennebago Mountain, ME |
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 | Trails: |
Fire Wardens Trail, bushwhack |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, August 8, 2020 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Parking area for about 8 cars about 100 feet from the trailhead. There are probably several pullouts not far away if parking area was full. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
One tiny stream crossing that would not appear to be a problem at any time. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Two blowdowns down low and one up high. All are easily climbed over and/or have established bushwhacks around them. Some running water on trail, even though conditions were very dry. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
No problem. |
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 | Bugs: |
Minor blackflies on descent. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
Decided to check out the work that was done on the south summit and was glad I did. Last time I visited this summit, it was under construction. There is now a modern helipad at the summit, plus a large wooden platform in a clearing about 50 vertical feet below the summit. There is also a large communication tower, a summit building and a whole bunch of solar panels. Heard that this is all used by the Department of Homeland Security, but am not sure that this is true. The result of all this work is a much better view, compared to the two other times I was there. Easterly views include Kennebago Lake plus most of the Western Maine 4k peakss. Southerly and westerly views include Cupsuptic Lake, Mooselookmeguntic Lake, Johns Pond and a whole bunch of 2k and 3k peaks. The latter views never previously existed. Trail itself is a bit rough and eroded in spots, but nothing daunting. Tried to bushwhack to true (north) summit, which is about 30 feet higher than the trailed south summit. Made it to a bump in between them. It was not too bad as I found a nice herd path for about half the distance. Unfortunately, the herd path abruptly ended in a blowdown patch and a tall fern jungle. Looked all around the false summit/bump for an easy route to the true summit. Saw nothing but thick woods and blowdowns, so decided to turn around. Could not find the herd path on the way back, as I inadvertently deleted my GPS track (doh!) and had to fight my way back to the trail through some thick woods, blowdowns and a couple small cliffs. |
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 | Name: |
Marty |
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 | E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2020-08-09 |
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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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