| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Library Cascades, Upper Cascades, Chapman Cascades, ME |
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 | Trails: |
Summit Ridge Trail, Bingham Cascades Trail |
|
 | Date of Hike: |
Friday, October 30, 2020 |
|
 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
The Locke Mountain Road to the parking lot closes for the winter on Monday. |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Leaves - Significant/Slippery, Snow/Ice - Small Patches |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
All streams can be hopped without much trouble |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
This trail opened last week so it is easy to follow and clear of blowdowns. However, because it's so new, there is not yet a compacted footbed. |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Would be a good hike for dogs! |
|
 | Bugs: |
Nope |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
I decided to hike the new Bingham Cascades Trail in the Bethel Community Forest today before the Locke Mountain Road closes for the season on Monday. The trail starts at the main trailhead for the Forest and diverges from the Summit Ridge Trail just past Picnic Knoll. It follows sections of footpath and old logging road through mixed forest, before reaching the loop trail to the waterfalls.
The loop is about a mile long and has three spur trails leading to a few areas of cascades, Library Cascades, Upper Cascades, and Chapman Cascades. Library Cascades and Chapman Cascades have one main set of falls, while the Upper Cascades have a series of about 6 main drops. They are all very scenic and interesting in their own ways.
The total distance of the hike was about 7 miles and I only saw one group of two people. It's a great hike to some waterfalls which are still in rather pristine states and I can only hope it doesn't get too crowded in the future. |
|
 | Name: |
Sam Shirley |
|
 | E-Mail: |
newenglandskier13@aol.com |
|
| Date Submitted: |
2020-10-30 |
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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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