| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Little Deer Hill, ME |
|
 | Trails: |
Deer Hills Connector (attempt), Old Mine Road, Deer Hills Bypass, Deer Hills Trail, Frost Trail |
|
 | Date of Hike: |
Wednesday, February 10, 2021 |
|
 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Baldface Loop Parking Area was nicely plowed. After changing my plan, I parked at the end of the plowed portion of Deer Hills Road, where I would estimate there is probably parking for 3 - 4 cars. The road is not plowed as far as the eastern end of the Deer Hills trail, but it appears a number of people have skied or snowshoed the unplowed portion of the road. |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular |
|
 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes |
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
The dam across the Cold River has an approximately 6 foot gap in the middle of the dam and the water was rushing through and then disappearing under some ice. In my opinion, this is not safe crossing! |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
No issues. |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
None |
|
 | Bugs: |
None |
|
 | Lost and Found: |
None |
|
|
|
|
 | Comments: |
Deer Hills Connector (aborted), Old Mine Road, Deer Hills Bypass, Deer Hills Trail, Frost Trail
I originally planned to do both Big and Little Deer from Baldface Loop Parking Area. After seeing the dam crossing, I followed Conant Path back through Cold River Camp to my car. I then drove to the end of Deer Hills Road and headed up what I believe is know as Old Mine Road. Thanks to the Eastman family for allowing foot travel on their property! After a pleasant walk up the woods road, which appeared to have been used only by skiers or snowboarders, I intersected the Deer Hills Bypass, and followed it down to the opposite side of the dam. There was only one set of tracks on the Bypass until I got down to the River, but it was well tracked after that. Leach Link also appeared well tracked, but I turned up on Deer Hills trail, which was also well tracked. Little Deer Hill has several beautiful outlooks. The trail toward Big Deer was unbroken and considering the time of the day, I elected to head down Frost Trail back to the Bypass and down to my car instead. Of note, there was a snowshoe track to descender's left coming off the top that does not go to the Frost Trail or toward Big Deer, and heads into the woods rather than toward the open area shortly below the summit where the Frost and Ledges Trail split. |
|
 | Name: |
Jay Baxter |
|
 | E-Mail: |
jbaxtermdfacs@comcast.net |
|
| Date Submitted: |
2021-02-11 |
|
 | 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. |
|
