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Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks Tumbledown Mountain, Little Jackson Mountain, ME
Trails
Trails: Little Jackson Connector, Little Jackson Trail, Pond Link Trail, Brook Trail
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Tuesday, May 4, 2021
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: Trailhead parking is off of dirt/gravel surfaced Byron Rd in Weld. This road is not maintained in the winter. According to the sign it is “technically” closed from Nov 1 to May 1 but it is not gated. It is a good road that is passable by any vehicle. At the entrance to Byron Rd there is a DOT sign posted that says “Road Closed Ahead.” I assume this is for spring road repairs further down the road as the road was open to at least the Brook trailhead. I parked at the designated parking area for the Brook Trailhead (sign). 
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Dry Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Snow/Ice - Small Patches 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment:  
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: Nothing of significance. All are easily crossed. 
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes: Pond Link has a medium sized pine tree that fell over the trail. The thick branches make it hard to simply climb over. 
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes: Good trails for dogs. Many water points available. 
Bugs
Bugs: Grrrr... black flies in small, though still annoying, numbers. 
Lost and Found
Lost and Found: A shoe was left at the kiosk at the Brook Trail trailhead. ? I really can’t explain that one. 
 
Comments
Comments: Route:
Little Jackson Connector > Little Jackson Trail > Pond Link Trail > Brook Trail.

Tumbledown is in many ways analogous to Katahdin, in the sense that this is a completely unique and much treasured peak. Tumbledown’s allure cannot be explained unless you hike it. It is extraordinarily popular for this reason and is very crowed on weekends and holidays.

Thus I hike on a Tuesday with impending rain. Ah! The mountains to myself, mostly.

All trails are thoroughly blazed in blue with carins on the bare rock ledges. The blazes have been recently repainted. The Little Jackson / Jackson sign at the junction of Little Jackson Trail and Pond Link Trails is still on the ground. Otherwise, well placed and legible signs. The footbed is simple to discern on all trails.

There was no snow or ice. The tarn is ice free.

At the start of Brook trail there is a large kiosk and privy. The kiosk has a notice that says “No camping.” There is a ranger who patrols the summit in the summer. There are also multiple notices that say “Kindle No Fires.” Last year it was a $100 ticket if you were caught with a fire. So. Tumbledown and his neighbors Little Jackson and Jackson are open to day hikes. There are a plethora of other permitted backcountry camping spots after the trailheads (further down Byron rd) as this is public land. Byron Rd eventually connects to Coos Canyon where there is a great campground.  
Name
Name: Remington34 
E-Mail
E-Mail:  
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2021-05-04 
Link
Link: https:// 
Bookmark and Share 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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