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Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks Blueberry Mountain, ME
Trails
Trails: Shell Pond Trail, Stone House Trail, Overlook Loop, White Cairn Trail, Shell Pond Loop
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Thursday, July 1, 2021
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: Parked in small lot (2 or 3 vehicles) off the Deer Hill Road (FR9). The forest road is smooth gravel. 
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Dry Trail, Standing/Running Water on Trail 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment:  
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: No significant water crossings that are not bridged. Many of the seasonal waterways are dry. 
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes: The CTA is keeping the trails in good condition. The switchbacks on the Stone House Trail are mitigating any erosion as are the rock steps on the White Cairn Trail. No problematic obstructions. A few blow downs on the Shell Pond Loop Trail that are easy to walk around or step over. 
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes: Fine for dogs. Saw none today. 
Bugs
Bugs: There were many flying insects that were bothersome at the lower elevations. I had one tick that was probably picked up in the grassy section of the Shell Pond Trail. The grassy areas have been mowed but lawns near forest often harbor ticks. 
Lost and Found
Lost and Found:  
 
Comments
Comments: I had never hiked these trails as I have visited Blueberry Mountain via Blueberry Ridge Trail many times on the way to Speckled Mountain. The trails were very entertaining as the Shell Pond Trail had the unusual trek through the "orchard" and the "airstrip", the Stone House trail had side trails to the attractive Rattlesnake Gorge with cascade from a bridge and Rattlesnake Pool that is surrounded by mossy ledges, the Overlook Loop has great views of the forested hills and ponds (if you're lucky you might see a peregrine falcon), the White Cairn Trail has beautiful views of South Baldface, Basin Pond, and the Evans Notch area, and Shell Pond Loop provides nice views of the pond especially from a bench on a short side trail. I was happy ascending Stone House and descending White Cairn as it allowed me to see the views from the open ledges on White Cairn without turning around.
The trail crosses through the "orchard" in a more or less straight path and it follows two tire tracks in the "airstrip". The sign for the Stone House Trail can be seen from the "airstrip" to the west of the cluster of houses. One building had a sign for the Stow Airport. I have not witnessed any airplanes landing in this strip. The upper part of the White Cairn Trail is on ledges that may be tricky if wet or icy.
Many pink flowers of the Laurel on the open ledges of Blueberry Mountain. There are many red pines on the summit ledges. Blueberries are available to pick on the summit ledges.
Met a hiker from California, two NYC doctors, and a woman from North Conway. There were two ATVs on Shell Pond Loop Trail. Many signs for private property and hunting restrictions (not before Oct 15 and not bears or moose)  
Name
Name: WAUMBEK 
E-Mail
E-Mail: waumbek@roadrunner.com 
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2021-07-01 
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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