| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Peak of the Ridges, The Traveler, North Traveler, ME |
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 | Trails: |
South Branch Campground Road, Pogy Notch Trail, Center Ridge Trail, Traveler Mountain Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, July 31, 2021 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Day use lot at South Branch was mostly full at 0900 (we slept in) |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
No issues |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
No issues, well blazed and cairned. Though it's odd they painted white over the blue blazes |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
A truly fine day above and below the forest in the Penobscot Nation. This is one of the finest hikes I have ever been able to do. I cannot reccommend this one enough - though despite its seemingly diminutive high point of 3551 - it boasts over 3700 feet of gain. It's a little shy of a trip to Katahdin. This hike is quintessential Maine, a lot of everything, but not for very long. Even a few days later, I am still smiling. This hike starts at the day use lot at South Branch Campground. You will walk up the camp road, past site #7 and there you will find the beginning of Pogy Notch Trail. The guidebook suggests going counter clock wise, which is a wise choice due to terrain. Pogy Notch trail is a lovely walk in the forest, with Lower South Branch Pond and then Upper South Branch Pond on your right (and the loons singing). Just before the intersection of Center Ridge Trail, it swings left and begins a steep ascent to the junction. At the junction it becomes a mixed bag of ledges, gorgeous duff floor, and bouldering mixed in. These trail conditions would persist through the hike. The blueberries are worth noting to Peak of the Ridges, and again from North Traveler to Pogy, are so bountiful that we all more or less ate our weight in them. Several out with tupperware containers full of them. Absolutely delightful. From Peak of the Ridges to Traveler Ridge is an amazing stretch that rivals trails out West, or at the very least sections of its southern massif neighbor on the Knife's Edge. The tallus field approaching The Traveler was one of the coolest things I have ever been on, its about 3/8 of a mile of side sloping loose rock. Your ankles will hate you but your eyes will love you. A steep descent off North Traveler was made more bearable by the blueberries. In total on this hike, a severly bruised tailbone, a black/blue/yellow swollen knee with a bruise the size of a baseball, and a wrapped up ankle missing a quarter size piece of skin. Only Deep End Dan did not leave blood in tribute on this one. Sparrow and I should not be allowed to hike in BSP together, last time it was a crown and a bone graf - and a black eye, bloody nose and broken glasses. ha ha, |
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 | Name: |
The Teal Goat, Sparrow, Stubby, Deep End Dan |
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 | E-Mail: |
sea2thebiscuit@yahoo.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2021-08-03 |
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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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