| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Colonel Holman Mountain, ME |
|
 | Trails: |
Snowmobile trails, logging road |
|
 | Date of Hike: |
Thursday, September 2, 2021 |
|
 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Started from Common Road where I parked in the shoulder of the road. Ended at Rollins Ridge Road where there is plenty of room to park at the end of the maintained road. |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable |
|
 | Recommended Equipment: |
|
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
No significant unbridged crossings. The bridge over Beaver Brook near the outlet of the pond is usable, but in rough shape. |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Snowmobile/ATV trails are maintained to various degrees, but are all clear and easy to follow |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
|
|
 | Bugs: |
Very few |
|
 | Lost and Found: |
|
|
|
|
|
 | Comments: |
This afternoon I decided to explore a mountain not too far away from where I live that I had never been to before. Colonel Holman Mountain is located in Dixfield and has a few options for ascending it. I first tried the approach from Ludden Lane, but the road was gated about a mile in, which would have made for quite a long hike. Instead, I decided to drive over to Common Road and try to ascend via the snowmobile trail from the west side of the mountain.
After parking on the roadside, I started up the wide, grassy trail. It climbed steadily up the mountain before reaching a gate near the top of the climb. After going around the gate, I was surprised to see no trespassing signs on the gate facing the other direction. This was strange because I definitely didn't pass any on the way up facing the way I was going. They were rather old, but I didn't want to take any chances, so I ended up arranging for my girlfriend to give me a ride back to my car from another trailhead after I descended.
From here, the trail soon crossed Beaver Brook on a sketchy bridge and met up with a larger snowmobile/ATV trail. I followed the trail around the edge of Beaver Pond and up to the ridgeline, where it climbed across ledge before reaching the summit. The summit area had excellent views to the east and some more limited views to the west. In addition to the views, there was also a memorial on the summit and a windbreak with benches. It seems like this summit is most commonly visited in the winter, so it was neat to be there in the "off-season."
Descending, I followed the larger snowmobile/ATV trail past the trail I took up. It eventually turned into a road usable by 4WD vehicles, and I passed a group of bear hunters in a Jeep who must have had a key to the gate on Ludden Lane. I turned left off this road at a yellow gate onto ITS 89, which descended at easy grades to Rollins Ridge Road. My girlfriend picked me up here and gave me a ride back to my car on Common Road. Of course, I made sure to thank her for the favor with a stop at Dutch Treat in Wilton for ice cream on the way back!
I love exploring lesser visited peaks such as this one, and many have surprisingly good views! If you're thinking about doing this one, I'd recommend the approach from Rollins Ridge Road, if the gate on Ludden Lane is closed (I've seen it open in the past, but I don't know how often it is.). |
|
 | Name: |
Sam Shirley |
|
 | E-Mail: |
newenglandskier13@aol.com |
|
| Date Submitted: |
2021-09-02 |
|
 | Link: |
 https://m.facebook.com/groups/MaineHiking/permalink/2364486253693755/ |
|
|
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. |
|
