| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Saddleback Wind, ME |
|
 | Trails: |
Access road, Saddleback Wind Trail, East Ridge Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Wednesday, April 6, 2022 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Plenty of parking at the wind farm facility |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Ice - Blue, Snow - Drifts, Snow - Spring Snow, Snow/Ice - Postholes |
|
 | Recommended Equipment: |
Light Traction |
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
None |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Trail is well maintained and marked. We cleared minor branches down from the winter. There are still a few bigger blow downs which will need a chainsaw. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
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|
 | Bugs: |
Nothing biting |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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|
 | Comments: |
Today was the perfect day for the first longer hike of the season! We visited one of my local favorites, Saddleback Wind. It was quite warm and very sunny, with temperatures ranging from the upper 30s to near 50.
It was an easy hike along the wind farm road to the footpath at Turbine 12. In the woods, there was still plenty of snow and ice left, which was quite deep in places. Snowshoes were not needed, but microspikes were very helpful. There was no snow left on the summit ledges, and the views were as spectacular as always! According to the logbook, only 5 groups had visited since I was last up there in November.
From the summit, we continued on to the East Ridge. This section of trail alternated between bare ledge and short sections of snow. It didn't look like anyone had been on this trail for a while, and my November entry was the last one in the logbook at the East Ridge viewpoint. This viewpoint has an excellent view towards Bald Mountain, and was a nice place to rest before returning to the summit.
Back on the summit, we spent an hour and a half relaxing in the sun, before descending back to the wind farm. Saddleback Wind is always a rewarding hike, and it was the perfect choice for this time of year to avoid the more significant snow left on other mountains. |
|
 | Name: |
Sam Shirley |
|
 | E-Mail: |
newenglandskier13@aol.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2022-04-06 |
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 | Link: |
 https://www.facebook.com/groups/MaineHiking/permalink/2534414576700921/ |
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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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