NewEnglandTrailConditions.com
NewEnglandTrailConditions.com:
MA
|
ME
|
NH
|
RI/CT
|
VT
|
Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks White Cap Mountain, North Kennebago Divide, ME
Trails
Trails: Bushwhack, herd paths
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Sunday, May 29, 2022
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: We were able to get past first set of boulders in a pick-up TRUCK but I would not really suggest it. Does not really save that much of a walk. Not even half a mile. Probably better to park vehicle at the first set of boulders. 
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment:  
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: Two small crossings after the last set of boulders before the actual trailhead.  
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes: These peaks are not maintained so can't say much for trail maintenance. 
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes: No dogs. No other hikers. But I would say this hike is definitely dog friendly. 
Bugs
Bugs: Oh heck yes...plenty..... DEET 
Lost and Found
Lost and Found: Nothing 
 
Comments
Comments: This was our second attempt at this hike so it felt pretty darn good getting these out of the way. The drive in on Tim Pond Rd is in pretty good shape, however still a 17 mile ride in up till the turns! The trail does get rougher and more narrow as you approach the boulders. I was thankful we had an escort to and from the hike. My parents have a seasonal at Cathedral Pines Campground :)

Notes regarding the hike though. Fairly straight forward but definitely some confusing areas even after all the trip reports I read. There were comments that at the 3rd cairn to take a LEFT here to continue on to Whitecap.. There is even a orange ticker marker in the tree here..we went down this aways but the herd path seemed to disappear. We went back to the cairn and continued STRAIGHT as there was still a very well defined tote road and this was the correct choice IMO. Took us to an open forest and from there it was a bit more climbing but lead us right to the summit.

We followed our steps but down all the way to first cairn to take a LEFT here to summit N Kennebago. Just be careful to stay on the herdpath. We lost it early on so made for confusion (and nerves) but thankfully we found the herd path again and it goes straight to the summit. When you are getting close to summit there is a section of blowdowns that you will need to maneuver around but it is not too difficult.

ALOT of moose scat and there definitely was another animal around (BIG) because right below summit of Kennebago on ascent we saw fresh scat that was hard to identify... It was large and kinda loose but looked to be closest to bear scat. Went by that fast and on our way down, there was TWO more piles of that in same spot. So that animal was there shortly before we went up and shortly there when we came down. !!  
Name
Name: Tammy Marcellino 
E-Mail
E-Mail: tmarcellino@roadrunner.com 
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2022-05-31 
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.

Copyright 2009-2024, All Rights Reserved