| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Jackson Mountain , ME |
|
 | Trails: |
Byron Road, Weld Road, logging road, unnamed trail, Jackson Mountain Trail, Little Jackson Mountain Trail, Pond Link Trail, Brook Trail |
|
 | Date of Hike: |
Tuesday, July 26, 2022 |
|
 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Large parking area was overflowing by mid-afternoon |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Mud - Significant |
|
 | Recommended Equipment: |
|
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Some wet areas required care to get around |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Trails are all well maintained with the exception of the Brook Trail |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
|
|
 | Bugs: |
Minimal |
|
 | Lost and Found: |
|
|
|
|
|
 | Comments: |
Today I made a big loop up and over Jackson Mountain and Tumbledown using the backcountry trail along the Stockbridge Branch of the Swift River. I parked at the Brook Trailhead and started with a road walk along Byron Road. I walked about 3 miles before turning right onto another dirt road which soon reached a gate. I followed this road beyond the gate until just before it reached a very derelict bridge over the Stockbridge Branch. Here, the trail to Jackson Pond & Jackson Mountain left the road heading northeast.
The trail was quite a nice trail and it followed the Stockbridge Branch at gentle grades for quite a while, before turning southeast and becoming steeper. It passed through some very nice forest and the stream valley had a very remote feeling. The trail itself was mostly clear and there were only a few wet sections, all of which could be bypassed. Upon reaching Jackson Pond, I spent some time at the cabin there before heading up Jackson Mountain. The total distance from the gate to the Jackson Mountain Trail is about 5 miles.
After summiting Jackson Mountain, I headed down the Little Jackson Mountain Trail, before turning right onto the Pond Link Trail. Up until this point, I had only passed a handful of people, all on the Little Jackson Mountain Trail, but that all changed at Tumbledown Pond. As usual, the area around the pond was a madhouse with a crowd of people swimming, fishing, yelling, and playing music. I didn't linger long, before quickly descending the Brook Trail. The Brook Trail is still an eroded disaster and was packed with people. I don't think I was out of earshot of people the entire way down.
All in all, it was a great hike, except for maybe the last 2 miles, and I really enjoyed the trail along the Stockbridge Branch to Jackson Pond. |
|
 | Name: |
Sam Shirley |
|
 | E-Mail: |
newenglandskier13@aol.com |
|
| Date Submitted: |
2022-07-26 |
|
 | Link: |
 https://www.facebook.com/groups/MaineHiking/permalink/2625367834272261/ |
|
|
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. |
|
