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Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks Maiden Cliff, Mt. Megunticook, ME
Trails
Trails: Maiden Cliff Trail, view spurs, Scenic Trail, Ridge Trail, Tablelands Trail, Jack Williams Trail
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Thursday, December 22, 2022
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: Parking for probably a dozen plus cars at the Maiden Cliff trailhead. No snow or ice in the lot.  
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Dry Trail, Ice - Black, Snow - Trace/Minimal Depth, Ice - Blue, Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Ice - Breakable Crust, Snow - Unpacked Powder, Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment: Light Traction 
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: Trivial. Then again, after today, what used to be trivial could now be a raging river, lol!  
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes: Maiden Cliff Trail is marked with yellow rectangles on trees mostly, but also some older blue blazes, and some surveyors tape. It appears to have been recently rerouted just slightly and I found it easy enough to still wind up on the old trail. There’s some rope to try and keep you on the proper trail. I believe Scenic Trail was marked with circular purple disks on trees. Ridge Trail was mostly marked with red X’s on trees. I believe there was some sort of occasional blazing as well. Tablelands Trail I think had some light blue blazing. I don’t recall the symbol that went with it though…maybe purple disks again. Jack Williams Trail was marked with blue triangles on trees. Overall, the trails, mostly above tree line, could be tricky to follow precisely in winter. Marking weren’t all the frequent. I don’t recall many blowdowns.  
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes: Saw a few. The owners were mostly responsible. These seem like mostly good trails for dogs. Might need the occasional lift up a little scramble  
Bugs
Bugs: None 
Lost and Found
Lost and Found: I found a stabilicer or whatever they’re called on Jack Williams Trail. I left it at the trailhead kiosk. I found a small blue pad to sit on at Ocean Lookout. I packed it out. If it’s yours let me know and I can send it to you.  
 
Comments
Comments: A nice hike to do as I drive home after my mini redline vacation in Ellsworth. My first time hiking in the Camden Hills area. This hike made a sort of double-loop with some OABs connecting them.

No snow at the base, but a little ice and such soon began to appear. It would make sense to throw on spikes partway up Maiden Cliff Trail. I waited until later and didn’t take them off again until partway down Maiden Cliff. No need for snowshoes especially given todays rain. All the trails had been broken out and some had seen a lot of traffic but knowing exactly where the trail went along Scenic Trail could be a bit challenging given divergent tracks and a lack of blazing. Many nice views but not the above tree line walking that Acadia has to offer.

Gaia had me at 6.25-6.5mi with 1400ft of gain. It took me 4hrs to complete.  
Name
Name: Liam Cooney 
E-Mail
E-Mail: liamcooney96@gmail.com 
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2022-12-23 
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.

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