| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Miles Notch, ME |
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 | Trails: |
Road walk, Miles Notch Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Sunday, May 14, 2023 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Tyler Road is gated about 1.5 miles from the trailhead, requiring a lengthy road walk. The road is in good condition - my friend and I could've driven my Forester and her RAV4 to the trailhead. Not sure why the gate isn't open. There are a couple of cabins along Tyler Road past the gate, and strangely, one of them actually had a car there. We weren't sure how it got past the gate, but the lock that keeps the gate closed is a combination lock, so maybe the USFS gives the combo to the owners of those cabins? It's a weird situation. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Significant |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
The two crossings of Miles Brook on Miles Notch Trail were both difficult, requiring stepping on submerged, slippery rocks and taking large steps. Waders, or at least waterproof boots, are necessary if you want your feet to stay dry. The numerous crossings of tributaries of Miles Brook were more straightforward. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Several large blowdowns that required short bushwhacks around. Large sections of the trail, in both the upper and lower parts, were very wet and muddy - these got very annoying after a while. Signs are all in place, and the sign for Haystack Notch Trail at its junction with Miles Notch Trail in the large clearing is back. I am glad that the Forest Service replaced it. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Shouldn't have any issues. A note of warning, though - the last house on Tyler Road before the gate has a dog that likes to wander unhurriedly around the area, including on the road, heedless of any vehicles that might be coming through. So watch out for it. |
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 | Bugs: |
The cooler temperatures and breeze today kept most of them away. More on the road walk back at the end of the hike. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
Nothing. |
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 | Comments: |
What should've been a five-mile hike turned into an eight-mile hike thanks to the gate on Tyler Road being unnecessarily closed. Once we actually got to the trail, the start of Miles Notch Trail is brushy and wet in places, and much of the brush is these thorny plants that could really cut up your legs if you're wearing shorts - long pants are strongly recommended. The right turn off the wide old road into the woods on the footpath is pretty obvious, especially if you're looking for it (as we were). The trail started out with easy grades, and then climbed with mostly moderate grades to the junction with Red Rock Trail. Many parts of the trail were muddy and wet, with standing water, and sometimes it wasn't easy to tell where the mud was because leaves covered it. Trail was easy to follow.
We didn't see anyone else on the trail. Good to get one more trail redlined. |
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 | Name: |
GN |
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 | E-Mail: |
ghnaigles@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2023-05-14 |
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 | Link: |
 https:// |
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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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