| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Caribou Mountain, ME |
|
 | Trails: |
Caribou Trail, Mud Brook Trail |
|
 | Date of Hike: |
Monday, May 15, 2023 |
|
 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Room for maybe a half-dozen vehicles in the parking area at the end of Bog Rd. The last part of Bog Rd. is dirt - there are some potholes right at the beginning, but most of the rest of the road is in good condition. Any car can get to the trailhead - a Honda Fit was there when I got back. Route 113 through Evans Notch is currently closed - I heard from the Maine DOT that they're anticipating opening it on May 25, but that should be confirmed before making any plans that include it. |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Mud - Significant |
|
 | Recommended Equipment: |
|
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
All rock-hoppable. |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
A couple of blowdowns that required bushwhacking around. Several sections of the trail are wet - the worst was one in the upper half of the trail that was at least 100 yds of mud bog. Signs are all in place. |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Shouldn't have any issues. |
|
 | Bugs: |
Not much in the morning, and none at the higher elevations or the summit since the wind was blowing quite well. They swarmed when I stopped to have lunch on the way down, and were coming out in larger numbers for the rest of the hike out. |
|
 | Lost and Found: |
Nothing. |
|
|
|
|
 | Comments: |
The eastern half of Caribou Trail is a pleasant route to the summit of Caribou Mountain. Grades are mostly easy or moderate with only a few steep sections, and those steep sections (like the rest of the trail) generally had good footing. It's clear that a relative lack of use has been kind to this trail - as soon as I reached the col and hopped on Mud Brook Trail for the final half-mile to the summit, the footing became significantly rougher and rockier since that section gets a lot more use (from hikers doing the Caribou/Mud Brook loop from Route 113, which isn't an option right now since Route 113 is closed).
Views were outstanding in all directions from the summit - the Presidentials, with plenty of snow still visible, rise over the Carters, and peaks in most directions can be identified. It was very windy at the summit, so I didn't stay for too long. No issues following the trail. Saw three other hikers coming up as I was coming down. An enjoyable and beautiful hike! |
|
 | Name: |
GN |
|
 | E-Mail: |
ghnaigles@gmail.com |
|
| Date Submitted: |
2023-05-15 |
|
 | Link: |
 https:// |
|
|
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. |
|
