| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Haystack Notch, ME |
|
 | Trails: |
Haystack Notch Trail |
|
 | Date of Hike: |
Sunday, June 11, 2023 |
|
 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Room for a few cars on the side of Route 113 at and near the western trailhead. Room for maybe a half-dozen vehicles at the Miles Notch trailhead at the east end of Haystack Notch Trail, but the road leading to it is a little rough in places and the washout right at the end needs to be taken carefully. When approaching the washout, go the left side of it - that's the easier side. |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Significant |
|
 | Recommended Equipment: |
|
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Starting from Route 113, the first crossing could maybe have been rock-hopped by someone with long legs and a good sense of balance, but I put my waders on for it. The other crossings on the west side of the trail could be rock-hopped with care. On the east side, the first significant crossing is a tributary of the West Branch Pleasant River, and we rock-hopped it without too much trouble. The three crossings of the West Branch Pleasant River itself are definitely NOT rock-hoppable - nowhere near enough rocks above the water. Both me and my hiking partner used our waders for all three. With the waders, none of the crossings were particularly difficult - only once (on the second crossing) did the water get up to the bottom of my knees (I'm 5'5"), and that was only for a couple of steps. Most of the time, the water was maybe a foot deep. The third (and final) crossing was interesting - in times of extremely low water you might be able to just walk across on an exposed ledge that spanned most of the stream at the crossing. But today, the ledge was submerged under 6" - 1' of water. The ledge looked slippery, and it had moss on it, but surprisingly the moss actually provided good traction for my waders. Nowhere on any of these crossings do you have to go through water that's anywhere near waist deep (unless you're a small child). Moral of the story - if you bring waders and you're prepared and ready to use them, you should be fine. |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Lots of blowdowns and lots of muddy areas. And they weren't all in the Wilderness portion. The signs at both ends of the trail and where entering and exiting the Wilderness are in place. |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
They'd probably do fine, though smaller dogs might need to be carried across some of the river crossings. |
|
 | Bugs: |
Plenty. Mosquitoes were the worst. Use bug spray, bring a head net just in case, and keep moving whenever possible. |
|
 | Lost and Found: |
Nothing. |
|
|
|
|
 | Comments: |
My friend and I finally got Haystack Notch Trail for our redlining. Up to the Wilderness boundary, the trail is obvious, but it was quite wet and muddy in places, probably from yesterday's brief but heavy rain. Through the Wilderness and for much of the portion east of it as well, the trail is faint, brushy, and in places overgrown with undergrowth that obscures the trail. It also has a lot of blowdowns (some of which needed to be bushwhacked around), and lots of wet and muddy areas as well. My friend and I both have extensive experience following trails like these from our past redlining hikes, and we never lost the trail, but serious attention has to be paid to route-finding for a significant distance. Read the WMG's description of the trail, and be prepared to use it to help you follow the trail. If you have any trouble at all with following normal trails, don't try to hike Haystack Notch. But if you enjoy solitude and know how to follow trails like this, this might be a fun hike. |
|
 | Name: |
GN |
|
 | E-Mail: |
ghnaigles@gmail.com |
|
| Date Submitted: |
2023-06-11 |
|
 | 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. |
|
