| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
The Owl, ME |
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 | Trails: |
Hunt Trail, Owl Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Tuesday, August 15, 2023 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
I didn’t have trouble getting a spot at Katahdin Stream (arriving shortly before 2pm) to hike this or Roaring Brook earlier in the day to hike South Turner (just past 10am) on this Tuesday. $16 for a day pass for non residents and $42 for a season pass. Roads in BSP can definitely have a lot of potholes and be very bumpy but are kept in good enough shape for low clearance cars. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Mud - Significant |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
The tributary at 1.6mi was rock hopable. If water were VERY high it could be a wade. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Hunt Trail is blazed in white since it’s the AT. Owl Trail is blazed in blue. I don’t recall frequency but I will say that the blazing didn’t seem as common up higher around the scrambles where there could be some ambiguity as to which way to go. Generally speaking, easy to follow though. Trail signs were intact and I don’t recall any blowdowns. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Dogs are not allowed in BSP. |
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 | Bugs: |
I don’t recall them being a nuisance. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
None |
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|
 | Comments: |
2nd hike of the day on the 5th and final day in Millinocket after redlining South Turner earlier. The main point I’d like to make in my report is that although Hunt Trail is a nice warm up and much of The Owl Trail is moderate and through some nice woods, the final 1/3mi to the false summit is VERY steep and features some scrambling. The trail gains about 200ft of elevation per tenth of a mile. The scrambling isn’t too crazy or anything but wanted to be clear on this as the guidebook wasn’t terribly specific. The trail, although it features some very nice trailbed, was also rather eroded in places. The views from the summit and false summit are SPECTACULAR. Really gives you a feel for the park as you’re right in the bloody middle of it. Such a freaking cool summit!!
I don’t remember ground conditions terribly well but I’d assume there’s still plenty of deep mud on parts of the trail. Gaia had me at 6mi, 2550ft of gain, just under 4hrs. The distance is significantly less than what the guidebook says. So much so that I think the guidebook may be the one off here. Lastly, although it doesn’t seem to me that the short section of the AT that walks the road into the campground is needed for redlining, I did it just to be safe as it’s a very quick walk. |
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 | Name: |
Liam Cooney |
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 | E-Mail: |
liamcooney96@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2023-08-22 |
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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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