| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
East Kennebago Mountain, ME |
|
 | Trails: |
Oodys Road, Rangeley-Eustis Snowmobile Connector, logging roads, herd path |
|
 | Date of Hike: |
Friday, September 15, 2023 |
|
 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Active logging about 1.5mi in from Rt16, stashed my Subaru off the main road alongside a logging landing currently not being used. The road beyond was shredded and deeeeep mud from the massive logging equipment. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail |
|
 | Recommended Equipment: |
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|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
None |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
a few step overs to easily navigate, excellent condition for a herd path |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
With the active logging, leave them at home. |
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 | Bugs: |
None |
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 | Lost and Found: |
None |
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|
 | Comments: |
Beyond the active logging, the road was rough with descent-sized loose rocks in the road, but probably passable if not for the patch of active logging. Roadway was dry dirt and gravel, slow slog to the "End of Trail" signage, at which point the old road becomes incredibly brushy and overgrown briefly. Soon the pathway emerges into a beautiful corridor cut into the forest. Spooked several nesting sets of trailside Grouse along the way.
Turn off the old road is pretty well marked with rock and stick arrows, a yellow-painted property marker lays along the embankment as well. The herd path appears recent as it intially treks along the yellow-blazed property boundary, soon the paint ceases and herd path becomes well trodden, easy to follow. The path does grow very steep but with excellent, soft footing up the mountainside. Quite a few larger step-overs and downed birch on the ascent. East Kennebago is a good, hearty ascent but never scrambly or steeply up. Found the summit no problem, signed in.
Descending pathways, whether from moose/deer or human diverge from the summit in at least 3 different directions, take care to note the way you came up. Descent was quick, allowing gravity to do the work, I just had to take quick, light steps down the glorious mountainside - another trail report had suggested East Kennebago to be one of the most enjoyable of the NEHH to climb, while initially I thought this to be hogwash (given the logging road trek), I quickly grew to agree with this sentiment - the forest was one of the most fragrant I had ever been in; varying from intense balsam fir to autumnal farm stand/apple pie spice down along the old forest road, this turned out to be a highly enjoyable romp in the forest! Enjoy
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|
 | Name: |
Erik Hamilton |
|
 | E-Mail: |
ehamilton9481@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2023-09-17 |
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 | Link: |
 https://www.atalkinthewoods.com |
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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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