| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Norumbega Mountain, ME |
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 | Trails: |
Goat Trail, Norumbega Mountain Trail, Golf Course Trail, Reservoir Trail, Hadlock Ponds Trail, Lower Norumbega Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Sunday, September 10, 2023 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
We parked at the pulloff for Goat Trail along Rt 3. Plenty of room. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Mud - Significant |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Easily rock hopable |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
I believe all trails were blazed in blue. Goat Trail and the section of Golf Course Trail above the golf cart path definitely were. Lower Norumbega Trail could maybe use a little more blaze then again we were hiking out in the dark and in the rain so that could’ve just been us ;P I do not recall any blowdowns and trail signs were intact. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Goat Trail may be too steep for some and I’d be very careful with them if hiking through the Golf Course along Gold Course Trail but the rest of the trails should be okay for them. |
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 | Bugs: |
None |
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 | Lost and Found: |
None |
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|
 | Comments: |
2nd and final hike of the day on our 2nd and final day in Ellsworth. We’d hiked Kebo Mtn and Dorr Mtn earlier in the day. As advertised, Goat Trail is very steep and rough, but with nice stone steps and trail maintenance, for the first 0.3mi. Nice traverse from there to Golf Course Trail. We then hiked an OAB on Golf Course Trail for redlining purposes. Despite the guidebook’s description, so long as you follow its directions, the trail is not hard/confusing to follow. Just make sure to turn left (if ascending) despite where it says Golf Course Trail continues ahead. The upper part of this trail was a bit steeper and rougher than anticipated.
Upon reaching Hadlock Pond, I then accidentally did an OAB on Reservoir Trail rather than an OAB to Hadlock Ponds Rd. Noticed it partway through but was so close to the golf course at that point I said I might as well continue just in case it’s added as a spur to the next guidebook! We then did an OAB along Hadlock Ponds Rd to the gate. Make sure to go all the way to the gate!! This is about 1/4mi beyond where Gaia shows a cul-de-sac and the trail ending. We then hiked out via Hadlock Ponds Trail and Lower Norumbega Trail to the car, completing an OAB to Rt 3 opposite Upper Hadlock Pond (I believe the guidebook mistakenly says the south end of LOWER Hadlock Pond which is incorrect) along Hadlock Ponds Trail, again for redlining. Somewhere along the way it got dark and started raining. We lived. I believe Lower Norumbega was generally wetter and muddier than the other trails we’d been on in the park even without the rain.
Gia had us at roughly 6mi, 1110ft of gain, 2hr51min. |
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 | Name: |
Liam Cooney and the CCC |
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 | E-Mail: |
liamcooney96@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2023-09-19 |
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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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