| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Saddleback Mountain , ME |
|
 | Trails: |
Appalachian Trail, Piazza Rock Spur, Piazza Rock Lean-to Spur, Caves Spur, Berry Picker's Trail, road walk |
|
 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, October 28, 2023 |
|
 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
There is a bridge out over Orbeton Stream around where I believe Potato Hill Rd starts. This adds a significant road walk to the hike. We did see cars at the Berry Picker's trailhead so there must be another way in but I'm not sure what it would be. Also, note that you cannot use the section of Railroad Rd that Fly Rod Crosby Trail crosses as there's a bridge that's blocked. You have to come in via East Madrid Rd. The roads are narrow and a bit rough at times but nothing a mid clearance car or even a low clearance car with some care shouldn't be able to handle. Plenty of room at the AT lot on Rt 4. Maybe a half dozen cars there including us and probably room for at least twice as many. Note that Gaia does not show all of the roads in here or where Berry Picker's Trail starts I believe. |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Mud - Significant, Leaves - Significant/Slippery |
|
 | Recommended Equipment: |
|
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Not many. I think you crossed an outlet of one of the ponds along the AT but not sure there were many others. Easily rock hopable. |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
The AT is blazed in white. If memory serves correctly, it was better blazed than many sections of the AT. Marked with cairns and such above treeline and was not hard to follow but of course it could be a very different story in the cloud. Berry Picker's Trail was much better blazed in blue than I imagined that it would be. All the spurs were well blazed in blue as well. Small birch stepover blowdown near the southern end of the AT,a very large widowmaker hanging above the trail 15min in, a mid-sized widowmaker/leaner a few mins after crossing the road 1.8mi in. A series of three uprooted leaners about 10min into Berry Picker's Trail, with another stepover/leaner shortly thereafter, a couple of easy stepovers in between the ledge and the cascades, and another easy stepover just after the cascades. |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
There's definitely steep and rough sections of trail, but any scrambling is kept relatively light so most hiking dogs should be okay with the exception of the Caves Spur. |
|
 | Bugs: |
None |
|
 | Lost and Found: |
None |
|
|
|
|
 | Comments: |
A great traverse of Saddleback Mountain on what seemed like an iffy but turned out pretty darn good weather day with the lovely CCC! The hike was made significantly longer than anticipated by the bridge being out but it was all easy enough road walking. We traversed south to north. The trails were very muddy and wet at times and many bog bridges could be made or replaced to aid in this. The spurs to Piazza Rock, lean-to, and the caves were all easy to find and well marked. The caves spur you've obviously got to play close attention to the blaze too but was very fun. Some wet slab below treeline for sure, but nothing that was terribly slick as far as I recall. The AT is relatively gentle with some PUDS and all for the first 3.5mi or so until it crosses the snowmobile trail beyond Eddy Pond, then it's a much steeper and rougher climb from there to treeline, and less so from treeline to the summit. The above treeline travel was spectacular and we were thrilled to have views as we were worried we'd be in cloud. The wind wasn't exactly mild and the temps were far from warm but the winds weren't as strong as anticipated either which led for very enjoyable hiking above treeline. Berry Picker's Trail is a delight and I highly recommend it. Great views and terrain through the berry bushes :) We did find a couple cars parked at the trailhead when we got down but not sure how they got there since the bridge is out; I guess there's got to be another way in. Gaia had us at 13mi, about 2800ft of gain, 6.5hrs. |
|
 | Name: |
Liam Cooney and the CCC |
|
 | E-Mail: |
liamcooney96@gmail.com |
|
| Date Submitted: |
2023-11-08 |
|
 | 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. |
|
