| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Tumbledown Dick Mountain, ME |
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 | Trails: |
ATV trails |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, April 20, 2024 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Plenty of roadside parking |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Mud - Significant, Snow/Ice - Small Patches |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Some crossings required creative hopping, and there were some significant muddy areas |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Trails are all clear |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Sampson enjoyed himself |
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 | Bugs: |
None |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
After hiking Tumbledown Dick from the western approach a couple years ago, and exploring around the base of the cliffs last year, today we decided to hike it from the east. We parked just past the last driveway on Pulsifer Road, where it intersects with the washed-out logging road heading up the mountain. After hiking a short distance up the washed-out road, we bushwhacked a short distance to an ATV trail heading north. This bushwhack wasn't necessary, but it was easy and saved a short distance. We followed the ATV trail over a low ridge and down to the end of the drivable portion of Burbank Road.
We turned left onto Burbank Road, which soon became a narrow trail on the old roadbed. We followed the old road steadily up the east slope of The Pinnacle, until we turned left at a split onto an ATV trail heading for the saddle between The Pinnacle and Tumbledown Dick Mountain. Upon reaching the original logging road that we started up at the beginning of the hike, we turned left through the saddle. Here, Sampson encountered his first moose, a young cow which quickly lumbered off into the undergrowth.
We soon reached the side trail to the summit of Tumbledown Dick. We followed this eroded, often steep, and sometimes muddy trail to the mountain's spectacular summit. As many who hike in the area may know, Tumbledown Dick's defining feature are the 600 foot-tall cliffs on its south side. From the top of these cliffs are excellent views into the wild valley between Tumbledown Dick and Black Mountain. The wide reaching views also include much of the Oxford Hills, and surrounding areas to the east and south.
After thoroughly enjoying the views (although I think Sampson was more interested in the vultures and peepers that he could hear in the swamp below), we descended back to the logging road. From there, it was an easy descent on the washed-out road down to where we parked our car. For whatever reason, Tumbledown Dick is a spectacular and straightforward hike which continuously flies under the radar. If you hike in the Western Mountains or Oxford Hills, go check it out, it's well worth it! |
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 | Name: |
Sam Shirley |
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 | E-Mail: |
newenglandskier13@aol.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2024-04-20 |
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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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