| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Moxie Mountain, ME |
|
 | Trails: |
Snowmobile ITS 87, Moxie Mountain South Trail, Moxie Mountain West Trail |
|
 | Date of Hike: |
Sunday, August 25, 2024 |
|
 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Because I was supposed to pick a struggling hiker on Troutdale Rd (meant to say in previous report that while this is a very long dirt road with potholes, it should be okay for low clearance cars and is very populated), but they'd gotten a ride from someone else, I drove the "fun way" via back roads to Moxie. From the southern AT crossing, I continued south along Troutdale Rd for 2mi to where it says "Moxie Bog" and "Sand Pit" on Gaia and turned right (west) onto what's shown as Baker Dimmock Rd. I followed this for about 1.75mi before turning left (south) onto an ATV trail which I followed for a ways until it was gated to cars. Qite disappointing as it looked in fine condition and this would've cut out miles. I drove back to Troutdale Rd and continued along Troutdale Rd to where it became Deadwater Rd before turning right onto Heald Pond Rd. I followed it for about 3.3mi to where snowmobile ITS 87 comes in. I followed the snowmobile trail toward Moxie but there was immediately and exposed and damaged culvert so I turned around and parked off to the side at the intersection of roads where there was room for a few cars. There was some mounded hills in the road that the front end of my car hit and some rockier sections; not sure if a low clearance car would make it but a mid clearance car should be fine. |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Mud - Significant |
|
 | Recommended Equipment: |
|
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
None |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
I think there was at least one blowdown on West Trail, possibly more. |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
South Trail is a no I'd say with the slide crossing and some scrambling. West Trail might be more doable. No water. |
|
 | Bugs: |
Some mosquitos and annoying in your face bugs when I started my road walk and I was very worried it'd be like that the whole way but they actually quickly subsided. Just a few on the road walk back. |
|
 | Lost and Found: |
None |
|
|
|
|
 | Comments: |
South Trail is marked with blue markers but also has lots of surveyors tape on still on it though much of it was on the ground; I tried to pack a lot of it out. West Trail was similar but with red markings which were much less frequent. Also note that the spur along South Trail is not signed as the guidebook says it is and I think there was only a sign for the spur on West Trail if you're descending. If ascending, you'd probably walk right by it. I don't recall specifics, sorry.
2nd hike of the day after a long OAB along the AT over Pleasant Pond Mtn. Similar to that, this was a TERRIFIC hike with wonderful views though much shorter, steeper, and rougher. Due to the culvert being out, i had to road walk a mile to the start of the trail. The trail is gradual to moderate for 3/4mi before it begins climbing, very steeply and with some scrambling at times, to the summit. It crosses a sandy slide so expect from loose footing. Fantastic views though. The unsigned spur is very cool as well partly because you can see a large cairn on the clifftop spur on the South Trail. The climb down into the "ravine" between the two peaks is very steep and also offers some loose dirt footing. The summit area is cool with the helipad and some views but the clifftop view down the West Trail is what really takes home the prize. This just has an exceptionally unique feel to it and any hiker is going to fall in love with this hike. I highly recommend making the drive to it.
The descent down West Trail was not nearly as steep as I thought it would be because the guidebook's stats are off. It says that it's 0.4mi along the tote road to the start of the trail then an additional 0.6mi to the spur, when it's actually an additional 1mi to the spur, so 1.4mi walking total. This means that it's 1.9mi to the summit, not 1.5mi. From the bottom, it was then a very long road walk along snowmobile ITS 8 back to my car. The road walk was 5.5mi but take off a mile if it weren't for the exposed culvert. There were many PUDS, some of which were not insignificant. Gaia said it was about 450ft of gain over the 5.5mi though I suspect it was more. Gaia had me at 9.5mi, 1900ft of gain, 4hr17min. Keep in mind, I'm not sure it's possible to access West Trail right now with the culvert out. If you can, it would be a long drive in dirt roads from the west. |
|
 | Name: |
Liam Cooney |
|
 | E-Mail: |
liamcooney96@gmail.com |
|
| Date Submitted: |
2024-08-26 |
|
 | 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. |
|
