| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Merrill Hill, Black Mountain - North Peak, Black Mountain - Spruce Peak, ME |
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 | Trails: |
Merrill Hill Loop Trail, Palisades Trail, Yetiville Trail, Kid's Adventure Trail, Spruce Cliffs Trail, Tango Trail, South Ridge Loop Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Sunday, September 8, 2024 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Tons of parking |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
All unbridged crossings were easily hoppable |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
The trails are all well maintained and marked. Trails are marked with a combination of blazes and small signs. Note that none of the trail names are present, although some trails are marked with a letter corresponding to the map. Blaze colors do not always correspond with the map. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Great hike for dogs! |
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 | Bugs: |
None |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
I went on a great hike on Merrill Hill and Black Mountain today, utilizing Sunday River Resort's network of hiking trails. The trails were much better maintained and marked than when I hiked on them a few years ago. It also ended up being perfect fall hiking weather with unrestricted views.
I started at the South Ridge base area and headed up the Merrill Loop Trail. This trail ascends to the summit of Merrill Hill on ski trails. It was a mostly gradual and easy climb to the top, where there were excellent views of the Mahoosuc Range and surrounding areas. Luckily the ski resort development has so far left Merrill Hill's true summit undisturbed, and the old trail can still be followed for about 100 yards beyond the top of the ski lifts to the summit ledge and cairn.
I then continued down the back side of Merrill Hill until the trail reached an access road. I followed this road for a short distance to the Palisades Trail. Palisades Trail, along with the Yetiville and Tango Trails, largely follow the abandoned downhill mountain biking trails on North Peak. This means they now seem like trails which are very overbuilt for hiking with wide surfaces and many switchbacks. This also means that they provide much more gradual ascents than traditional Maine hiking trails. I followed the Palisades Trail for a bit until it reached the Yetiville Trail. This trail switchbacked through an open glade until it reached the Kid's Adventure Trail. I then followed this trail to the top of Black Mountain's North Peak. Here there were good views to the northeast.
Next up was the best part of the hike! I followed the Spruce Cliffs Trail up its steep ascent through beautiful mossy forest to the top of Black Mountain's Spruce Peak. Here there were good views from the ski trails, but I continued on a short distance to the top of Spruce Cliffs. I ate lunch here and enjoyed the expansive views to the south and east from the cliffs.
After lunch, I followed the trail as it descended steeply from the cliffs to the Tango Trail. I followed this trail as it wound down the mountain to the South Ridge Loop Trail, which I then followed back to the parking area. Sunday River Resort has a great network of trails which access some really beautiful peaks, and I'm glad that they've been doing such a great job maintaining them recently! |
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 | Name: |
Sam Shirley |
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 | E-Mail: |
newenglandskier13@aol.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2024-09-08 |
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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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