| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Speck Ponds (Norway), ME |
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 | Trails: |
Speck Ponds Trail, Upper Speck Pond Loop, Lower Speck Pond Loop |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Friday, September 13, 2024 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
No signage visible from the road, but plenty of trailhead parking |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail |
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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: |
Trails were well maintained with few blowdowns and good blazing. A few sections of bog bridging are nearing the end of their lifespan. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Great hike for dogs! |
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 | Bugs: |
Not an issue |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
Yesterday we discovered a great hidden gem trail system! The Speck Ponds Trail System in Albany Twp, Norway, & Waterford is part of the larger 12,000 acre Crooked River Headwaters conservation easement which includes other trail systems such as Round Mountain, Long Mountain, Bacon Hill, & Oversett Pond/Mountain.
Starting from the trailhead on Hutchinson Pond Road, we made loops around Upper & Lower Speck Ponds. Both ponds are beautiful undeveloped backcountry ponds. The trails are my favorite type, narrow lightly used footpaths which are maintained enough to keep them clear and easy to follow without turning them into wide trail corridors. The trails are all well blazed with red blazes, and most intersections have good signage. The only slightly tricky part is where the Speck Ponds Trail crosses the powerline corridor; you have to look closely for the small cairns and faint footbed crossing the power line clearing.
The trails pass through an interesting mix of hardwood and softwood forest, and there is a lot of beaver handiwork to see around the ponds. Some of the shoreline of Upper Speck Pond is quite rugged, but the trails are well built and never are wet or too rough. We really enjoyed our hike around the ponds and highly recommend it to anyone looking for an easier hike that will take you through a very scenic and remote-feeling area! |
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 | Name: |
Sam Shirley |
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 | E-Mail: |
newenglandskier13@aol.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2024-09-14 |
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 | Link: |
 https://www.alltrails.com/explore/recording/activity-september-13-2024-72f67e7?p=-1&sh=qriocr |
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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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