| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Pine Hill, Lord Hill, ME |
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 | Trails: |
Conant Trail, Mine Loop Trail, Mine Loop Connector, Horseshoe Pond Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Friday, March 7, 2025 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Parking for a couple of cars at end of plowing about 0.75 mile from Rt. 113 on Deer Hill Road |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Lots of branches everywhere from the high winds but surprisingly few falling trees |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
With the high winds forecast, I decided to tackle these low elevation trails. With the road walk and the out and backs, these "short, easy trails" turned into 11.6 miles for the day. The snowshoeing was great, w/ flotation 90% of the time.
First section was an easy road walk which in wintertime is snowmobiled to the Johnson Cellar Hole and beyond, but this is where the hiking trail splits off. A blaze or two just above here would be helpful; I used GPS once in order to stay on route. Pine Hill is lovely, but the wind was really whipping. I kept my eyes and ears peeled for falling trees.
Did the short Mine Loop Connector out and back before continuing on up Lord Hill, also lovely. From here it was out and back on Mine Loop Trail. The mine was mostly buried in snow, but I did find a nice piece of quartz.
Horseshoe Pond Trail was easy to follow until reaching the logging road, where there was no indication which way to turn. Consulting the WMG (I photograph the pages I'm hiking), it was relatively easy to figure out. Soon I passed poor Olive Stiles's grave, reached the trailhead at Deer Hill Road with its funny "some phones work here!" sign, and reversed direction back uphill to Conant.
On the section of Conant that traverses near Harndon Hill, GPS was needed in a couple of spots. The "cellar hole" in this segment is huge and impressive!
I'd intended to hit Deer Hill on my way out but was too wind whipped and decided to save it for a later day. Excited this day to see my first bear tracks of the "spring." |
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 | Name: |
Snowflea |
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 | E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2025-03-11 |
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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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