| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Black Mountain - East Peak, ME |
|
 | Trails: |
Black Mountain Road, Big Chief Trail, Black Mountain - Big Chief Connector, Black Mountain Summit Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Friday, March 14, 2025 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
From the jct with Schoodic Beach Rd, I drove 3/4mi until the road became a bit too sketchy with snow/ice/mud. FYI I came from Schoodic Beach Rd which had some very sketchy ice and I'm very lucky I didn't get stranded there. I'm pretty certain I would have if I didn't have AWD. I would recommend avoiding these roads unless it's a cold day and you aren't worried about mud (so AWD). Even then, I would not drive past where there's ice unless you've got chains and proceed with great caution. The regular parking area was shaded so still had a good deal of snow in it and could prove difficult getting in and out of. Room for a few cars here. |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Ice - Blue, Wet/Slippery Rock, Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Mud - Significant, Snow - Spring Snow |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Light Traction |
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Easy crossing the outlet of Wizard Pond |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Big Chief Trail is blazed in blue, often faded I think. I don't recall the frequency but it wasn't difficult to follow except coming down off the ledges from the summit down to the connector which I found very difficult to follow (maybe a bit different if you're ascending?). One mid-sized widow maker just south of the connector and probably a few more I'm forgetting about. The trail is signed as East Peak Trail at its start. Black Mtn - Big Chief Connector is just signed as an overlook which I found rather odd and was expecting a short OAB spur, not realizing that I was already at the connector. I think that the connector and Black Mtn Summit Trail were also blazed in blue but I'm not certain; they weren't difficult to follow. |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Sure but be aware of the ice right now. Might need help with some of the ledges/step downs but I imagine most hiking dogs will be okay. |
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 | Bugs: |
None |
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 | Lost and Found: |
None |
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|
 | Comments: |
Second hike of the day after Schoodic and Black (west peak) Mtns from the Schoodic Beach side. I walked the road for 1.4mi to reach the trailhead as I wasn't comfortable continuing to drive down the icy/snowy/muddy road, especially after my experience earlier on Schoodic Beach Rd. I hiked up Big Chief, Black Mtn - Big Chief Connector, and Black Mtn Summit Trail to the summit then took Big Chief Trail all the way down. Note that the connector trail is signed but only as an overlook which seemed rather strange!! While there was still some snow on this trail and I believe I still used my spikes, overall there was much less than on the trails I hiked from Schoodic Beach earlier in the day as this was south-facing. I don't recall the trail conditions terribly well but the road was definitely very soft and muddy by the time I was walking out it around 5pm. Great views from the ledges and I didn't see anyone else. Gaia had me at 5.4mi, 2hr56min, 1000ft of gain. |
|
 | Name: |
Liam Cooney |
|
 | E-Mail: |
liamcooney96@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2025-03-20 |
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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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