| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Roundtop Mountain, West Carry Pond, ME |
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 | Trails: |
Road walk, Maine Hut Trail, Appalachian Trail, Great Carrying Place Portage Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Wednesday, September 3, 2025 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Roadside parking at the intersection of Long Falls Dam Road and Spring Road |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
No issues except for one muddy bit along West Carry Pond which wasn't too hard to avoid |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Trails are in great shape! |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Great for dogs |
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 | Bugs: |
Not an issue |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
Today, we headed to the eloquently-named Carrying Place Town Township to hike the western half of the Great Carrying Place Portage Trail. After parking at the intersection of Long Falls Dam Road and Spring Road, we walked south on Long Falls Dam Road to the Maine Hut Trail. We followed the Maine Hut Trail southeast to the Appalachian Trail, which we followed east up Roundtop Mountain. This viewless peak wasn't too difficult to ascend, and we soon found ourselves descending the east side of the mountain to West Carry Pond.
Soon before reaching the pond, the Great Carrying Place Portage Trail joined with the AT, and the two trails would coincide for roughly the next three miles. The section of trail along the pond was beautiful with multiple water access points and views to the mountains across the pond. East of the pond, we crossed a low ridge, before descending to a substantial boardwalk across a bog. After the bog, the trail crossed an esker and came out on Lane Pond Road. This is where we turned around.
Retracting our steps on the combined AT/GCP Trail, we stopped for lunch at Arnold Point on West Carry Pond. This was my favorite spot on the shore of the pond, and it had a beautiful pebble beach that would be a perfect place to swim. To the west of the pond, we beared right onto the Great Carrying Place Portage Trail. Although lightly used, the trail is very well maintained and marked with a variety of signs, arrows, discs, stakes, and orange blazes. The first bit of this trail was a very pleasant walk through the woods. It eventually came out on a grassy old logging road, which had thankfully been mowed not too long ago. If it hadn't been recently mowed, the tall grass would definitely have been an issue on the section! After reaching Boise Road, we followed the route of the GCP Trail down Spring Road, and on a short section of wide trail to Flagstaff Lake and a beautiful beach. From here, it was a short walk back to our car.
It was a great day to be out, and besides one pair of AT hikers, we didn't see anyone else out on the trails. We're looking forward to returning to hike the eastern half of the GCP Trail! |
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 | Name: |
Sam Shirley |
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 | E-Mail: |
newenglandskier13@aol.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2025-09-03 |
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 | Link: |
 https://api-v5.alltrails.com/explore/recording/activity-september-3-2025-f01acd8-3?p=-1&sh=qriocr&utm_medium=map_share&utm_source=alltrails_virality |
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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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