| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Caribou Mountain, Gammon Mountain, ME |
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 | Trails: |
Caribou Mountain Trail, Mud Brook Trail, bushwhack |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Sunday, May 19, 2019 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Another car came in right after me on Bog Brook Road around 9. There’s room for about a half dozen cars maybe. The road in is in good condition including the dirt part. There were two cars parked on the 113 side when I got there around 1. Room for a dozen plus cars there I think. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Mud - Significant, Slush, Snow/Ice - Small Patches |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
All but one were easy rock hops although they are big enough that I see how they could be quite difficult after a rainstorm. The only one that looked a bit harder is the one near the beginning of Caribou Mtn Trail from the 113 side. Most of the rocks were submerged but there was a line of them just downstream I used easily enough to get across. If you didn’t notice them then you’d be wading. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Many blowdowns seen throughout the day primarily on the 113 side of Caribou Mtn Trail. Most of the ones I remember could be handled with a small hand saw but I recall one very large one (I forget where but I believe it was towards the beginning of my hike so likely the Bog Brook side of Caribou Mtn Trail) that would need a chainsaw and crew. Everything is passable but many are at awkward heights which is obnoxious and some force you to bushwhack around.
The trail could use more blaze on the Bog Brook side of Caribou Mtn Trail and on the ledges. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
I imagine they’d be okay. |
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 | Bugs: |
They were out especially at the 113 Trailhead but I don’t think they were biting much. That said I did use bug spray right as I got out of the car. They would swarm me later in the day when I stopped moving.
Surprisingly, there were no ticks on me today!! |
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 | Lost and Found: |
None |
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 | Comments: |
Caribou Mtn Trail from Bog Road to Mud Brook Trail to Caribou Mtn, then down Mud Brook to 113, up Caribou Mtn Trail to the Col, bushwhack up to Gammon Mtn, then back down Caribou Trail to Bog Road.
So so glad I got out there today despite the weather forecast!!! The day started out cloudy and ominous but there were still views as the summits were mostly below the clouds when I got to Caribou at 10:30-11. It sprinkled for a second or two once or twice but that was it. I spent a long time at the summit soaking up all the views towards the Mahoosucs, Carters, Presi’s Kearsage North, East Royce, Speckled Mountain, and the Baldfacess. Then on my way down towards 113 the skies opened up and it became quite sunny sometime around noon. Quite a difference from both the forecasted weather and the ominous skies and cold temps on the summit of Caribou an hour or two before. It got quite hot too!
There’s still lots of mud some places although not much water or wet rock which was nice. There are still some places where you have to briefly cross snow but I bet they’ll be gone by the end of the day today. There were already melting as I got back to the col in the afternoon. No need for spikes or gaiters unless you really wanted them.
I only recall seeing two blazes on the eastern side of Caribou Mtn Trail. Both near the beginning. The first one was yellow and the second was blue lol 😂 There are little arrows to direct you in the opposite direction (descent) on/off the logging roads though. This eastern portion of the trail is a bit tricky to follow and I wouldn’t recommend it for people who don’t have some experience. In addition to the lack of blazes, the footbed is quite hidden or overgrown at times. Blaze and cairns are virtually non-existent on the ledges. It’s a short section of ledge so it would be hard to get lost unless you really didn’t know what you were doing but at the first open area there really is no indication of which way to go so I had to guess and check once before I found my way. Look for yellow arrows on the ground (they aren’t in the most needed of spots in my opinion though). All other parts of the loop were easy enough to follow although not blazed in the wilderness area.
I also completed my first “official†bushwhack today to Gammon Mtn. I didn’t explore the summit much but there didn’t seem to be any views. A slightly more “open†aide of the summit where there’s some little views through the trees. There are two summit registers but only one is still in use. If you find the old one first (more obvious) continue a few yards ahead to a point hardly higher. Given the way most people ascend, the second register which is slightly hidden will be just past the first register. Very short but steep and scrappy bushwhack. |
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 | Name: |
Liam Cooney |
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 | E-Mail: |
liamcooney96@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2019-05-20 |
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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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