| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Snow Mountain (Cupsuptic), ME |
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 | Trails: |
Bushwhack, herd path |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Sunday, March 8, 2020 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
"Twin Road" (see below) provided amazing access to this peak, really the only reasonable way to reach it this winter. Being a Sunday we drove all the way up to where active logging has been going on and didn't get in anyone's way. It was well-plowed and drivable, though was wet and began to see some mud on the way out with temps reaching toward upper 30s. Another week of warmer temps and mud may well close down these roads. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Snow - Unpacked Powder, Snow - Drifts, Snow - Wet/Sticky |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
No issues |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
This peak was nearly sure to be the hardest of the NE 100 to reach this winter, with the traditional route (Burnt Mountain Road) not plowed out at all. But our scouting earlier in the season found that the unnamed road heading west off Lincoln Pond Road (per the Maine Atlas & Gazetteer) -- we'll call it Twin Road -- was seeing active logging. We hoped they were still out there several weeks later, and sure enough found today that was the case!
We aimed for a Sunday to head up and hopefully not get in the way of the logging operation and drive up this road as far as we could, to come near Twin Mountain (west of Bald Pate, not to be confused with North and South Twin nor Baldpate in the Whites!). Boy did we luck out, with an easy drive all the way up to about 2750' where several logging vehicles and large log piles lay dormant for the Sabbath, no burly logger human in site.
A relatively short walk up the skidder path, then we donned snowshoes and headed to the col west of the higher Twin peak, hugged the contour line around toward the north of the peak, then made a beeline for Snow Cupsuptic, joining the herd path and ridge to its summit. Recent warm temps provided a great consolidated pack, with just a few to several inches of snow to break through at the worst. Relatively warm and sunny day, with some wind for sure, but we were able to enjoy time on the summit sharing brownies, bubbly, and even some raspberry brandy.
Aside from a few very short stretches hiking through a bit of thick, we were in open woods or clear-cut areas all the way. It really couldn't have been easier in winter, and the group of nine of us had a fantastic time. A bit under five miles, took less than four hours, with a solid hour of that being summit and break time.
Hearty congratulations to Marcia on her well-earned, hard-fought Winter NE 100 finish, and Lynn for her finish the day before on White Cap! The Winter 100 is provides such great opportunity for adventure, and great memories. So happy to hike this day with Dan, Denise, Frank, Lynn, Marcia, Mark, Mike, and Per. Big thanks also to Mark, Mike, and Lynn for the help planning and corralling folks. 'Til next time! |
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 | Name: |
Erik Bertrand |
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 | E-Mail: |
erik@bertpc.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2020-03-08 |
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 | Link: |
 https://www.gaiagps.com/datasummary/track/64bc531231a12df9cf1c52e0e0c695ac0346561a/?layer=GaiaTopoRasterFeet |
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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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