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Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks Sawyer Mountain, ME
Trails
Trails: Smith Trail
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Thursday, March 26, 2020
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: The parking area was open (the guidebook says it’s usually closed during mud season) and wasn’t muddy. The entrance however was pretty worn down and showed an exposed pipe. Take it slow in and out. Rooms for a dozen plus cars probably. Only one other there when I arrived at 5pm and I don’t think they were hiking as I didn’t see anyone on the trails.  
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Dry Trail, Snow - Trace/Minimal Depth, Wet Trail, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Snow - Wet/Sticky, Snow/Ice - Small Patches 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment:  
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: There are two very large and deep puddles (one of which was greater than a foot deep in spots) in the section of trail that coincides with Sawyer Mtn Road. Had to do some rock hopping around here to keep dry feet in trail runners.  
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes: The trail was marked with the turtles as it appears all trail in the Francis Small Heritage Trust are. No blowdowns to contend with. No problems following the trail. It was well signed although the distances were a little off where the trail joins Sawyer Mtn Road.  
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes: I didn’t see any but should be a fine trail for dogs. Be warned that I saw a porcupine on a trail on the other side of the mountain the day before.  
Bugs
Bugs: Some snowfleas again.  
Lost and Found
Lost and Found: None 
 
Comments
Comments: Another evening redline for the AMC’s Maine Mountain guise in the Southwest section. Although it was a nice day I opted not to go to the summit as I was just there Wednesday via the trails on the other side of the mountain and I wanted to squeeze in one other redline before it got dark.

Most of the snow had melted on the trail at the bottom but the snow became increasingly prevalent to essentially full coverage at the jct with the summit spur. No more than 3 inches I’d say usually less. A lot of it had melted and has left a mix of dry and wet trail with a couple wet areas to navigate: two large puddles one of which has water running through it and is very deep both on the part that coincides with Sawyer Mtn Road and one other section where you get to use some small logs as balance beams on the part of the trail before it comes to the road. I used trail runners that aren’t waterproof and my feet definitely got a little wet but not enough to regret wearing them for such a short hike.

Be sure to check out the remains of the old homestead directly across from where Smith Trail comes onto Sawyer Mtn Rd.  
Name
Name: Liam Cooney 
E-Mail
E-Mail: liamcooney96@gmail.com 
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2020-03-27 
Link
Link: https:// 
Bookmark and Share 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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