NewEnglandTrailConditions.com
NewEnglandTrailConditions.com:
MA
|
ME
|
NH
|
RI/CT
|
VT
|
Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks Bemis Mountain - First Peak, Bemis Mountain - Second Peak, Bemis Mountain - Third Peak, Bemis Mountain - Bemis Peak, ME
Trails
Trails: Appalachian Trail, Bemis Stream Trail
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Thursday, May 14, 2020
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: None. ME 17 is a paved, maintained road. 
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Dry Trail, Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Snow - Wet/Sticky, Snow - Spring Snow, Snow/Ice - Postholes 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment: Snowshoes 
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: Large crossing of Bemis Stream 0.7 miles on the AT from intersection with ME 17 accomplished by removing shoes and socks and fording the frigid, quickly moving water. Deepest point was shin depth. Many crossings on the Bemis Stream Trail. Just pick your route, commit and go for the smaller crossings. Deep snow along the sides of the crossings made it more challenging to cross. The major crossing of Bemis Stream down near the logging road was accomplished using available rocks. This was deep, fast moving water. Exercise caution. 
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes: Just lots of blowdowns. More on Bemis Stream Trail than the AT. Bemis Stream is beautifully maintained with bright blue, frequently placed blazes. Great job! The logging operation at the start of Bemis Stream Trail off of ME 17 has obliterated at least 0.4 miles of trail. Slash several feet deep and missing corridor prevented us from using this section of the trail. White blazes on the AT showing wear but are present and visible. Parking sign for Bemis Stream Trail placed on guardrail just before trailhead carin. 
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes: Plenty of water. Crossings may present an issue now, should be fine in warmer months. No treacherous obstacles. 
Bugs
Bugs: Oh yeah, but not too many right now. 
Lost and Found
Lost and Found:  
 
Comments
Comments: Rugged 14 mile loop using southbound AT and Bemis Stream Trail. Nice dry trail up to summit of Bemis, second peak. We donned snowshoes at some point after that (maybe after the ledges?) and left them on until the logging road on Bemis Stream Trail. There is still A LOT of snow at 3000+ feet. Most of this trail after the second peak stays at 3000 feet climbing to the max of 3500 feet. Snowshoes required to complete this loop. Snowshoes. Did I mention that?

Awesome, exhausting day with some really tough Mainers. Total props.  
Name
Name: Remington34 
E-Mail
E-Mail:  
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2020-05-14 
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.

Copyright 2009-2024, All Rights Reserved