| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Chairback Mountain, Columbus Mountain, Third Mountain, ME |
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 | Trails: |
Appalachian Trail, Third Mountain Trail, road walk, Henderson Brook Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Monday, August 10, 2020 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
I accessed the AT where it crosses KI Road, about 14 miles in on this excellent gravel road. This is a private logging road open to the public. There is a day use fee ($11 for Mainers) payable at the checkpoint. The checkpoint is open 0600 to 2100 through the summer months. The checkpoint is gated. The gravel road is good for any vehicle. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
None. All water levels are low. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Very faded blue blazes on Henderson Brook. Otherwise great trails! |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Very dry trail. Bring water. Otherwise good trail for dogs. |
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 | Bugs: |
Where aren’t there bugs in Maine? |
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 | Lost and Found: |
Hat. Left on tree where found just before the Chairback lean-to. |
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 | Comments: |
Appalachian Trail (southbound), Third Mountain Trail, roadwalk, Henderson Brook Trail
The AT is blazed in standard white blazes. The water point for the shelter/lean-to is crap right now. This dry summer has left this already small brook trickling and mostly full of algae. Some good rain might beef it up. The one really good water point is just before West Chairback Pond. But that’s it between Third Mountain and the ford just after the Hermitage. One short, steep rock scramble near the Chairback summit.
Third Mountain Trail is well maintained, well blazed in blue. Nice trail! The grade is easy to moderate up to the junction with the AT. The junction is clearly signed.
I had originally wanted to take the Gorman Loop trail but I was not able to locate the intersection. ? Must have blown by it? Also, this trail was supposed to connect with Chairback Mountain Rd near the lodge entrance but I didn’t see a sign there either.
Henderson Brook Trail is a lesser used, but wonderful trail. Though the double blue blazes are very faded, you can still see them. The foot path is clearly defined. And what a nice path it is! Cribbing, wooden ladders, wood steps, block work all make this a soft, mostly root and rock free foot path that follows the Henderson Broom back to its intersection with the AT near the KI road. The sign said the trail was 1.6 miles. That seems right. The AMC map says it’s 0.9 miles. |
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 | Name: |
Remington34 |
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 | E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2020-08-11 |
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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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