NewEnglandTrailConditions.com
NewEnglandTrailConditions.com:
MA
|
ME
|
NH
|
RI/CT
|
VT
|
Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks Bear Mountain, ME
Trails
Trails: Bear Mountain Trail, unnamed trails
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Sunday, April 4, 2021
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: Park at the signed lot, not next to the white fence 
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Significant, Snow/Ice - Small Patches 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment:  
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: Some small stream crossings and running water in trail, but nothing significant 
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes: The main trail is pretty clear, but there are some blowdowns on the trail to the western summit 
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes:  
Bugs
Bugs: Not yet 
Lost and Found
Lost and Found:  
 
Comments
Comments: Today I tried another mountain near me that I'd never done before, Bear Mountain in Hartford. With clear skies and temperatures in the 40s, it was a perfect day for a hike! The trails were wet and muddy in places, but it was definitely manageable and there was almost no snow left.

There is a nice signed parking area just southeast of the 4-way intersection where Bear Mountain Road starts. Be sure not to park along the white fence, per the landowner's request. I followed a small arrow pointing to a skidder path to the rear of the parking area to start. The markings soon get somewhat confusing, but if you mostly stay left, you'll find your way out to Bear Mountain Road (posted signs facing the other direction don't apply to hikers). The other option is to do a short road walk up the Bear Mountain Road to this point.

From here, I followed Bear Mountain Road as it deteriorated into a trail. Soon after it levelled out, I took a right on a lesser used path towards the west summit. There are good views to the north and west from the west summit, and it sees much less traffic than the main summit.

After returning to the main trail, I followed it past some intersecting ATV trails to the main summit. There are many open ledges here to explore with panoramic views to the east, south, and west. It's a nice summit to wander around and follow the various paths leading to other views.

On the way down, I took a trail slightly east of the main trail which went past a nice view and led through some ledgy areas with blueberry bushes, before looping back to the main trail. I also ran in to the landowner of the first section of trail. She was very nice, and I made sure to thank her for allowing continued public access to her land. Other than her, I didn't see anyone else out on the trails on this beautiful day!  
Name
Name: Sam Shirley 
E-Mail
E-Mail: newenglandskier13@aol.com 
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2021-04-04 
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