| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Kibby Mountain, ME |
|
 | Trails: |
Kibby Mountain Trail |
|
 | Date of Hike: |
Tuesday, May 18, 2021 |
|
 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Road is fine for all vehicles and there is way more parking at the trailhead than will ever be used. |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Snow - Spring Snow, Snow/Ice - Small Patches |
|
 | Recommended Equipment: |
Light Traction |
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
No significant crossings |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Trail is unmarked, but very well maintained. Not even a single blowdown across the trail. |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Would be great for dogs |
|
 | Bugs: |
None, thank goodness |
|
 | Lost and Found: |
|
|
|
|
|
 | Comments: |
We headed north today to hike Kibby Mountain near the Canadian border. The directions and trail description in the Maine Mountain Guide were spot on, except that it was about 1/3 of a mile longer each way, according to our measure, than what the MMG listed. Although it's a tall mountain, it isn't all that difficult of a hike, thanks to the fact that the trail follows the old access road to the fire tower and the trailhead is at over 2,500' in elevation.
The roads to the trailhead do not require high clearance or AWD, as long as care is taken on the last 1/3 mile to the trailhead which has some areas which are a bit washed out. The trail up the mountain is unmarked, but is obvious and is very well maintained; there wasn't even a single blowdown across the trail. From the parking area, the first section of trail follows a woods road which is occasionally used by 4wd vehicles to access the cabin. At 0.9 mile the trail forks. The left fork leads to the old fire warden's cabin in about 1/3 mile (I'm not sure if the cabin has been renovated or if it's a newer building at the site.).
The right fork leads to the summit along a narrower trail. The trail turns right at a large switchback and climbs along a ridge to the summit. In this section, we encountered some significant areas of snow. We traversed them without mircospikes, but some might find them helpful. At the summit stands the remains of a fire tower which has been converted into an observation tower. I believe the tower used to be taller, because there is a section of tower lying in the woods near the summit.
From the observation deck on the tower are some of the best views that I've seen anywhere. It is a truly stunning 360 degree panorama encompassing countless rugged mountains across a large swath of Maine and Quebec. The observation deck does have some rotting boards, but the structural beams and railings are sound and we both felt comfortable spending about an hour up there enjoying the views and eating lunch, as long as we were careful about our footing.
Kibby may be a long way away from most people, but if you're looking for a not too difficult hike with truly amazing views, where you are unlikely to see anyone else, it can't be beat. |
|
 | Name: |
Sam Shirley |
|
 | E-Mail: |
newenglandskier13@aol.com |
|
| Date Submitted: |
2021-05-18 |
|
 | Link: |
 https:// |
|
|
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. |
|
