| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Goose Eye Mountain, ME |
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 | Trails: |
Wright Trail, Mahoosuc Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Tuesday, December 14, 2021 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Ol' Spence nearly put his truck in the Sunday River yesterday. It is an absolute miracle that I made it off of Bull Branch Road. I was expecting a 1.7 mile road walk from the gate both ways (gate just beyond the double bridge crossing at start of Bull Branch Road), but when I got there at 11:30 the gate was open. Up to this point the drive had been easy and unremarkable. I almost stopped, and should have certainly stopped if I wasn't a complete idiot, but the road was flat, albeit it 100% covered in thick blue ice from curb to curb. So I went for it. After .5 miles there were a few small bumps, which were terrifying with no traction/brakes, but at that point you have nowhere to turn around and no way to stop, so you just have to keep going. I had a chance to stop at 1.4 miles just after crossing the Sunday River on a small bridge, but once again I am an idiot so I went up the mellow hill beyond it, where I eventually ran out of momentum near the top, and began a fast slide backwards/sideways down towards the river. I got my front tire into a ditch which slowed me down enough to avoid complete disaster, and after sliding a total of 200' or so I came to a rest. I was able to do a 3-point turn and walked the last five minutes to trailhead. I barely made it out at 3:30 after several more not-quite-as close calls. I closed the gate on my way out as a public safety precaution, because there is a small chance there's someone as dumb as me out there who also might try to drive the road, although they would have to be particularly dumb. The gate can be opened in 30 seconds it is not locked. Like some folks on here, I do enjoy a cheap thrill, but this thrill was almost very expensive and very inconvenient. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Ice - Blue, Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular, Snow - Drifts |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Light Traction, Traction |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
The main crossings were fairly easy. Some rocks were icy but enough were not icy so you could choose a pretty safe and easy hop. many smaller crossings were very easy |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
a few blowdowns- didn't take detailed mental notes on these but recall one big one with a herd path established |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
perilous conditions for any dog of any hiking caliber. Thick ice flows on all sections above the tentsite including steep scrambles and ledges. Only smart thing I did all day was not taking Fin. Not a great time for dogs on big mountains right now from what I am reading and experiencing. We need some snow!!! |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
lost my damn sense |
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 | Comments: |
-Starting at 11:30 by yourself on one of the shortest days of the year-check!
-Howling winds that will knock your around-check!
-Thick blue ice flows covering the entire steep and scrambly mountain-check!
-Treacherous road that tries to kill you on the way in and out-check!
The trail conditions were yikes! The Bull Branch Road conditions were 1,000,000X yikes. Crampons necessary for safe passage in many long stretches above the tentsite. I used Hillsound Pro hybrid crampons and they worked great. There were some 3-5 minute stretches up high with bare spots, so your crampons will take a small beating unless you have the patience to take them on/off in howling wind gusts. Microspikes were sufficient up until there. I'd say 70% ice, 20 % frozen granular, and 10% bare rocks/roots/frozen mud. The trail conditions were a real mess. First time getting knocked around by wind up high-it really added to the theme of the day-DANGER! 4.4 miles of new redlining was well earned. No other people out there-lucky them:) |
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 | Name: |
Spence |
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 | E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2021-12-15 |
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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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