| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Sugarloaf Mountain (Dixfield), ME |
|
 | Trails: |
Sugarloaf Trail |
|
 | Date of Hike: |
Tuesday, January 11, 2022 |
|
 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Parking pull off on Moxie Heights Road is plowed |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Snow - Unpacked Powder, Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular |
|
 | Recommended Equipment: |
Light Traction |
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
All were frozen |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Trail is clear with decent blazing after leaving the woods road |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
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|
 | Bugs: |
No |
|
 | Lost and Found: |
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|
 | Comments: |
Although it was the coldest day so far this year, it really was a great day for a hike! We chose to hike Sugarloaf in Dixfield, and it turned out to be a great choice!
We were surprised to find that the parking pull off was actually plowed. The first part of the hike on the driveway was plowed, but the plowing ended at the spot where the driveway turns sharply left. The woods road leaving the driveway had a few recent sets of footprints, and neither spikes or snowshoes we're needed at this point.
By the time we reached the spot where the footpath turns off of the old woods road, there were no recent footprints, so we were breaking trail, although the snow was not deep at all. Here, microspikes became necessary as we climbed the steep trail into the col between the two peaks. They were even more of a necessity for the last steep climb up to the summit of the north peak.
Views were excellent from the top, although there was some haze to the south. We were surprised at how warm we were at the summit, thanks to the sun and minimal wind. We ended up staying at the summit for over half an hour before heading down.
Sugarloaf is a great hike in every season, and provides some of the best views around for a peak under 2,000'. |
|
 | Name: |
Sam Shirley |
|
 | E-Mail: |
newenglandskier13@aol.com |
|
| Date Submitted: |
2022-01-11 |
|
 | Link: |
 https://m.facebook.com/groups/MaineHiking/permalink/2468961313246248/ |
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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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