| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Caribou Mountain, ME |
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 | Trails: |
Caribou Trail, Mud Brook Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Thursday, December 29, 2011 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Access is via Bog Road off of US 2 about half way between Bethel and Gilead - look for Pooh Corners Farm Sign. Road up to the farm is in good shape, the last .3 miles beyond the farm the road is pretty much solid ice. Got up to trailhead in my outback just taking it slow but there is an area for parking at the farm for those not wanting to venture further; for those going beyond the farm parking for about 4-5 cars at trailhead. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Ice - Black, Ice - Blue, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Light Traction |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Smaller ones no problem, first of the larger crossings ice is set up about halfway across and then you cross on rocks, larger second crossing - while there is ice across it - it is not at all solid yet, you'll need to cross on rocks which do have ice coating to make it a bit challenging |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
A number of blowdowns along the way, many old but many new - mostly stepovers on Caribou but there are a couple that you'll need to go around or over; one large blowdown on Mud Brook - no path has developed around yet so you'll need find your way around. Most of the bog bridges on Caribou are in pretty sad shape with many that will be pretty well useless come spring/summer. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
An easy hike for the canines. |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
Only one on the trail today with no apparent traffic since the last snow. Interesting to hear reports from places in NH reporting little or no wind. Cold temps with a strong wind on the summit today made things really chilly - fortunately most of the hike was out of the wind - layering up was a must on the summit today. However, bluebird skies and great views up top definitely made it a great hike.
Note that there are few blazes but the trail is easy to follow.
Caribou Trail - mostly a hard crust of snow maybe half an inch, a few bare patches and a number of places with ice flows - drainage is not to best on the trail with water typically running down in the summer which has now frozen.
Mud Brook - half hard crusty snow of an inch or so and half ice flows. On Caribou bareboots are probably fine for the most part but heading up Mud brook light traction certainly makes the trek a lot easier! Wore traction from the major crossing on Caribou up to summit and back to the crossing. |
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 | Name: |
Brian from Maine |
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 | E-Mail: |
brobert1@maine.rr.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2011-12-29 |
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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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