Katahdin Iron Works to Monson

[RTSpoons]

Would like some information about this pending hike. We plan on going June 3rd or 4th, probably two days of walking.

How bad is it from the Iron Works to Long Pond lean-to? Does it make more sense to stop near Lake Cloud and push oursevles the next day?

Is there still snow cover in this area of Maine?

Any information or suggestions would be helpful.

Happy trails.....

 

[Papa Bear]

The terrain is not bad, but the Barren / Chairback range will be tough if you haven't kept in good shape over the winter (I know that's me).

I think your greatest problems will be river crossings this early in the season. Vaughn Brook and Wilbur Brook can be very tricky although they are not wide. Big and Little Wilson are wider but can be very swift.

We went north and were stopped by Wilbur Brook after a heavy late August rain. A fellow hiker got across Wilbur but was wiped out (literally swept away - lost a lot of stuff from his pack) by Vaughn. Link to my report

River levels can be highly variable. Try to get local information when you are ready to go.

 

[askus3]

I sent you an e-mail about terrain and where to stop and how to break it up. As for snow, maybe at the higher elevations but from what I read on Whiteblaze, the snow should be gone. The river crossings (those mentioned by Papa Bear) will be serious challenges.