Maine conditions

[rup]

It's May, and after a week of downpor (at least in NJ), the snow should be gone, or at least enuff to bareboot. In addition, the Sugarloaf webcam shows not much snow on the slopes:

http://www.sugarloaf.com/TheMountain/livecam.html

Thinking of Old Spec, Saddleback, or Crockers for Memorial Day. Are the trails ok for barebooting?? And what are the expected dates for the 'bug bloom' this year??

 

[DougPaul]

There are recent reports of deep rotten snow in the Whites: eg the recent missing hikers in Franconia Notch and Northern Pressies (Great Gulf).

The Mt Washington webcams also show significant amounts of snow at higher elevations: http://www.mountwashington.org/weather/cam/index.php

I'd hazard a guess that there is also deep rotten snow in various spots in Maine too...

Doug

 

[TDawg]

Maybe down in the "Joisy" hills the snow is gone but not in Maine/NH.

And snow on the ski slopes disappears a lot faster out in the sun than snow hidden in the shade of the spruce trees. I wouldn't assume dry or snow/ice free trails above 2700-3000ft quite yet. By Memorial Day we'd be getting closer, but I still wouldn't assume snow free. But by the end of May, maybe you'd be able to leave the snowshoes in the car and bring some lighter traction instead.

As for black flies, they're blooming as we speak, not quite biting yet but they're around here in Thornton, NH. Every day the swarm around your head gets a little bigger.

Edit: Here's an Old Speck trail conditions entry from 5/3/09.

 

[rup]

Not much snow. if any, up high on Sugarloaf (look at the summit cam). Saw the Old Spec trip report - sounds like hardpack.

 

[nartreb]

I remember patches of snow under the thick firs of Spaulding (next to Sugarloaf) well into June, but that's a separate question from whether you should bring snowshoes. Judging by last weekend in the northern Presidentials, anything below 3500 feet, south-facing, or above treeline (the Bowl excepted) is close enough to snow-free that you shouldn't bother with snowshoes - maybe some light traction instead. Trails that are both high and shady, or north-facing, for long enough, might be a different story right now, but by Memorial day I wouldn't worry about them either.

Edit: make that June 2, 2007:

Not exactly a reason for bringing snowshoes.

 

[TDawg]

Not much snow. if any, up high on Sugarloaf (look at the summit cam).

I did look at it, and it doesn't really mean much to me. Not much snow accumulates high on Sugarloaf in the snowfields because, if you've ever been there, it is above treeline at the summit and gets blown off. (On a side note, Sugarloaf snowfields = overrated skiing a lot of the time) Its like saying, "Oh, theres not much snow at the summit of Eisenhower."

If they had a webcam in the trees just below treeline, I'd put money it would show a few feet of snow at least. Sure, hiking the ski trails to the top you could probably bareboot right now. But the AT gets little use during the winter I think, I wouldn't bet on a well consolidated monorail there coming up from Caribou Valley Rd at this point in time.

sounds like hardpack.

It does in the report, but thats if temps are on the low end I think. Not sure how "hardpack" it will be when its 75 degrees and sunny in the afternoon! You can bareboot anything I guess, its just up to you how much you wanna struggle and/or mess up the trail for others. But realistically, by Memorial Day the snow should be close to history. Have a nice trip.

 

[rup]

What's the car time from, say, N Conway to Old Spec?? 1 -1.5 hrs??

 

[vegematic]

I'd say more like 1:45. I live in Bethel and it's usually about 0:30 to Old Speck and 1:15 to North Conway, assuming you don't hit traffic on RT 16.
-vegematic

 

[peakbagger]

Lots of work on RT 2 near the Maine line these days, plus it looks like RT 16 is going to get some significant paving work north of Glen, anyone traveling that route may want to add some cushion time. A nice alternative to waiting in line on RT 2 but not any quicker is to take the North Road in Gilead, it runs all the way to Bethel via the north side of the river and skips all the construction.

 

[rup]

Are there any other places to stay in Bethel less pricy than the Bethel Inn? Perhaps at the ski area?

 

[kevinmac]

If you don't want to camp, try the Chapman Inn-Dorm Section. $35.00 gets you a bed and full gourmet breakfast. I have stayed there before with some ski groups and it's a good place.
http://www.chapmaninn.com/room_tour.htm

The other room prices are pretty reasonable considering they include breakfast.

 

[vegematic]

There is a youth hostel on RT2 in West Bethel, as well as a motel (Pleasant River Motel) also in West Bethel. Don't know what the rates are, and never been inside, but bound to be cheaper than Bethel Inn.
-vegematic

 

[rup]

Perhaps it's the Bethel Inn then. I refer (tounge and cheek) to our hiking program of late as the '4 X 4' tour: 4000 footers (me) by day, and 4 star hotels (wife) at night. Haven't seen any 4 stars, but you get the point. We'll probably camp if the bugs / no-see-ums aren't in force.

Only 10 more in Maine to go for NE 4000, and then 30 more in the ADKs.

 

[vegematic]

I don't know how they compare price-wise but in the Village there is also the Sudbury Inn and the Victoria Inn, both of which seem to be well-liked. I know both families but have not stayed in either inn.

There's a more complete listing at the Chamber of Commerce website. I think you can even call them and make reservations directly through the CoC.

If you are coming up the weekend of the 30th of May, be aware that it's graduation for the private school in town and Inns in the village are likely to be pretty full.
-vegematic

 

[TDawg]

A family that is friends with mine used to stay at The Rostay when we would vacation at Sunday River. They seemed to like it from what I remember.

Not sure how it compares price-wise with the others. The rates are on the site. Closer to the Grafton Notch hiking and the Sunday River Brewery than downtown Bethel.