For those who have recently climbed Coburn, Boundary Bald, and Big Spencer, how were the road conditions when approaching the starting points for these hikes? Are they driveable for smaller cars, or do should I look into borrowing a higher vehicle if I want to claim these peaks?
Road Conditions to Maine Peaks
- Thread starter Nate
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spencer
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Be afraid... be very afraid!
that was on the way to Big Spencer. but don't worry, it was in May.
the roads are fine this time of year. watch for hunters.
spencer
that was on the way to Big Spencer. but don't worry, it was in May.
the roads are fine this time of year. watch for hunters.
spencer
I heard the road into Coburn could be fairly rough, especially when driving all the way to the old base lodge. Plus, I wasn't sure if the full length of the approach to Boundary Bald is also driveable by smaller vehicles. As general rule, should lower cars not be attempted on these roads (as well as the route for Big Spencer) until mid-June or so, when the roads have been completely serviced in the wake of mud season?
Gamehiker
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I drive a Mitsubishi Lancer and I have climbed all 3 of these this summer.
Coburn 6/5/05
This was the worst one. Major washouts almost immediately after bearing right (almost straight) from main road. I chickened out and walked it. After 3 or 4 really bad washouts the road was fine all the way to the old base lodge area. Nice road walk though, pretty open, decent views.
Big Spencer 8/14/05
The worst part was the 8 miles from the end of pavement in Kokadjo to the stone pillars at Sias Hill, lots of washboarding. After that it was really smooth all the way to the trailhead.
Boundary Bald 9/5/05
Good road all the way to the last fork in the road and I gulped and drove the last 0.4 miles and parked. It turned out okay I just took it really slow.
Nate, I was going to go around in to Canada to hike Boundary Peak but after reading your trip report I might try the Wiggle Brook, Cupsuptic Pond way.
Coburn 6/5/05
This was the worst one. Major washouts almost immediately after bearing right (almost straight) from main road. I chickened out and walked it. After 3 or 4 really bad washouts the road was fine all the way to the old base lodge area. Nice road walk though, pretty open, decent views.
Big Spencer 8/14/05
The worst part was the 8 miles from the end of pavement in Kokadjo to the stone pillars at Sias Hill, lots of washboarding. After that it was really smooth all the way to the trailhead.
Boundary Bald 9/5/05
Good road all the way to the last fork in the road and I gulped and drove the last 0.4 miles and parked. It turned out okay I just took it really slow.
Nate, I was going to go around in to Canada to hike Boundary Peak but after reading your trip report I might try the Wiggle Brook, Cupsuptic Pond way.
Papa Bear
New member
A few of things:
Coburn road was easier last November when the washouts were frozen over and there was not much snow to speak of. In May we turned around.
Big Spencer was fine in July. Remember the true peak is .3 miles past the tower. A very thick .3 miles bushwhack.
Little Spencer: consider doing this if you are out there. Glorious mountain and really fun trail.
If you are 3k bagging, remember all three have a second peak: on Big Spencer it's at the other end of the ridge - long tough bushwhack; Coburn has a north peak (see a recent trail report), and Boundary Bald has a second peak.
Have fun. It's a great area. For some reports see my "Fifty Finest" link in my signature.
Coburn road was easier last November when the washouts were frozen over and there was not much snow to speak of. In May we turned around.
Big Spencer was fine in July. Remember the true peak is .3 miles past the tower. A very thick .3 miles bushwhack.
Little Spencer: consider doing this if you are out there. Glorious mountain and really fun trail.
If you are 3k bagging, remember all three have a second peak: on Big Spencer it's at the other end of the ridge - long tough bushwhack; Coburn has a north peak (see a recent trail report), and Boundary Bald has a second peak.
Have fun. It's a great area. For some reports see my "Fifty Finest" link in my signature.
Last edited:
The only really dicey road was that to Coburn. There are a number of "water bars" along the way where you have to carefully pick a diagonal track to avoid ripping out your undercarriage or exhaust system. I managed it with a Geo Prizm, but it was a tense drive!
I recall driving far up the road to Boundary Bald before encountering rocky conditions too rough for the car. This wasn't too far from the trail's beginning.
I have good memories of visiting those peaks last fall.
I recall driving far up the road to Boundary Bald before encountering rocky conditions too rough for the car. This wasn't too far from the trail's beginning.
I have good memories of visiting those peaks last fall.
Dennis C.
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It's always Risky Business (no, not the movie 
) to use 2WD low clearance vehicles on rough back country roads in the pursuit of these bushwhack mountains. We used to bring a shovel that sometimes helped at washouts and an axe. We actually had a tree fall across the logging road (!) during the day while we in there getting the (5) Lily Bay and Baker peaks.
) to use 2WD low clearance vehicles on rough back country roads in the pursuit of these bushwhack mountains. We used to bring a shovel that sometimes helped at washouts and an axe. We actually had a tree fall across the logging road (!) during the day while we in there getting the (5) Lily Bay and Baker peaks.
MarkJ
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good advice
Bring anything you can to avoid trouble!!!!!MJ
Bring anything you can to avoid trouble!!!!!MJ
Having visited some of these peaks over Memorial Day Weekend, I was able to find out first hand how drivable these roads are for small cars.
For Gold Brook/Beaudry Road, it was in rough shape, with a fair amount of pot holes, with some washboard and protruding rocks to watch out for. There was even one rough muddy spot where my poor car bottomed out (twice). It was a rough enough ride that once I reached the turn for the Kibby Mountain trail, I simply parked on the side of the main road and walked the last 0.3 mile. I found the logging road to be rocky, but without anything protruding or too large, it's very driveable. Although unsigned, the trail comes in where the logging road's shoulders widen enough to accomodate a parking area. I even observed a Corolla parked there, which just goes to show that even in a small car, careful driving can get you all the way to that trailhead. However, during my hike I ran into the owner, and we both agreed that Beaudry Road was in rough enough shape that we wouldn't willingly drive on it again unless the road had been improved.
After Kibby I continued on to West Caribou, and en route I found that Beaudry Road was in better shape during that last 3-4 miles than for the first nine in getting to Kibby. Once reaching West Branch Road, I found it did live up to its description of being narrow. Really narrow. It was basically two ruts with a grassy strip down the middle. I drove about a half mile down it, but I was getting really paranoid that my oil pan was about to make contact with a rock hiding in the grass. Walking the rest of the way in, I observed that despite its narrowness, the road was in solid condition, and the few protruding rocks were obvious, and there was a rough patch or two. About two miles in there's a bridge where part of the road is washed away at the approach, so one needs some boards or a higher vehicle in order to drive onto it. At three miles, I observed that some people had driven in their pick up that far and were camping near the twisted bridge, which shows that a higher clearance vehicle can still make it at least that far. My car could have probably made it the first two miles, but even though the road seemed okay, it was so narrow that it would make me nervous enough that I'd rather just hike in.
The next day I visited Boundary Bald, and the main dirt road going in (Bald Mountain Road) was in adequate shape (just a few rough spots and some easily avoidable rocks to watch out for). However, when I reached Notch Road, I found that it was rather rocky and rough, and considering I'd only be on it for 0.2 miles it just wasn't worth it in my low car. Not for gaining so little distance. Higher clearance vehicles shouldn't have a problem getting to the turn for Trail Road.
Later that day I drifted down to Coburn. Like everyone else, I simply drove the first 0.25 and parked a little before the first stream crossing. A sturdy truck can make it all the way to the base of the mountain (as I observed in person while I was there).
On the following day I visited Moxie Mountain. For some reason, Troutdale/Town Line Road was pot hole city when approaching from the north. Once on Dimmick Pond Road, I drove with great care and was able to get my low car all the way to the campsite area. Along the way I think I found the washout that Papa Bear mentioned in his trip report. When I was there, water covered at least four fifth's of the road surface. However, in examining the area, I found that the puddle wasn't that deep, and there weren't any rocks lurking underneath. Sticking to the north, drier side of the road, I passed through both times without a problem.
Just overall, it seemed like all the dirt roads I encountered that weekend were surprisingly rough. I can only guess that the recent rains had prevented the roads from being graded since mud season. I just hope that anyone who visits these mountains in a low clearance vehicle finds these roads in better shape than I did.
For Gold Brook/Beaudry Road, it was in rough shape, with a fair amount of pot holes, with some washboard and protruding rocks to watch out for. There was even one rough muddy spot where my poor car bottomed out (twice). It was a rough enough ride that once I reached the turn for the Kibby Mountain trail, I simply parked on the side of the main road and walked the last 0.3 mile. I found the logging road to be rocky, but without anything protruding or too large, it's very driveable. Although unsigned, the trail comes in where the logging road's shoulders widen enough to accomodate a parking area. I even observed a Corolla parked there, which just goes to show that even in a small car, careful driving can get you all the way to that trailhead. However, during my hike I ran into the owner, and we both agreed that Beaudry Road was in rough enough shape that we wouldn't willingly drive on it again unless the road had been improved.
After Kibby I continued on to West Caribou, and en route I found that Beaudry Road was in better shape during that last 3-4 miles than for the first nine in getting to Kibby. Once reaching West Branch Road, I found it did live up to its description of being narrow. Really narrow. It was basically two ruts with a grassy strip down the middle. I drove about a half mile down it, but I was getting really paranoid that my oil pan was about to make contact with a rock hiding in the grass. Walking the rest of the way in, I observed that despite its narrowness, the road was in solid condition, and the few protruding rocks were obvious, and there was a rough patch or two. About two miles in there's a bridge where part of the road is washed away at the approach, so one needs some boards or a higher vehicle in order to drive onto it. At three miles, I observed that some people had driven in their pick up that far and were camping near the twisted bridge, which shows that a higher clearance vehicle can still make it at least that far. My car could have probably made it the first two miles, but even though the road seemed okay, it was so narrow that it would make me nervous enough that I'd rather just hike in.
The next day I visited Boundary Bald, and the main dirt road going in (Bald Mountain Road) was in adequate shape (just a few rough spots and some easily avoidable rocks to watch out for). However, when I reached Notch Road, I found that it was rather rocky and rough, and considering I'd only be on it for 0.2 miles it just wasn't worth it in my low car. Not for gaining so little distance. Higher clearance vehicles shouldn't have a problem getting to the turn for Trail Road.
Later that day I drifted down to Coburn. Like everyone else, I simply drove the first 0.25 and parked a little before the first stream crossing. A sturdy truck can make it all the way to the base of the mountain (as I observed in person while I was there).
On the following day I visited Moxie Mountain. For some reason, Troutdale/Town Line Road was pot hole city when approaching from the north. Once on Dimmick Pond Road, I drove with great care and was able to get my low car all the way to the campsite area. Along the way I think I found the washout that Papa Bear mentioned in his trip report. When I was there, water covered at least four fifth's of the road surface. However, in examining the area, I found that the puddle wasn't that deep, and there weren't any rocks lurking underneath. Sticking to the north, drier side of the road, I passed through both times without a problem.
Just overall, it seemed like all the dirt roads I encountered that weekend were surprisingly rough. I can only guess that the recent rains had prevented the roads from being graded since mud season. I just hope that anyone who visits these mountains in a low clearance vehicle finds these roads in better shape than I did.
Papa Bear
New member
Hey Nate - you ressurected a pretty old thread. Did you climb all those mountains or just do the driving?
I guess I know what list you're working on. How about some trip reports - of the mountains, not the roads!
Seriously, by June the logging companies should have graded these roads. Especially Baudrey and Town Line - it's a surprise that such major roads are bad at this point. It must have been a tough Spring.
Looks like you had a real big weekend.
Cheers.
Pb
I guess I know what list you're working on. How about some trip reports - of the mountains, not the roads!
Seriously, by June the logging companies should have graded these roads. Especially Baudrey and Town Line - it's a surprise that such major roads are bad at this point. It must have been a tough Spring.
Looks like you had a real big weekend.
Cheers.
Pb
Papa Bear, I didn't realize nine months passing made this an old thread. Since road conditions are such a dynamic thing, I think providing updates once a year isn't such a bad idea. As for the conditions I encountered, it had rained a fair amount just before I went up for Memorial Day Weekend, and I think the locals just hadn't had a chance to improve the roads yet. In fact, it's pretty consistent with what I encountered a year ago that weekend. Back then, I found that the roads in the Cupsuptic area were fairly rough (at least for my car; a higher-built model wouldn't have had any issues), but when I returned in August they were much improved.
As for trip reports, the ones you wrote for these peaks are so thorough that there isn't anything I can add (other than how much my car hates the approach roads right now). Needless to say, the views from Kibby are gorgeous, and on Boundary Bald it's worth the price of admission just to crest the sub-peak and get your first glimpse of the radio equipment building. From a distance it's fun to imagine it's a sizable gingerbread house sitting on a large hill, occupied by the powerful Wizard of the North Woods (there's probably a best selling children's book in there somewhere).
Anyway, in spite of the roads it proved to be a productive weekend, and once I have more time I guess I should post a trip report or two.
Until then, onward and upward,
Nate
As for trip reports, the ones you wrote for these peaks are so thorough that there isn't anything I can add (other than how much my car hates the approach roads right now). Needless to say, the views from Kibby are gorgeous, and on Boundary Bald it's worth the price of admission just to crest the sub-peak and get your first glimpse of the radio equipment building. From a distance it's fun to imagine it's a sizable gingerbread house sitting on a large hill, occupied by the powerful Wizard of the North Woods (there's probably a best selling children's book in there somewhere).
Anyway, in spite of the roads it proved to be a productive weekend, and once I have more time I guess I should post a trip report or two.
Until then, onward and upward,
Nate
Papa Bear
New member
Hi Nate
I hope you know my comment was toungue-in-cheek, not meant as a criticism.
I like to see road conditions reports too, so when I saw this thread I was interested, but as I read it I saw first Spencer's pictures then my own response and I said "wait a minute I didn't respond to this .... oops that was last year, O well."
I liked your report of Coburn, even though we were up there recently. The road seems to be getting worse. And we didn't do the east peak so that interests me. I think the real bottom line on Coburn for those interested, is to do it in winter - maybe ski in. Should be easier.
Big Spencer is another one. I did that main peak twice - once in May and once in July. May was easy, July was terrible. So conditions change and on a bushwhack a few hundred feet can make a big difference.
So keep the reports coming.
Best regards
Pb
I hope you know my comment was toungue-in-cheek, not meant as a criticism.
I like to see road conditions reports too, so when I saw this thread I was interested, but as I read it I saw first Spencer's pictures then my own response and I said "wait a minute I didn't respond to this .... oops that was last year, O well."
I liked your report of Coburn, even though we were up there recently. The road seems to be getting worse. And we didn't do the east peak so that interests me. I think the real bottom line on Coburn for those interested, is to do it in winter - maybe ski in. Should be easier.
Big Spencer is another one. I did that main peak twice - once in May and once in July. May was easy, July was terrible. So conditions change and on a bushwhack a few hundred feet can make a big difference.
So keep the reports coming.
Best regards
Pb
Papa Bear, I know you were initially being facetious in your message. After all, you even spotted the reader a smiley. I'm just sorry if my response sounded overly serious or defensive.
Moving on, you just made an interesting point about bushwhacking conditions. If the thick stuff is usually due to overly thick spruce trees, one would think that those patches would be equally thick in all seasons (although if the snow is deep enough I suppose you could just walk over them in winter). Plus, you're totally correct in stating just a little bit of distance can make a huge difference when it comes to whether a bushwhacking course is really difficult or not too bad. But, when the same starting point is used for multiple whacks headed to the same destination, one would think there would be one obvious route of least resistance. Perhaps conditions change quickly enough that this isn't always true.
Moving on, you just made an interesting point about bushwhacking conditions. If the thick stuff is usually due to overly thick spruce trees, one would think that those patches would be equally thick in all seasons (although if the snow is deep enough I suppose you could just walk over them in winter). Plus, you're totally correct in stating just a little bit of distance can make a huge difference when it comes to whether a bushwhacking course is really difficult or not too bad. But, when the same starting point is used for multiple whacks headed to the same destination, one would think there would be one obvious route of least resistance. Perhaps conditions change quickly enough that this isn't always true.
Dennis C.
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Nate, there have been some pretty wild mountain tales coming out of the Gold Brook/Beaudry Road area over the years. It's home to about of 25 of the Maine 3000 footers. Here's one (true!): Back in the mid 80s, my climbing partner Sonny M. and I joined up with RoySwkr and the "Peakmaster" for a weekend of peak bagging. Roy (with Art) was "barreling along" Beaudry with Sonny following in "hot pursuit". All of a sudden --- WHAM! --- Roy hits one those protruding rocks you mentioned. Then --- BAM! --- Sonny didn't react quick enough to Roy's misfortune. They both hit the exact same rock with similar result: bent wheel rim flat tires .... pretty wild country for sure!
onestep
New member
Road conditions
Another thing that makes Maine logging roads so interesting is that conditions can change so quickly. I just heard from JimC that yesterday the IP road leading to Black Nubble is in good shape. He saw no evidence of the high crown & mud hole that stopped me dead in my tracks 3 weeks ago!
Onestep
Another thing that makes Maine logging roads so interesting is that conditions can change so quickly. I just heard from JimC that yesterday the IP road leading to Black Nubble is in good shape. He saw no evidence of the high crown & mud hole that stopped me dead in my tracks 3 weeks ago!
Onestep
Yeah, when I was Kibby, I was talking to another group of hikers, and they said how in years past, sometimes Beaudry Road would be in good enough shape that one could do about 50 mph on it. It really is a function of the last time the road has been graded and tended to.
The real question is if a high clearance vehicle will be mandatory at the end of the summer, when I'd like to like to knock off some FF peaks in the Moosehead/Brownsville area (i.e. Saddleback, White Cap, the Spencers, and the Baker peaks). Gas prices being what they are I'll like not to have to borrow a large vehicle, but I'd prefer not to have to worry about my oil pan either.
The real question is if a high clearance vehicle will be mandatory at the end of the summer, when I'd like to like to knock off some FF peaks in the Moosehead/Brownsville area (i.e. Saddleback, White Cap, the Spencers, and the Baker peaks). Gas prices being what they are I'll like not to have to borrow a large vehicle, but I'd prefer not to have to worry about my oil pan either.
Dennis C.
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Take the high clearance 4WD vehicle if you can drive in (bike beyond locked gates in ADKS) ... a hiking friend (carpool) ... car camp (day hikes as applicable) ... share expenses = a winning formula for Northeast peakbagging!
dms
Active member
Nate, as for the Baker peaks, I suggest you have a high clearance vehicle for that approach. For the others that you mentioned you should be fine.
As an addendum to the recent posts on this thread (for anyone who's turning to this thread for guidance), having now visited all these peaks, on the day I visited each one I found all the approach roads to be driveable, even by a standard subcompact. Both Little and Big Spencer are popular hikes, so thus people in general don't have a problem driving in to the trailheads (although the last stretch of road into the latter didn't seem to be regularly maintained any more, so I wonder if in a few years it will deteriorate into not being drivable for smaller cars). Since the area west of the Bakers is currently being logged, those roads are fine (although you'll want to go a little slow in one or two spots). As for the last couple of miles heading to White Cap (the White Brook trailhead) and Saddleback, neither road seemed to be actively maintained, and while both were drivable at the time, they were rough enough that I wasn't very comfortable doing so in a lower car. Vehicles with higher clearance won't have a problem.
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