Tumbledown and Little Jackson 9-29-13

[tomcat32]

After years of seeing photos and hearing about how nice Tumbledown is, I finally made the trip. This was the last major hiking area in ME that I haven't been to and boy was I missing out. The Tumbledown peaks and Little Jackson are stunning. Throw in a blue bird day and foliage, you can't go wrong.
A couple of notes.
The Loop Trail trailhead is easy too overlook. It is just before the pull off to park. We didn't find it immediately and another duo was having a hard time finding it.

At a point on the trail there is a jumble of paths and we took the wrong one. It lead to some class 4 scrambling and bushwacking but we easily found the trail after a short bit. These may be herd paths to a rock band to climb. There was litter in the area and even a fixed rope at one point.

It may be in the newest ME MTN Guide but there is a unofficial path to L Jackson near the pond outlet. There was even a sign pointing to that direction but no blazes. This trail is confusing at times with numerous wrong turn herd paths coming off of it and some overgrown sections. Eventually cairns and flagging are seen and higher is becomes more evident.

Little Jackson is stunning alpine peak with awesome views in all directions and worth the trip in addition to Tumbledown

It gets very crowded around pond area later in the day so go early to avoid this.

Dozens and pics and full report at my blog http://tomcatoutdoors.blogspot.com/2013/09/tumbledown-mountain-and-little-jackson.html

 

[iagreewithjamie]

Every time I read a report on Tumbledown, I'm instantly filled with a desire to go there. Yours is the third report I've seen from there this month.

Out of curiosity, does the normal trail contain the class 4 cliff climb, or was that on your report simply because you made a wrong turn?

 

[Quietman]

The loop trail has 2 steep sections above and below the great ledges, but I believe that the "cliffs" in his report are off of the main trail. I do remember when ascending the very steep section above the great ledges, I looked to the right of the trail and saw climbers ascending with ropes, but the trail is just a very steep trail. When I did this hike a few years ago, there was a sign at the top that said "Not Recommended for Small Children or Dogs". But there wasn't a sign at the trailhead.

 

[tomcat32]

That cliff is avoided if you stay on trail. I think we followed some herd path to the cliffs accidentally. You still a few places where you may need to use your hands around the cave but nothing too serious.

 

[marty]

The cliff area, with a chimney, was once part of the Loop Trail, which was a true loop. That part of the loop was closed when the chimney collapsed several years ago. Old trail guides will still show the loop.

Marty