Trails Used

Mt Kineo Trail, Bushwhack, Roads, Hubbard Brook Trail, Three Ponds Trail, Donkey Hill Cut Off

Trail Conditions

Notes

Foliage was fantastic especially around the ponds. The trials weren't flooded from the recent storm. Plenty of moose and bear poop found. Enjoyed the nice whack to Kineo too. Quiet day out with just a few people seen at the finish.

Water Crossings

All fine due to small crossings.

Wildlife

Had a couple ticks... they fall brood is coming back.

Trails Used

Hubbard Brook Trail, Mt. Kineo Trail, Bushwhack, Donkey Hill Cutoff, Three Ponds Trail

Trail Conditions

Notes

Had a gorgeous day for the hike, which we appreciated given it was harder than expected. While we did expect these trails to be lightly used and a bit overgrown, we were not expecting how intensely overgrown and flooded it was. The first 0.8mi of Hubbard Brook is pretty easy. After the flooded brook crossing the trail becomes noticeably less travelled. There were several places where the trail just peters out and we would have to search for the footpath which would pick back up as far as 0.1mi later. Large sections here were wet and very muddy. After the flooded section on Donkey Hill Cutoff, the trail is mostly dry and is in fairly good condition. Three Ponds is similar to Hubbard Brook - it is wet & muddy, the brush is on steroids. Sections of this trail have brush over your head with little blazing and almost no beaten path. We briefly lost the trail a few times here. The bushwhack to Mt. Kineo is actually easier than Hubbard Brook trail. The herd path is not well defined at all, but we were able to make it to the summit and sign the log.

Parking

Trailhead is at the end of Forest Road 211 (unnamed & unpaved) and holds about 3 cars, maybe 4

Water Crossings

Several of the water crossings on this trip had beaver dams causing some flooding issues on the trails. Any of the ones without beaver activity were easy to rock hop. The first flooded out crossings took 30 minutes to find a bushwhack around. If you go upstream and fight the thick brush there is a crossing that is pretty easy but be careful because the rocks are very slippery. There is another major flooding spot due to beavers at the jct. of Mt. Kineo trail and Donkey Hill Cutoff. Despite the snowmobile bridge over the river, flooding has submerged the trail on the other side of the bridge requiring a bushwhack through thick spruce to get around. Then on Three Ponds Trail at the jct. with Donkey Hill Cutoff, there is a beaver dam that has caused flooding. It is possible to cross along the beaver dam, but it does require very good balance. Further up the trail, there is an upland bog that you have to cross, no bog bridges provided.

Wildlife

Black flies were pretty bad but I think getting over the worst of them now. Horse flies were out too, but not quite as bad as the black flies. Ticks are out, came back with 2 on myself and one or two on my friend.