Trails Used

ATV Trail

Trail Conditions

Notes

The north/west approaches didn't sound fun with the logging, so we opted to explore the south/east approach via the ATV trail. Road was arguably drivable up to 1550 then it became more of an overgrown ATV trail. Trail was easy to follow and had clearly seen some ATV traffic, compressing the growth a bit. At times it was annoyingly overgrown with awkward rutted footing, but most of the time it was ankle height grass and good footing and we made good time. Felt similar to some of the more overgrown trails in the whites. The fork around 1950 heading to Signal Pond looked very overgrown - would not recommend heading that way. Above 2200 was more slabby/eroded but less overgrown. The summit infrastructure is clearly functional/maintained, with lot's of functioning electronics. The tower is pretty sketchy - with a bunch of missing wooden steps that clearly broke, leading to some big gaps in the staircase and the reasonable fear than all the other steps are close to snapping. Didn't spend long on top of the tower as I wanted to get off of it quickly. But sure seems like this route will continue to be cleared of major blowdowns and have the growth compressed as they maintain this infrastructure. Jar was closer to the electrical building than the tower. Took us 1:20 up and 50 mins down. With the shorter drivetime, I was pretty happy with this route. One more left...

Parking

From just south of the wayside on rt 16, we followed the ATV trail northwest, through an open gate, up a short hill to a spot with a blue picnic table where the primary ATV trail continued north east. The trail/rd we wanted continued northwest from here and was signed 'no ATVs'. While this road was very grassy, I saw no reason a high clearance vehicle couldn't drive it to the landing at 1550ft, though we didn't attempt it with my Rav4.

Trails Used

Skidder path, bushwhack

Trail Conditions

Notes

After hiking Patience and Metallak from the west, I drove around and parked west of Signal by a path shown on Gaia indicating a possible skidder path. There wasn’t much room to park, and the path wasn’t obvious at first. Heading up the path, it was very wet and grassy and I had to step carefully to avoid puddles. When it started leading me away from the uphill direction, I bushwhacked steeply up to the summit in decent woods. After enjoying the fine views from the ancient fire tower, I decided to head for the next peak rather than backtrack and do two hikes. Various paths led in unknown directions, so I just stuck to a compass bearing in ok woods. From Munn Pond, I headed back to the road westerly and came out right at the Rock Pond Rd junction. Facing a 3 mile road walk back to my truck, I stuck my thumb out as I jogged and quickly snagged a ride in a side-by-side with a fellow named Scott. I told him I highly recommend hiking Signal Mountain.

Parking

Lots of atvs out on the roads, one even gave me a ride. I took Newell Brook rd in (to hike Metallak) and Millsfield Pond rd out. Roads are in decent shape for most any car.

Water Crossings

Just a lot of puddles to step around.

Wildlife

No major issues. I did find a few ticks. It was sunny but cool and breezy.

Also on this trip

Trails Used

Snowmobile trails, bushwhack

Trail Conditions

Equipment

Notes

A bit of foggy drizzle this afternoon but the snow stayed solid under my snowshoes. The well signed snowmobile trail was bare-bootable or spikeable, still solid coverage and hard packed. I started my whack from just after the pond on the right side of the loop about 2 miles in, (the loop is shown on Gaia). I did a bigger counter clockwise bushwhack loop hitting the 3 peaks, great woods everywhere, and solid coverage 12+ inches deep, except for the steep south slope of Burnt, which was bare, and a bit scrappy but I kept my snowshoes on here. Lots of moose scat and chewed twigs over here. I crossed a tiny beaver pond on a dam, then headed up beautiful open snow covered woods to Butterfield. Easy navigating with no leaves on the trees. To descend back to the trail I stayed on the long SE spine, it probably would have decent views if it wasn’t so foggy. I don’t know if it has enough angle to ski well, but it’s open enough and has enough snow still. It was a very enjoyable stroll in snowshoes. 8.3 miles and 2,550 feet for my loop in 3:45.

Parking

Parked in the gravel VAST lot off 302, SE of the peaks.

Water Crossings

Snowmobile bridged on the trail. I crossed a beaver dam by one small pond between Burnt and Butterfield while bushwhacking.