|
Post by colingulley on Sept 12, 2015 18:12:29 GMT -5
MAINE TRAIL FINDER: "Pleasant Mountain is southern Maine’s tallest mountain at 2,006 feet. The nearly ten mile trail network offers a variety of moderately challenging day hikes. The summits provide commanding views of the White Mountains to the west and spectacular views to the east."There are 4 main trails that lead up Pleasant Mountain. Ledges Trail, Bald Peak Trail, Fire Warden's Trail, and Southwest Ridge Trail. There are also two secondary trails, Sue's Way and North Ridge Trail, that create a loop that connects to the summit of Shawnee Peak Ski Area to the north. Each of the 4 main trailheads has a small roofed information board. (Southwest Ridge Trail has a trail sign with the information attached.) Start at any trailhead information board, then run up and down every trail touching the information board at the other three trailheads, and finishing back wherever you started. The only variation is on the Bald Peak Trail where you can choose to run the top portion of it, or Sue's Way and North Ridge Trail in one direction, and take the other route on your return. There is a short trail to a rock formation called "Needle's Eye" off the Bald Peak Trail that is not included because it doesn't have a defined turn around. There is also a small unnamed trail that leads to Shawnee Peak Ski Area that is not include for the same reason. The total route is roughly 18 miles long with a little under 7,000' of elevation gain.
|
|
|
Post by colingulley on Sept 12, 2015 18:18:36 GMT -5
I ran this route on September, 12th 2015 in 4:31:32, unsupported. Strava data HERE. I started at Ledges Trail and ran counter clockwise. I know of no other attempts at this, but I also don't know where to look for these things besides this site. If anyone has run this route, or knows of someone who has, please post an update. Or, if you think there is a cooler variation that people should be doing instead, happy to hear about it. Pleasant Mountain has some great trails and is not a far drive from Portland and southern New England. This route still has plenty of room for faster times.
|
|
|
Post by jveinotte on Sept 15, 2015 10:46:36 GMT -5
Thanks for adding this, Colin. Great trails up there, I hope to give this route a shot someday.
|
|
|
Post by mdaigeaun on Nov 18, 2015 14:54:29 GMT -5
Posting my intentions of possibly doing this within the next week. I will wear both a GPS and standard watch (in the event the GPS fails).
|
|
|
Post by mdaigeaun on Nov 25, 2015 20:32:53 GMT -5
Sadly, not going to get the attempt in. Trail conditions at least on Ledges have been a bit icy with the cold and wet with fallen leaves. Considering that, I will hold off until another time. I love the idea of your FKT route.
|
|
|
Post by jveinotte on Aug 7, 2016 19:27:05 GMT -5
I believe I set the FKT for this route in 4:25:57, taking only a couple minutes off Colin's attempt. Fun route, I felt pretty good for most of it but still left a little time out there due to running out of water. Strava/GPS information is here: www.strava.com/activities/664205700
|
|
|
Post by mdaigeaun on Nov 16, 2017 13:27:29 GMT -5
Once again, the weather always seems crummy when I can get up into this neck of the woods. Barring significant ice on the mountain, I will be aiming to take a crack at this in the next week.
|
|