Haoe Lead Trail #53

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Features Birding · Fall Colors · Spring · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

This trail can be tough to navigate the first few miles and may be overgrown.

The Haoe Lead Trail originates near the Maple Springs Observation Point on Maple Springs Road. Beginning at 3300 feet, the trail winds along ridges and intersects six trails by the time it ends at Haoe (HAY-oh) (5250 feet). Near the terminus is the Hangover Overlook with which offers incredible panoramas of mountains and lakes.

Beginning at the overlook, the trail climbs about a mile to the intersection with the Deep Creek Trail at mile 0.90. The first few miles are not well maintained, so pay close attention to the trail in this section. The trail continues up along Haoe Lead, which offers great ridge line views, but no water sources. At 3.5 miles, you'll intersect the Jenkins Meadow Trail on the left.

After Jenkins Meadow, the trail becomes easier to follow as you ascend to the peak with a tough final climb to mile 4.8 at the intersection with the Hangover Lead Trail # 56.

The next 0.9 miles are a gentle descent with stellar views on both sides of the ridge until the intersection with Naked Ground and Slickrock Creek trails at mile 5.7. There is great camping at this junction and water a short run down the Slickrock Creek Trail.

The last 0.6 miles is a climb up to the Stratton Bald Trail #54 at mile 6.3. A short jaunt further will take you to some great campsites and views from Stratton Bald.