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Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks South Crocker Mountain, Mt. Redington, ME
Trails
Trails: Caribou Valley Road, Appalachian Trail, herd path
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Sunday, August 13, 2017
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: Caribou Pond Road is in great shape until bridge number three. The third bridge is a little sketchy. After the third bridge, Caribou Pond Road is in rough shape. When I was here in July, there was one large, deep pothole on the right hand side. Now there are two holes in the road but I realized they are NOT potholes but sinkholes. The old railroad ties are degrading and causing the ground to collapse. Someone was nice enough to put a stick with surveyor tape on the larger hole to alert drivers. 
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Dry Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment:  
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: no issues 
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes: AT trail is in good condition, the herd path becomes pretty narrow in places and I have a few scratches and bruises from branches smacking into me. Much better than I expected. 
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes: Dogs should not have a problem with this trail.  
Bugs
Bugs: not too bad 
Lost and Found
Lost and Found: none 
 
Comments
Comments: I had so much fear going into this hike. Rain, fog, an unmaintained trail, and an intense fear of getting lost on a mountain in bad weather... I wanted to cry. In the end, I ended up loving this remote, beautiful trail!

From South Crocker, head toward the view point. Just before the view, bear right onto the herd path. It took me a few minutes to find it, and honestly I walked in circles a few times just to make sure I was on the right path. It becomes pretty narrow here and I have a few scratches and bruises from branches smacking into me. Once you find it, it will take you to the boundary line. There are two broken trees here with surveyor tape on them. (Remember these two trees. The first time I attempted Redington, I didn't make a note of them and was lost for 20 minutes looking for the turn back onto the herd path.)

Take a right onto the boundary line. Follow it a short distance to where there are logs piled up across the boundary line. (Do not do what I did the first time, do not walk over the logs and continue down the boundary line!) Turn left and continue onto the herd path back into the trees. You will see bright surveyor tape marking the way. It is narrow, but the path is well worn, and it is beautiful.

You will eventually get to an old road/snowmobile trail, turn left. Follow four surveyor tape markers to a small cairn on the right hand side. When you see the cairn, turn back into the woods. A worn path will lead you in the right direction. Follow the path to beautiful open fields. The path will take you to the summit of Redington. At the summit you will see a homemade wooden sign for Redington. Follow the path to the right (there will be surveyor tape leading you) about 15' to the canister on a dead tree.

Other than being slightly nerve-racking in places, the trail wasn't too difficult to follow. If I can do this hike, anyone can!

blog link with photos and more details below.  
Name
Name: Solowoodlandwanderer 
E-Mail
E-Mail: bugsandthings@comcast.net 
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2017-08-24 
Link
Link: https://solowoodlandwanderer.blogspot.com/2017/08/redington-redo-81317.html  
Bookmark and Share Disclaimer: Reports are not verified - conditions may vary. Use at own risk. Always be prepared when hiking. Observe all signs. Trail conditions reports are not substitutes for weather reports or common sense.

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