| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Abraham, Spaulding Mountain, Sugarloaf Mountain, ME |
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 | Trails: |
Rapid Stream Road, Firewardens Trail, Abraham Side Trail, Appalachian Trail, Spaulding Side Trail, Sugarloaf Side Trail, ski trails |
|
 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, February 24, 2018 |
|
 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Room for a few cars at the plowed end of Rapid Stream Road (about 2.5 mile walk from Firewardens trailhead) |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Ice - Blue, Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Ice - Breakable Crust, Snow - Unpacked Powder, Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular, Snow - Drifts, Snow/Ice - Monorail (Stable), Snow/Ice - Postholes |
|
 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes, Light Traction |
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
All were passable, but at least a few sounded hollow so they may not last long if warmer temps continue. |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Lots of individual blowdowns, plus a more sizable one near the Spaulding shelter. Stay alert of the tree blazes! |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
N/A |
|
 | Bugs: |
none |
|
 | Lost and Found: |
none |
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|
 | Comments: |
Needed Spaulding and Abraham for #63+64 of the Winter 67, so we decided to take a chance and thru-hike the trio, starting from the Kingfield end. A 2.5-mile walk from the plowed end of Rapid Stream Road went quick enough, thanks to snowmobile tracks. Firewardens hadn't been traveled for perhaps a week but had a relatively solid base, like most of the other trails along the way.
Not too surprisingly, had to break out 6-8" along the Abraham Side Trail and AT stretches between Abraham and Spaulding, though the section between the Spaulding shelter and spur path saw traffic at some point. Perhaps folks sometimes hike Sugarloaf and Spaulding, then continue and hike down off the col down to Caribou Valley Road with the help of the snowmobile path?
Moose are terrible trail breakers, by the way. If only they wore snowshoes. :)
Very windy day up on Abraham, but temps were relatively mild for winter. Could have used crampons up above treeline, but we did fine with snowshoes. Ended the hike in the dark, coming down Sugarloaf. Glissaded a couple stretches, and managed to dodge a couple groomers. Thanks as always to Sugarloaf for hiker access to this great mountain. |
|
 | Name: |
Erik Bertrand |
|
 | E-Mail: |
erik@bertpc.com |
|
| Date Submitted: |
2018-02-24 |
|
 | Link: |
 https://www.gaiagps.com/datasummary/track/97f4155563f976d63b16de3825410c33906c67fd |
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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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