| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Spaulding Mountain, Sugarloaf Mountain, ME |
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 | Trails: |
Appalachian Trail, Spaulding Side Trail, Sugarloaf Side Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Sunday, July 29, 2018 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Caribou Pond Road is in decent shape, a couple steep sections have loose gravel and rocks but passenger cars were parked at the end. My car made it no issues, not scary. Culverts are back filled but a couple have bare tops that are easy to drive right over. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Mud - Significant |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Nice wide plank makes it possible to keep your feet dry crossing the river |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Some new bog bridges at top of the steep climb up from Caribou Valley. AT to ridge above the steep could use some brushing. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
from the ridge to caribou valley is steep, slippery and rocky. Didn't see a dog all day |
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 | Bugs: |
flying bugs biting on top of Sugarloaf, almost no wind! |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
This was a day trip adventure starting the drive from Franconia and we made it to the end of Caribou Pond Road by 9:15 am. No issues driving up the road, it is just a bumpy a bit washed out gravel logging road just as you would expect and ok for cars that drive slowly. Crossing the river was a snap thanks to a wide plank bridging the wide section that is too far to hop. We met many Nobo and Sobo thru-hikers today and another dozen day hikers. Hot and humid in the morning and climbing up the steep wall out of the valley was wet and slippery. Lots of mud and some new bog bridges helped. We headed to Spaulding first. On top of the first pud there is a short path to a nice lookout towards Spaulding and Abe. The 150 yards to the top of Spaulding is the steepest part of the trail to this peak. There is a clearing beyond the summit sign with a grand view of Sugarloaf. We hit Mount Sugarloaf on the way back and the half mile up to its summit was a rocky stream bed (we cleaned out two water bars with our hiking poles). We sat on the summit and ate while we enjoyed the view. Hiking down the ski area would have been a lot easier but our car wouldn't be there. We took our time descending and we were entertained by looking at flowers and mushrooms. A super day on the trail. Made it home well before dark. |
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 | Name: |
Nordic Gal, bria |
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 | E-Mail: |
amybike@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2018-07-30 |
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 | Link: |
 https:// |
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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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