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Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks Mt. Abraham, Spaulding Mountain, Sugarloaf Mountain, Mt. Redington, South Crocker Mountain, Crocker Mountain, ME
Trails
Trails: Rapid Stream Road, logging road, Mt. Abraham Trail, Abraham Side Trail, Appalachian Trail, Spaulding Side Trail, Sugarloaf Side Trail, Caribou Valley (Pond) Road, herd path, bushwhack
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Sunday, May 25, 2014
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: Got my Subaru in to the parking area at the washed out bridge, at the end of Rapid Stream Road. There is a ~3 foot wide washout about 0.8 from the parking area that is filled in with several birch logs. Low clearance vehicles will likely suffer. Plenty of parking in the lot at the AT crossing on 27 near Stratton. As a side note, the last time I drove the CVR, it was barricaded 0.5 from the AT crossing. It is apparently not now, as there were 4 vehicles parked just down from, and just beyond the crossing when we passed through Sunday morning. 
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Snow/Ice - Monorail (Stable), Mud - Significant, Snow/Ice - Monorail (Unstable), Slush 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment:  
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: Crossing of Ladd Brook at the end of Rapid Stream Road was hoppable, the crossing of Rapid Stream itself was waded in calf deep water, other small crossings on Mt. Abraham Trail were hoppable. The crossing of the South Branch of the Carrabassett River was accomplished by wading about 50 yards downstream from the crossing, in thigh deep, fast moving water.  
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes: Still a bit early in the season for any heavy maintenance activity, but many blowdowns exist along this route, none proved much of an obstacle. Some heavily eroded sections coming off North Crocker. Much mud throughout. 
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes:  
Bugs
Bugs: A few here and there, never really bothersome. Inhaled my first one of the season on Mt. Abraham Trail. 
Lost and Found
Lost and Found: John lost his yellow L.L. Bean pack cover somewhere between Abraham and Spaulding Lean-to. 
 
Comments
Comments: A two day backpack, where we likely bit off more than we could effectively chew. Got super lucky with the weather! We were hailed and lightly rained on Saturday, mostly coming off of Abraham, with more sustained rain as we ascended Redington on Sunday. Set up tents near the Sugarloaf summit, enjoyed a gorgeous sunset, and I enjoyed a super sunrise on Sunday morning. Followed our printed directions, though the way was well marked, up the CVR and various offshoot logging roads/herd paths to Redington. Were able to follow the herd path toward South Crocker, to the logging road in the col, then had trouble following it as it ascended, and we ended up bushwhacking until we popped back out on the path near the summit. Out over North Crocker. The long sidehill traverse around Stony Brook Mountain on the AT was torturous, on tired legs with heavy packs, the minor ups and downs along it were a killer.

Great way to finish up my Maine 4k's, and to add six more to John and she-who-shall-not-be-named's peak lists!

Blog post Wednesday!  
Name
Name: Bill Robichaud 
E-Mail
E-Mail: bill.robichaud@gmail.com 
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2014-05-26 
Link
Link: https://onapathwithheart.blogspot.com/ 
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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