Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
| Peaks |
Sugarloaf Mountain, Spaulding Mountain, Mt. Abraham, Mt. Redington, South Crocker Mountain, Crocker Mountain, ME |
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| Trails: |
Ski trails, Sugarloaf Side Trail, Appalachian Trail, Spaulding Side Trail, Mt. Abraham Side Trail, bushwhacks |
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| Date of Hike: |
Saturday, April 8, 2017 |
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| Parking/Access Road Notes: |
We left Jason's Truck over at the Sugarloaf Golf course and took my care over to the ski area lot. plenty of parking at that time of the morning both places. |
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| Surface Conditions: |
Snow - Unpacked Powder, Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular, Snow - Wet/Sticky, Snow - Spring Snow |
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| Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes, Light Traction |
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| Water Crossing Notes: |
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| Trail Maintenance Notes: |
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| Dog-Related Notes: |
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| Bugs: |
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| Lost and Found: |
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| Comments: |
Climb up Sugarloaf was not difficult and we spiked to the top. There was a fair amount of wind and zero viz. The minute we started down the spur trail it was a different story, breakable crust with 4-6 inches of snow underneath and no one had been on these trails in some time. We wandered along the ridgline losing trail, finding trail, loosing trail. The focus necessary to stay on that kind of trail is draining.
We were soaked by Spaulding and I suggested I needed to get some dry things on in the shelter. It was fortunately dry inside with a wall of snow in front to cut the wind. We headed off to Abe, not so concerned about staying on the AT as to keep a level open path and not loose to much elevation. We found the spur trail, got blown around on Abe pretty good but at least there was good visiblity for that short period of time. We then back tracked and headed across Caribou Valley to Redington we saw a few snowmobilers and were happy for a little bit of trail packing.
We did the Redington and S Crocker bushwacks well but then on the top of S Crocker I seemed to be doomed to wander in circles. Finally we found the top and the AT junction. It took everything I had to get over to North Crocker, but the hard headed person that I am I decided I was not coming back in April. Coming down the AT was not easy to stay on and the descent of the Cirque with out a rope was "exciting". We were both soaked to the bone but took our time and did it right. Then back to CVR and finally a bushwhack across to Jason's truck. 14 hours, a long day, but one of those ones you will remember. Thanks to Jason for a great day, he is a definitely one of the best hikers that I've been out with. |
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| Name: |
Little Brown Mushroom and Jason Beaupre |
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| E-Mail: |
camosteve955@yahoo.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2017-04-09 |
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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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