| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
South Crocker Mountain, North Crocker Mountain, Mt. Redington, ME |
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 | Trails: |
Appalachian Trail, herd path |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Tuesday, September 7, 2021 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Start of Caribou Valley Road is damaged by water run-off as previously noted in July. All vehicles should be able to pass through this short section with care.
Otherwise, the remainder of the road is fine with many exposed rocks and shallow depressions and bumps that can be avoided with care. Small lot had many open spots today. The gate by the parking area was closed today. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
None |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Two or three tree falls on AT below Cirque campsite and one small tree across trail just below South Crocker summit. All were easy to step over.
Herd path has many tree falls as expected. None were hard to get by. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Fine for dogs |
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 | Bugs: |
None |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
The AT up to the campsite is easy hiking with a low grade. The AT steepens after the campsite and passes through three small talus areas that allow for excellent views to the Bigelow Range. The outlook on South Crocker is a short side trail off the AT (signed). It provides a great view of Sugarloaf, Spaulding, and Abraham.
The herd path to Mt Redington begins off this side trail and is initially marked by orange flagging. Soon this herd path meets the AT boundary cut that has some yellow blazes. At a cairn the trail turns sharply left downhill marked by green flagging (do not continue on the AT boundary cut that is overgrown). The path is well worn with some potentially slippery roots. The trail eventually meets an old logging road (intersection marked by a wood pole and orange flagging). Turn left and walk uphill on the logging road following worn path. Turn right off the logging road on well worn path that is flagged. Walk uphill on Mt Redington on taped well worn path. On descent, do not take a side herd path if you want to return to South Crocker. At the summit there is a crude log bench, a small wood summit sign, and a cannister with log on a short brush choked path.
The trail between the Crockers is straight forward. There is a side path off the south side of North Crocker that leads to a good view to the Rangeley Lake region. It appeared the path continued downhill but the vegetation was covering the path. I don't know where this path leads.
A hiker from Litchfield ME arrived at Mt Redington while I was at the summit. He was the only day hiker I met. Met many AT hikers including two from Florida who had a close encounter with a bull moose on the AT on the side of Sugarloaf Mountain. |
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 | Name: |
WAUMBEK |
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 | E-Mail: |
waumbek@roadrunner.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2021-09-07 |
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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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