Also on this trip

Trails Used

AT, Sugarloaf side trail, Spaulding side trail, Abraham side trail, bushwack, logging roads, herd path, AT

Trail Conditions

Notes

What a day! 0430 start from rt27. First car in the lot. Nice and cool climb over the crockers with great sunrise/ early morning views through the trees. Met a NOBO thru hiker just before N crocker summit. I'd say he is ahead of the bubble... A few down trees below cirque tent site but otherwise clear. Hopped over Carrabassett, de-layered, and hit the gorgeous climb up the loaf (trying to not trip over the "sugar lumps"(rocks) that cover the trail). Took a break at the loaf summit to take in the stunning scenery before cruising the ridge to Spaulding. Stopped quick at Spaulding shelter to check the log book. A few thru hikers had checked in, one in early May saying he post holed all the way off saddleback down to saddleback jr... The ridge to Abraham had a few small trees down but nothing bad. Slight breeze up high kept the heat at bay for the exposed climb. Such a great spot. From there I backtracked towards Spaulding shelter, meeting two separate hikers, and took the bushwack west to the old snomo trail and down to caribou pond. Some areas of marshy moose moss but not bad if you don't mind damp feet. ;) Then back up toward Redington. The path was in ok shape, with just a normal amount of small leaners and overgrowth. Met an older gentleman taking a break on the climb back to S crocker, nice to talk to him for a minute. Double tapped south and north crocker, then I cruised down the AT back to rt 27 and my beautiful steed. No snow on the route and mud wasn't bad. Around 31 miles with 10k vert. This puts me at 113/132 western ME 4k grid

Parking

Big lot on rt 27 at the AT crossing was still half full when I finished at 6pm

Water Crossings

The board bridge over the Carrabassett is up, but slightly beaten up. Easy to cross

Wildlife

Not much today

Also on this trip

Trails Used

Battell, Long Trail, Jerusalem

Trail Conditions

Notes

Really nice conditions today - trail and rock slabs are in good condition and to a large extent dry. A few small patches of snow and ice at elevation, pathetic remnants of their former glory. Steep descent at the top of Jerusalem was a little wet.

Also on this trip

Trails Used

Firewarden, Abraham side trail, AT, Sugarloaf side trail, bushwack, logging roads

Trail Conditions

Equipment

Notes

Expecting all the conditions, I set out slightly later than anticipated to dry ground and clear skies. Patches of snow started to appear near the firewarden tent site, become pretty constant above that. Rock spikes were the winner for the climb. The summit had remnants of fresh snow, but pretty clear of ice. Heading north on the side trail, snow is still deep (2-3+ft) in the trees, though it was surprisingly supportive, despite having zero sign of traffic. When I got to the AT, I switched to snowshoes for a little more support. Trail was easy to follow, with very old tracks making a slight base. Spaulding to the Loaf had a more solid base but no really recent activity. I stashed the snowshoes on the climb up SL, got real bony and less snow so unnecessary. On the way back, I decided to bareboot until I was punching through, which I was able do back to Spaulding shelter. 48F in the shade of the shelter. Only one person logged in the book since the fall. Picked up some minor trash. By then the snow was very punchy, so back with the show shoes. I followed the AT south for maybe quarter mile, then cut into the Rapid Stream Valley and linked with the old snowmobile trail that heads up that way. Someone had sledded up pretty much to the top of that trail, so there was a nice base to follow down. Snow was gone around 25-2600 ft. There were a few sections of moose moss bog the trail crosses, my pole sunk 3+ft into one. Mostly dry logging roads back to the trailhead. Fantastic day to be out, with barely any wind and lots of sun. Fresh snow was still on a lot of the evergreen braches up high, so as everything warmed up it led to literal carwash in the overgrown areas. Needed a spring wash anyways :)

Parking

Rapid stream road is quite rutted/ rocky, but I made it all the way in my Danger Ranger

Water Crossings

All hoppable

Wildlife

Starting to appear

Trails Used

Rapid Stream Road, Fire Warden's Trail

Trail Conditions

Equipment

Notes

Celebratory last day of winter excursion. Trail was packed down but if you got off the center, snow was unsupportive. Spikes worked great for today which stayed cooler and firm. Snowshoes and k10s went for a ride. There is still 3-4+ ft of snow above 3000 ft. Above treeline was a mix of bare rock, ice, and snow in the trees. Ice was mostly avoidable. Not much for views this morning with flurries building after I started descending. Spaulding opened up a little for some cool views once I was in the valley again. "It takes two! Oh yea! The pleasure drop on you!" Thank you Roots!

Parking

Road is plowed, but the last 1/4 mile or so is packed snowmobile trail. Lots of pull offs for parking. Ruts are starting but not terrible today

Water Crossings

Most of the crossings are open. The first stream you come to is the biggest. On the way down I bypassed that stream crossing by taking the snowmobile/ logging road which was packed nicely

Also on this trip

Trails Used

Battell Trail, Long Trail, Jerusalem Trail

Trail Conditions

Equipment

Notes

Solid trail all day. Wore spikes, snowshoes along for character building exercise We each postholed once but overall firm trail. Little slower going as trail is choppy with numerous areas of frozen postholes from the warmer days. Great day on trail

Parking

Dirt roads were muddy and sketchy on way out

Water Crossings

One is bridged