Trails Used

Long Trail, bushwhack

Trail Conditions

Notes

Great hike with a new friend. We traversed the Long Trail from Rt 242 to Rt 58 with a car spot. I also whacked to the summit of Gilpin Mountain and Sugarloaf, which, along with Domey Dome and Buchanan Mtn, whose summits are more or less on the trail, got me 4 more 2000 footers. My friend got another section of the Long Trail, too. The hike up toward Gilpin was a moderate slab. Some mild running water and lots of wetness, but not crazy muddy. I started the whack to Gilpin just shy of the HOL. This was a bushwhacker's paradise!! Wide open woods, easy navigation, moose signs, and gentle grades. I hit the south peak just for the heck of it, which was not recognized, then made my way over to the north. Minor wet area to negotiate in the sag between the two. Reached the main peak in no time, and there was no register, though the highpoint was obvious. I found anod piece of blue surveyors tape on the ground here, which means that someone probably took the old register down. I did not hang a new one. I took the same route back to the trail (might as well be sure I don't miss any sections of the Long Trail either, right?!). Averaged 2mph on the whack, even with stopping at the summit briefly, so seriously wonderful conditions. Less than a half an hour of trail total. The ridge was understandably muddier and more wet. It wasn't too steep to start, but had some steeper sections and some easy scrambling as you neared Buchanan and Sugarloaf. What rock/ledge there was seemed pretty grippy despite the rain. It also rained more later one which made the mud and everything seem worse the further south we went along the ridge. I started the whack to Sugarloaf shortly before the HOL. Though this cut the distance ever so slightly, there were some steeps that I worked around, and it would probably be easier if I'd just whacked from the true HOL. The woods were still very open, but there was more hobblebush and undergrowth here than on Gilpin to the point that it got to be a pain if you weren't real careful with your line. Got tangled in it and fell face forward twice, which rarely happens. Didn't feel hurt in the slightest in the moment, but think I bruised a rib. The walk down to the road from Sugarloaf was a little annoying since it contours, and actually gains some elevation to swing around to the road. I didn't start Gaia at the start of the hike, but the totals should have been something roughly like 7.8mi, 2100ft of gain, 4.5hrs.

Parking

Note that Rt 58 is actually a dirt road and is closed in winter! Should be passable by any car, but that really surprised me!! We spotted a car there, then drove over to the (paved) parking area on Rt 242.

Water Crossings

No water crossings other than maybe one that I think had stepping stones across it at the southern end on Rt 58, so this is a viable option when there's high water.

Wildlife

None, thanks to the cold and rain.

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

unnamed trails

Trail Conditions

Notes

For our second hike of the weekend, we headed over to Dixfield to hike the loop over Bull Rock and Sugarloaf. It was a cool day with some rain showers as we started, but it dried up during our ascent. We hiked the loop counterclockwise, first ascending to Bull Rock. After a brief break, we continued on to the summit. The super steep trail into the saddle and to the north peak is always a fun challenge! It was windy at the top as we enjoyed the views and ate lunch. After lunch, we headed down the much shorter side of the loop, arriving back at the car only half an hour after leaving the summit. Sugarloaf is a beautiful and easily accessible hike that often gets overlooked, and I enjoy having it as a nearby option!

Parking

Parked on the gravel shoulder across from the trailhead on Route 142

Water Crossings

All unbridged crossings were easily hoppable

Wildlife

Ticks

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