NewEnglandTrailConditions.com
NewEnglandTrailConditions.com:
MA
|
ME
|
NH
|
RI/CT
|
VT
|
Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks Crocker Mountain, South Crocker Mountain, Mt. Redington, Caribou Pond, ME
Trails
Trails: Caribou Valley Road, Appalachian Trail, herd paths, logging roads
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Monday, September 10, 2018
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: Parked at gate on Caribou Valley Road, we were second car and there were six cars there by the time we returned. Also a shuttle for some AT hikers that were waiting at the AT crossing...they'd still be waiting if we didn't tell them to follow us out to the gate.  
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Dry Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment:  
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: bridged 
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes: AT was clear all the way, herd path to Redington had a few easy to go around blow downs, herd path to CVR was clear but there was one spruce brushy section about 100 feet long about a quarter mile down that could use some good clipping. Recent work on CVR from pond to the AT crossing--brushing and culvert/ditch work.  
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes: sure but there is no water on these peaks up high 
Bugs
Bugs: none 
Lost and Found
Lost and Found:  
 
Comments
Comments: We stayed at the Spillover in Stratton, ME so we could have an early start to avoid the incoming rain. Good hiking on a nice trail, we were lucky everywhere was dry, little mud and no water. We went directly to Crock skipping the spur to the South Crocker summit. On Crocker we met Phil from Bristol. I looked around and followed the herd path west off Crocker to hunt for views, not so much. We retraced our steps back to South Crocker. Very windy on the outlook but we had nice views Sugarloaf, Spaulding and Abe plus. We went back into the trees to take a break and eat. Phil joined us and the three of us took the herd path to Redington, easy to follow the well worn foot bed. The AT corridor has been brushed so people will turn left and continue to follow herd path. Rock cairns, interesting wood and stone arrows and bits of orange flagging led up to the Redington summit. I replaced the ripped zip-lock bag in the canister with a new bag. Interesting to see the eye bolts and such that once anchored a wind gauge tower (thankful no wind turbines were built here). From the summit we went back down the herd path until we reached the herd path on the right that leads down to Caribou Pond. The three of us followed the herd path and logging roads easily all the way. We took the time to go visit Caribou Pond by walking the bridge over the pond's outlet and then following the gravel road uphill and then down a fisherman's herd path to the water's edge. Long road walk back to our cars. The thru hikers might still be waiting for their shuttle if we had not come by and told them the road was gated below. Nice to make a big loop over South Crocker and Redington and the out & back to Crocker felt short. Back in the day people could drive all the way to Caribou Pond, this route to Redington is gradual and beautiful. estimated total distance for the day was just shy of 12 miles.  
Name
Name: Nordic Gal, bria 
E-Mail
E-Mail: amybike@gmail.com 
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2018-09-11 
Link
Link: https:// 
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.

Copyright 2009-2024, All Rights Reserved