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Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks South Crocker Mountain, North Crocker Mountain, Mt. Redington, ME
Trails
Trails: Appalachian Trail, herd path
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Tuesday, September 7, 2021
Parking/Access Road Notes
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. 
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment:  
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: None 
Trail Maintenance Notes
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. 
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes: Fine for dogs 
Bugs
Bugs: None 
Lost and Found
Lost and Found:  
 
Comments
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.  
Name
Name: WAUMBEK 
E-Mail
E-Mail: waumbek@roadrunner.com 
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2021-09-07 
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.

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