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Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks Spaulding Mountain , ME
Trails
Trails: Caribou Valley Road, Appalachian Trail, Spaulding Side Trail, herd path, bushwhack
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Friday, October 21, 2022
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: Road is passable by any vehicle, just take it slow; I was the only car in the lot all day 
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Snow/Ice - Small Patches 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment:  
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: Most easily hoppable; the plank over the Carrabassett River has washed away and the crossing is now somewhat tricky, but doable; there are some crossings on the Caribou Valley Road above Caribou Pond that require a significant jump  
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes: Official trails are.in good condition with some relatively minor wet areas 
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes:  
Bugs
Bugs: None 
Lost and Found
Lost and Found:  
 
Comments
Comments: Today's objective was to find a good route down the west side of Spaulding Mountain/Mount Abraham to Caribou Valley Road. I started by going up the AT and over Spaulding Mountain to the Spaulding Mountain Lean-To. A short way past the Lean-To, I left the AT and started following a herd path which was marked by flagging. I was able to follow this herd path down for a while, until it intersected with an old routing of the AT. I likely could have followed the old AT route to Caribou Valley Road, but I decided to continue downhill on a more direct route. The woods were semi-open, and the bushwhacking was not difficult.

One strange thing that I came across was an old outhouse in a very isolated section of forest. I spent some time looking around, but could not find remains of anything else in the area. I would love to know the story behind it.

I eventually reached the remains of an old skid trail, which I followed through a somewhat wet area, until reaching Caribou Pond Road. It was a relatively easy bushwhacking route, and it made a good loop. I walked back on Caribou Valley Road, and spent some time exploring around Caribou Pond. The Caribou Valley is spectacularly beautiful, and a wonderful place to explore.

Unfortunately, Sugarloaf wants to build a dam on Caribou Pond, which will cause significant damage to this beautiful place. They have already done some clearing around the outlet, so go see this place in its current state, while you still can.  
Name
Name: Sam Shirley 
E-Mail
E-Mail: newenglandskier13@aol.com 
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2022-10-21 
Link
Link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/MaineHiking/permalink/2702268813248829/ 
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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