4K hikes in Maine

[chinooktrail]

Ok, just curious here.

Let's say someone you know is a complete moron, who just moved a state away, then got the best job offer ever, and is moving BACK to the house they just moved out of... but will have a week or so off to hike before the new job starts. Lets also say this person needs the following peaks in Maine;

Sugarloaf
Crocker & S Crocker
Bigelow West & Avery
Abraham
Saddleback and the Horn
Reddington
Spaulding

How would you experts advise this person to tackle all of these?

Backpacking is ok, Cathedral Pines CG is ok, Carspots are a possiability.

Thanks!

 

[MichaelJ]

My suggestion would be a variation on how we did it a few years ago...

Start with a 3-night backpack on the AT. Go up Saddleback & Horn and continue on to a night at Poplar Ridge. The next day continue on the AT through beautiful areas, take the side trip to Abraham, then spend the night at Spaulding Mtn Shelter. Last day up the spur to Spaulding, up the spur to Sugarloaf, then steeply down to Caribou Valley Road car spot.

Head over to Cathedral Pines for the night.

The next day, this is different from what we did since we were redlining the AT, head up from CVR on the AT, go over S. Crocker to N. Crocker, backtrack to S. Crocker, and bushwhack over to Redington. From there just follow the old road(s) back to CVR.

Take another night at Cathedral Pines.

Finally, depending on mood, do this as a one night backpack or a long day trip ... go up the AT from Stratton Brook or from 16 to Horns Pond for a swim, then up over the Horns, then over to Bigelow West Peak. Camp at tentsites in Bigelow Col (optional). Then tag Avery Peak and head down the fire warden's trail back to the car.

Or go straight through as one awesome 5 night backpack, and grab Redington before you drive home.

Pix:
AT from Rte 26 to CVR
Crockers & Redington
Bigelows

 

[Peaks]

Gee, can't you bag most if not all of those peaks by hiking the AT from Rangely to the other side of the Bigelows. Drop your pack and side hike a few of the peaks.

 

[bobandgeri]

You only need 4 days if you want to do day hikes

We did 8 of the peaks in 3 days:
Day 1: N&S Crocker & Redington
Day 2: Abraham, Spaulding & Sugarloaf
Day 3: Saddleback & The Horn

http://rbhayes.net/laborday.html

Day 4 - Bigelow West & Avery

Now - on the rest of your time in between jos you can hit some of the bushwhacks in area!

 

[Mad Townie]

In my opinion (with which others certainly disagree ), Peaks has it right.

Do a car spot if you can, start on Rt. 4 and do a wonderful backpack trip along the AT: Saddleback, Horn, Spaulding, side trip to Abraham, Sugarloaf, S. Crocker, side trip to Redington, N. Crocker, West Peak, Avery Peak, down Firewarden's trail to Stratton Brook Pond Road.

I'd join you if I could!!!