lx93
New member
- Joined
- Sep 19, 2005
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Let me start out by saying that if you need Redington for the NE67, it’s probably easier to bag it along w/ these 2 peaks- details on how to do it can be found on Bob & Geri's web site.
But, I wasn’t aware of that trip report, and it’s a long way to drive to Maine from Virginia, so...
Caribou Valley Road, aka CVR, as it’s known in some places, and Caribou Pond Rd., as the little teeny-tiny sign calls it from Maine Hwy 16/27, gets my nod as THE WORST road I have ever driven on, and I have bagged 69 4k+ peaks in 5 different states. Having said that, I didn’t greatly fear getting stuck on the plowed part (3.3 miles in), but really wouldn’t recommend trying past that. I drive a front-wheel drive sedan- not a low-rider but definitely not high-clearance, either.
The AT crossing is kind of difficult to spot, too- the blazes are set back a distance from the road, and there is no sign at all to designate it. The best clue is the parking area on the right-hand side right before it; it has room for about 6 vehicles.
The AT is not hard to follow, and starts off from CVR at a moderate climb. Then, you come across a steeper rock slide, which if you don’t have your map handy might trick you into thinking that the top of it is the part where the summit is straight ahead 50 yards while the AT bears right- it’s not, you still have about 0.75 miles to go. This part is actually signed, and you go left 50 yards of the AT or the “real” S. Crocker summit.
The AMC Maine Mountain Guide describes S. Crocker’s summit as having fine views. Sugarloaf, Spaulding and Abraham are all easily identifiable, but the views are obscured by lots of trees.
From there, it was only 1.0 mile to Crocker, w/ the AT being extremely easy to follow. Despite my having read reports about not needing snowshoes on other peaks, I REALLY should have brought them on this hike. Every 20 steps or so, I would sink to at least past my knee. I’m guessing it may have been a combination of the path not being nearly as well packed-down as most in addition to the warm temps (58?) making the snow soft that day.
I did not readily see evidence of a herd path to Redington, but having bagged it already, didn’t look real hard- plus I didn’t have Bob & Geri’s directions. One part that was befuddling was that on the summit of Crocker, there was a path that crossed the AT on a bearing of 250- well-brushed out, too. I took a pic in case anyone wants to try to ID it.
The trip back was uneventful. For those who like to set your friend’s minds at ease when safely back in the car, you do get a cell signal at the point where CVR stops being plowed.
But, I wasn’t aware of that trip report, and it’s a long way to drive to Maine from Virginia, so...
Caribou Valley Road, aka CVR, as it’s known in some places, and Caribou Pond Rd., as the little teeny-tiny sign calls it from Maine Hwy 16/27, gets my nod as THE WORST road I have ever driven on, and I have bagged 69 4k+ peaks in 5 different states. Having said that, I didn’t greatly fear getting stuck on the plowed part (3.3 miles in), but really wouldn’t recommend trying past that. I drive a front-wheel drive sedan- not a low-rider but definitely not high-clearance, either.
The AT crossing is kind of difficult to spot, too- the blazes are set back a distance from the road, and there is no sign at all to designate it. The best clue is the parking area on the right-hand side right before it; it has room for about 6 vehicles.
The AT is not hard to follow, and starts off from CVR at a moderate climb. Then, you come across a steeper rock slide, which if you don’t have your map handy might trick you into thinking that the top of it is the part where the summit is straight ahead 50 yards while the AT bears right- it’s not, you still have about 0.75 miles to go. This part is actually signed, and you go left 50 yards of the AT or the “real” S. Crocker summit.
The AMC Maine Mountain Guide describes S. Crocker’s summit as having fine views. Sugarloaf, Spaulding and Abraham are all easily identifiable, but the views are obscured by lots of trees.
From there, it was only 1.0 mile to Crocker, w/ the AT being extremely easy to follow. Despite my having read reports about not needing snowshoes on other peaks, I REALLY should have brought them on this hike. Every 20 steps or so, I would sink to at least past my knee. I’m guessing it may have been a combination of the path not being nearly as well packed-down as most in addition to the warm temps (58?) making the snow soft that day.
I did not readily see evidence of a herd path to Redington, but having bagged it already, didn’t look real hard- plus I didn’t have Bob & Geri’s directions. One part that was befuddling was that on the summit of Crocker, there was a path that crossed the AT on a bearing of 250- well-brushed out, too. I took a pic in case anyone wants to try to ID it.
The trip back was uneventful. For those who like to set your friend’s minds at ease when safely back in the car, you do get a cell signal at the point where CVR stops being plowed.
