brobichaud
Member
After not hiking in my own state since last August, I decided it was time to get back to work on the NE 67. Today would be a test of mettle, when it comes to crossing water. I've had hairy stream crossings before, but none quite so infuriating. But I digress.
After awaking to clouds, not checking the radar, and leaving (I did check the MWO higher summits forecast), I was surprised when it started to rain while on the highway to Auburn. On stopping for gas, I checked the radar, thankfully, the slug of rain/thunderstorms hitting southern Maine weren't reaching as far north as Kingfield, so onward I went. Conditions were dry and cloudy in Kingfield, and I pulled down West Kingfield Road, which soon turned to dirt and rock, and became Rapid Stream Road. My low clearance vehicle did well, only bottoming out once, with no damage, and I eventually made it to the washed out bridges. Here's where the fun began.
The first crossing is innocuous enough, easily rock hopped right at the former bridge. The second was a conundrum. My conclusion is that unless you're really, really willing to work for it to keep your boots dry, there's no easy or dry way to cross, at least at current water levels. Both these crossings would be well nigh impossible at much higher water. After getting myself into a pickle upstream from the former bridge (perched on a partially submerged rock in between two fast running channels), I managed to make it to the other side with the insides of my boots dry, and bushwhacked up to the road. It was a quick walk to the Mt. Abraham Trail. Once on the trail, the sun came out, and with it, the bugs. If I moved fast enough, they didn't bother me much. Stopping wasn't a good option. The trail has some wet, muddy sections down low, and helpful double blazing at the start of relocated sections. Several easy step over/duck under blowdowns exist, but most of them could be easily taken care of. Once above the privy/tentsite, the trail steepens up, though never excessively, and I appreciated the sections of soft sidehill to break up the steeps. Once on the talus the views opened up, and the sun made it pretty warm, though the wind picked up as I broke treeline, keeping it more comfortable. I reached the summit, took in the views, especially the views over to the other Abraham peaks. The views were quite hazy today, but Saddleback, The Horn, Spaulding, Redington, the Crockers, South Horn and Avery were clearly visible, though anything much beyond the Rangeley/Stratton region was lost in the haze.
After a snack, and as much rest as I could get without being eaten alive, I booked it down the trail where the water crossing waited for me. This time, I tried my luck on the downstream end. At first, I thought I had a line about 100 yards downstream, but in the middle, I ended up zig-zagging all around and eventually saying screw it, dunking both boots, and making the other side. No matter, nothing got in, just some wet pant-legs, and my car was right there with a fresh change of clothes.
Then the long drive back to Portland. When I got home, I checked the radar because I had seen some big thunderheads in my rear-view from around Farmington/Wilton, and sure enough a severe thunderstorm rolled through the Madrid/Kingfield area about 3 hours after I finished. Just goes to show, the early bird doesn't get struck by lightning.
All in all, a very enjoyable day, and full of solitude, as there wasn't another soul out there.
Cheers,
Bill
Pictures
53/67
After awaking to clouds, not checking the radar, and leaving (I did check the MWO higher summits forecast), I was surprised when it started to rain while on the highway to Auburn. On stopping for gas, I checked the radar, thankfully, the slug of rain/thunderstorms hitting southern Maine weren't reaching as far north as Kingfield, so onward I went. Conditions were dry and cloudy in Kingfield, and I pulled down West Kingfield Road, which soon turned to dirt and rock, and became Rapid Stream Road. My low clearance vehicle did well, only bottoming out once, with no damage, and I eventually made it to the washed out bridges. Here's where the fun began.
The first crossing is innocuous enough, easily rock hopped right at the former bridge. The second was a conundrum. My conclusion is that unless you're really, really willing to work for it to keep your boots dry, there's no easy or dry way to cross, at least at current water levels. Both these crossings would be well nigh impossible at much higher water. After getting myself into a pickle upstream from the former bridge (perched on a partially submerged rock in between two fast running channels), I managed to make it to the other side with the insides of my boots dry, and bushwhacked up to the road. It was a quick walk to the Mt. Abraham Trail. Once on the trail, the sun came out, and with it, the bugs. If I moved fast enough, they didn't bother me much. Stopping wasn't a good option. The trail has some wet, muddy sections down low, and helpful double blazing at the start of relocated sections. Several easy step over/duck under blowdowns exist, but most of them could be easily taken care of. Once above the privy/tentsite, the trail steepens up, though never excessively, and I appreciated the sections of soft sidehill to break up the steeps. Once on the talus the views opened up, and the sun made it pretty warm, though the wind picked up as I broke treeline, keeping it more comfortable. I reached the summit, took in the views, especially the views over to the other Abraham peaks. The views were quite hazy today, but Saddleback, The Horn, Spaulding, Redington, the Crockers, South Horn and Avery were clearly visible, though anything much beyond the Rangeley/Stratton region was lost in the haze.
After a snack, and as much rest as I could get without being eaten alive, I booked it down the trail where the water crossing waited for me. This time, I tried my luck on the downstream end. At first, I thought I had a line about 100 yards downstream, but in the middle, I ended up zig-zagging all around and eventually saying screw it, dunking both boots, and making the other side. No matter, nothing got in, just some wet pant-legs, and my car was right there with a fresh change of clothes.
Then the long drive back to Portland. When I got home, I checked the radar because I had seen some big thunderheads in my rear-view from around Farmington/Wilton, and sure enough a severe thunderstorm rolled through the Madrid/Kingfield area about 3 hours after I finished. Just goes to show, the early bird doesn't get struck by lightning.
All in all, a very enjoyable day, and full of solitude, as there wasn't another soul out there.
Cheers,
Bill
Pictures
53/67
