The Carabasset was fine. I stopped by the Stratton Motel to get the latest word and the proprietor said that the board was back and it was a dry crossing. Later on Friday, just as I reached the AT/CVR crossing in my car, two hikers confirmed the info.
Re. Caribou Valley Road:
The washout section (just after the metal grate bridge?) seemed to be a slightly worse than when I was there in late May, but that might be an inaccurate memory. It took me three attempts to get over the wooden bridge that is after the metal grate bridge; my '97 Outbacks front bumper was hitting the front of the bridge--one of the holes deep enough that it created too steep of an angle. On the third attempt, I came in at a slight angle so that the troubled side was in the center of the bridge. That did the trick.
The difficulty with the bridge aside, I had no other scrapes, dings, or difficulties, which was better than I did in late May. That said, in May I was able to easily drive the 1.1 miles past the AT crossing. When I hiked it on Saturday morning, it looked to definitely be in worse shape.
Conclusion: If you have a low clearance vehicle, you should be able to make it to the metal grate bridge. If you have an Outback like vehicle, it may be wise to park just before the next wooden bridge (with the bad washouts at either end). If your a bit more daring or you have a truck, there's no reason why you shouldn't easily make it to the AT crossing.
Edit to add: on Saturday evening, I decided that the local economy could use my support, so I decided to try out the bunkroom at the Stratton Motel. Everything about the experience was great (the stuffiness of the room aside, which was not surprising nor terrible), except one major thing: the mattress. It was terrible, perhaps the worst I've ever slept on. It felt like I sank in two feet. I longed for the bed of my Suby, and considered moving to the floor. I doubt that I'll stay there again.
