Saddleback And Abraham In Maine

[DayTrip]

So I'm interested in climbing Saddleback and Abraham in Maine and I discovered that the map set included with the AMC Maine Guide does not cover these areas for some reason despite covering other areas East and West of these mountains. So I went to CalTopo for a reference and the Forest Service Maps don't show either trails and/or roads for some of this area. If I recall correctly Saddleback Ski Area is still closed so I wasn't sure about access via their roads and trails from a legal and logistical perspective (i.e. gated roads, etc).

So what would be the "de facto" approaches to these summits and are there any year round roads that get within reasonable range of trail heads? Was thinking about this for Columbus Day weekend. And I guess as a secondary question, it sounds like any campgrounds in the area would be closed so is "at large" camping in these areas permissible? Appreciate any info. Thanks in advance.

 

[DayTrip]

OK so I think I half answered my own question. I zoomed in and followed the map from a city and it looks like there is a lot for the AT on Rte 4 to climb Saddleback. Looks to be approx 6.5 miles out to the Horn past Saddleback. So I presume that would be the way to go. So I guess I just need info on Abraham. Sorry.

 

[egilbe]

Can also take the Berrypickers trail up.

 

[JB]

My hiking partner and I hiked Abraham as an out and back. Most people we met up with while hiking the ME 4,000 footers did Abraham as part of a traverse with Sugarloaf and Spaulding, but you'd need to car spot to accomplish this.

We also climbed Saddleback and the Horn as an out and back. Both of these hikes were done in early/mid-October and were spectacular.

If memory serves, the road to Abraham trail head was a little tricky on the way in, look for rustic signs showing you the way. We went the wrong way at one point. Saddleback parking was no problem, we climbed a ski trail. My notes say it was called "Grey Ghost" trail.

We stayed at the no-frills Dear Farm Campground. It should still be open. The owners are excellent. When we hiked the Bigelows we stayed at Cathedral Pines Campground, one of the nicer campgrounds I've stayed at, but it was probably 50ish miles from Saddleback.

 

[egilbe]

The natgeo map sets of the AT covers that section pretty well.

 

[Kyle D]

Found the ski trails up to the Saddlebacks much more enjoyable than most other ski trail hikes. Went in early July and the Lupines were in full bloom - thousands and thousands covering the lower slopes with the trail winding through. Ski area is closed but access road is good and open. http://4000footers.com/saddleback.shtml

Just did Abraham a few weeks ago as part of an out and back traverse from Caribou Pond Rd. Long hike to do it that way but easy miles and Abraham is certainly the highlight peak of that area. Saw a few hikers on Abraham who had taken the Fire Wardens trail up and they said the road access was fine and they really enjoyed the trail.

 

[peakbagger]

Abraham is pretty simple via the firewardens trail. The biggest challenge is the drive to the trailhead via a logging road which varies year to year. There is also a bridge that has washed out in the past which made the walk a bit longer.

Saddleback via RT 4 is nice out and back. The hike up from Eddy Pond is typical Maine straight up with no switchbacks. If out are adding Saddleback Horn it adds some distance, about 2 1/4 miles round trip over mostly above treeline boulders. I have heard good things of the new Berry pickers trail from the south but haven't done it. I think the ski area road is still open as the ownership hasn't changed. There are privately owned ski home and condos near the base so the road would need to be open for them to access their properties.

 

[Ramblings]

The Wilderness Map Company publishes a nice map of the Rangeley region, including the 4000 footers. It does not include the 100 Highest "six-pack" just to the North. I haven't been up there in a few years, but I believe that you are still allowed to park at the Saddleback Lodge and hike up to the peak. The out-and-back to the Horn is a great hike and above treeline most of the way. The "Berry Picker's Trail" is not on that map for some reason, but there is information about it on Maine Trail Finder. Here's information about Abraham via the Firewarden Trail.

 

[DayTrip]

Thanks all for the excellent information.

 

[DayTrip]

Just did Abraham a few weeks ago as part of an out and back traverse from Caribou Pond Rd. .

Is that the same thing as the Caribou Pond Snowmobile Trail? I don't see a road by that name but there is a lengthy snowmobile track by that name on MapBuilder layer.

 

[bikehikeskifish]

Caribou Pond Road goes in the NNW side of Sugarloaf, Spaulding and Abraham.

I thought I read somewhere that the bridge on the way to the Firewarden's Trail was repaired. Should be able to drive further than I did in 2015:

Tim

 

[DayTrip]

Caribou Pond Road goes in the NNW side of Sugarloaf, Spaulding and Abraham.

I thought I read somewhere that the bridge on the way to the Firewarden's Trail was repaired. Should be able to drive further than I did in 2015:

Tim

OK. Thanks.

 

[Tim Horn]

Caribou Pond Road is usually the road in best condition - Average hiker can get Sugarloaf, Spaulding and Abraham in one day and its a real nice hike. Ending at a cold brook. Uber hikers utilizing the bushwhack from the Mt. Spaulding shelter can get the Carrabaset six pack in one long day.
Fire wardens trail is also a nice hike but the road is usually more iffy for a sedan. If you have a 4x4 that you like to drive off road there is another option. I have seen hunters drive all the way up to and past the AT crossing West of Spaulding and into Caribou ponds. That makes it possible to get Abraham from the AT West of Spaulding. If you are in Maine and looking to do the Hundred Highest after this you would do well to buy a DeLorme. Not much else is as reliable when it comes to logging roads.

 

[Lost Dad]

+1 for the Berry Pickers trail to Saddleback and the Horn. The info shown in Maine Trail Finder seems accurate to me. The access has been sketchy in the past but most recent reports imply that the access problems have been repaired. Berry Pickers Trail and Firewarden (Abraham) certainly offer the least distance between trailheads. CVR to Saddleback ski area is not a quick trip.

 

[ChrisB]

So I'm interested in climbing Saddleback and Abraham in Maine...

If you do Abraham via Fire Warden's trail, consider adding the short n easy bushwhack over to Middle Abe.

You'll never be closer and after the 4ks the 100 are usually inevitable.

cb

 

[peakbagger]

Sadly Middle Abraham dropped off the list 20 plus years ago. Definitely a loss as its nice summit.

I think either Kennebago Divide or Cupsuptic Snow replaced it, turning the 4 pack into the 6 pack. Both inferior summits to middle Abraham IMHO.

 

[JustJoe]

I won't add any more beta to what's been mentioned, but this is the map you want. I found it to be a great resource for the trails of the ME 4K's.

http://www.mountainwanderer.com/proddetail.php?prod=MEH19

 

[Kyle D]

While the Saddlebacks are awesome, so are the Bigelows. And the Bigelow trailhead is only a couple of miles from the Caribou Pond Trailhead so you could easily knock off 5-8 Maine peaks in 2-3 day hikes if that's what you were looking for. Just note that Caribou Pond road is closed Mon-Fri for logging operations so you can only get in on weekends.

 

[DayTrip]

I won't add any more beta to what's been mentioned, but this is the map you want. I found it to be a great resource for the trails of the ME 4K's.

http://www.mountainwanderer.com/proddetail.php?prod=MEH19

Yes I went ahead and ordered this map based on someone else's recommendation. Can't wait to receive it and check the area out in more detail.

 

[DayTrip]

While the Saddlebacks are awesome, so are the Bigelows. And the Bigelow trailhead is only a couple of miles from the Caribou Pond Trailhead so you could easily knock off 5-8 Maine peaks in 2-3 day hikes if that's what you were looking for. Just note that Caribou Pond road is closed Mon-Fri for logging operations so you can only get in on weekends.

The Bigelows are on the list too. I'm not really in it for peakbagging but for the awesome ridge walks. Thanks for the note about the road closure during the week. I was not aware of that.