Southwest Peak on Big Spencer

[Nate]

For those who have hiked to the southwest peak on Maine's Big Spencer, once the peak is bagged, how do you recommend returning to the car? Is it easier to follow the top of the ridge back to the fire tower, or is it easier going on one of the sides just off the ridge?

 

[RoySwkr]

I climbed both peaks via a loop from the NW which avoided the gate fee. We were afraid that we might not see the car again in that flattish terrain but with GPS it would be easy.

 

[dms]

The road to Kidney Pond is now driveable up to about about 1400-1500 feet on the northwest shoulder of Southwest Big Spencer. The ridge over from the tower is total crap. The best approach to this peak is from the west, it's less than one mile to the summit through mostly open woods from the high point on the road.

 

[spencer]

I concur that a trip from the main summit, across the ridge is less than ideal. I haven't made it all the way across yet but when I go back, I'll be doing it from the southwest.

you won't find any lost maps along the ridge, I already cleaned it up

spencer

 

[dms]

Spencer, thank you for taking care of that errant map for me! It's amazing that you were able to find it in that shoulder high vegetation! It is so thick on the .3 mi from the tower to the summit of the main peak, the thought of another 1 mi + of that ridge is enough motivation to seek an alternative route!

 

[spencer]

For me, it got a lot worse after the actual summit. In part, I was pretty dehydrated and tired. I got about 3/4 of the way to the southern summit but I wasn't sure I would be able to make it all the way back. It was daunting to think about fighting that all over again.

besides, PB was waiting at the truck for me...

spencer

 

[Papa Bear]

I concur that a trip from the main summit, across the ridge is less than ideal.
...
spencer

"Less than ideal" That's putting it mildly!

When Spencer showed up at the fire warden's cabin where I was waiting, he collapsed and moaned "This mountain kicked my butt!".

For myself, I thought I would never make it back the short .3 miles from the main peak to the fire tower. Yes, this mountain has come a long way since the days of Roy.

 

[RoySwkr]

Yes, this mountain has come a long way since the days of Roy.

Spencer can explain forest succession to you, how at different stages of regeneration the vegetation gets thicker & then thinner again.

20 years ago it was just ordinary bad stuff, not super bad like Barren or Lily Bay. The warden was surprised to see us popping onto that open ledge facing the tower which he had been watching as he'd seen a bear there earlier. (And we were surprised to see a picture of him on the front page of the Wall Street Journal a few days later, interviewed about ME tower closings.)

 

[dms]

Just got back from S. Big Spencer. Jim C., Onestep, mhrsebago, Nate and myself. We came in from the north, the ridge looks like a mile of total crap. I will post a report and pics tomorrow.

 

[Oncoman]

Fully agree with DMS.

Did ridge on 4th Sept. under cold rain. 20 min. to reach true summit & sign register from tower. Then continued on ridge for another 40 min. Many bumps, small cliffs, thigh spruce & very wet. No fun & not being a 3K bagger I made no attempt to find register & turned back. Little Spencer is much more rewarding. An absolute must while in the area.

Pierre

 

[Papa Bear]

Hey dms, Jim C, Onestep, mhrsebago, and Nate - great job. And (as on Barren) JimC fakes to the right and dribbles to the left again!

Nate: your PM limit is exceeded and emails to you are disabled. Gotta ask you something. email me at [email protected]