Spaulding and Redington route info?

[Peakbagr]

Hoping to get over to Maine later this year or next Spring to climb Spaulding and Redington. I've been looking over some of the web resources, Topozone, and my NG mapping program, and it seems most of the route information I turned up is a little dated.

Can anyone point me in the right direction on best current routes, the condition of the road, how far you can currently drive, and maybe a good local motel and campsite?
Given the long drive to the area, looking for the routes that can be done relatively quickly on a long weekend.

Thank you -

 

[MichaelJ]

Best local campground is Cathedral Pines. Get a site right on Flagstaff Lake if you can!

Site 67
Cathedral pine trees
Morning view

 

[Kevin Rooney]

For motels, I usually stay at the Spillover. A couple of extra bucks, but well worth it. Have at least one meal at Mainely Yours - good food, reasonable prices, and you get to admire the velvet Elvis portraits.

Both hikes are off the Caribou Valley Road (CVR), whose condition can vary, so best to inquire a week or two before the actual trip. Most times the average vehicle can make it to the AT. Park here, take a left (crossing the river) on the AT, and start climbing. One of my favorite trails - a good scramble down low followed by great views of a glacial cirque as you skirt the upper rim. On the ridge make a right for Spaulding; left is for Sugarloaf in the event you needed it.

As for Redington - walk a bit (maybe 1.5 miles) further up the CVR. I believe Mohamed's website has some good directions - it's a half-day hike at best. You can also see the AMC website and do a search on DavidNH - he just did that peak and posted a TR.

 

[albee]

There is a TON of information on these forums about Mount Redington... if you do a simple search for "Redington" you will find many threads with detailed information. Mohammed Ellozy's website is always a particularly good reference as well.

There is a relatively short (0.2 mi?) side trail that leads to the summit of Spaulding from the AT. The easiest route is probably to access the AT from Sugarloaf's ski trails and head south. Another popular approach with bushwhackers is to walk a few miles up Caribou Pond Road past where the AT crosses it, and bushwhack up from the bridge at the fork in the road.

 

[bobandgeri]

Check out our trip report for both hikes with directions:

http://rbhayes.net/laborday.html

 

[bryan]

mohameds directions from the cvr to redington are good. a bit of a slog on the roads. came down that route a couple weeks back after following the herd path from s. crocker to redington. the roads do have some nice views of redington itself, crocker, abraham, etc.
the hike from cvr to spaulding on the a.t. is quite nice as others have previously stated. the ridge walk between sugarloaf and spaulding was really enjoyable.

bryan