Abram-Sugarloaf 6/19/2010
near Soule Mill, Maine (United States)
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Trail photos
Itinerary description
Rory, Laura, Zippy, and I spotted a car at the condos at Sugarloaf USA. We then drove to Kingfield and in the West Kingfield Road until we did not feel comfortable crossing a logging road bridge with our low clearance vehicle. There is a small (5 car) parking area just before the bridge. We road hiked in the .6 miles to the Fire Warden's Trailhead. The trail rises as an easy grade for the first 3.3 miles through some rather muddy areas, with many blowdowns to the Fire Warden's cabin. The trail turns left, climbs rather steeply, and emerges from the woods onto a talus field at 4.1 miles. It is another .5 miles to the summit. The summit is open with an enticing view to the open Southeast Ridge of Abraham.
After many pictures and lunch we headed to the AT via the Mt. Abraham Side Trail which is in excellent shape. We met up with a pair of AT trail maintainers about .1 miles from the summit, the only other people we were to see on the trail the whole day. We turned right at the AT and it was another mile to the Spaulding leanto. Water is available a few feet to the East of the AT near the leanto. It was a very warm day with temps in the mid-eighties. I was carrying 2.5 liters of water and Zippy had 1 liter. It was a good thing we found the brook at the leanto in good order.
On to Spaulding for some summit pictures at the summit sign.
We then headed for Sugarloaf. I had considered an alternate route to the AT from Caribou Pond Road using logging roads. The location I had considered to bushwhack to on the AT was a miserable collection of thick young spruce and krumholtz. Very glad I did not try that.
A viewpoint just a few feet East of the AT near the Sugarloaf side trail junction yielded some of the nicest views of the day. At the AT junction the trail rises moderately to the summit of Sugarloaf. We had little breeze all day but it was quite windy on top, cooling us down nicely.
At this point Zippy was appearing a bit limpy and upon examining her feet, two of pads had sores on them. I had to carry her down a dirt road for a bit. Carrying 75 pounds of dog for 200 feet is not easy. Once on the grassy ski slopes I had to set her down and she had an easier time of it. It was a good thing Rory had brought along a trail map for the Ski area as it made it much easier to pick our way down the mountain.
All standard disclaimers apply: IIRC. YRMV. IMHO. FWIW. HYOH. No warrenties, expressed or implied, are made that any information in this post is accurate, reliable, or appropriate for any particular situation. Attempting to follow tracks or advice provided here may lead to dismemberment, other serious injury, loss of life, and damage to or loss of property.
After many pictures and lunch we headed to the AT via the Mt. Abraham Side Trail which is in excellent shape. We met up with a pair of AT trail maintainers about .1 miles from the summit, the only other people we were to see on the trail the whole day. We turned right at the AT and it was another mile to the Spaulding leanto. Water is available a few feet to the East of the AT near the leanto. It was a very warm day with temps in the mid-eighties. I was carrying 2.5 liters of water and Zippy had 1 liter. It was a good thing we found the brook at the leanto in good order.
On to Spaulding for some summit pictures at the summit sign.
We then headed for Sugarloaf. I had considered an alternate route to the AT from Caribou Pond Road using logging roads. The location I had considered to bushwhack to on the AT was a miserable collection of thick young spruce and krumholtz. Very glad I did not try that.
A viewpoint just a few feet East of the AT near the Sugarloaf side trail junction yielded some of the nicest views of the day. At the AT junction the trail rises moderately to the summit of Sugarloaf. We had little breeze all day but it was quite windy on top, cooling us down nicely.
At this point Zippy was appearing a bit limpy and upon examining her feet, two of pads had sores on them. I had to carry her down a dirt road for a bit. Carrying 75 pounds of dog for 200 feet is not easy. Once on the grassy ski slopes I had to set her down and she had an easier time of it. It was a good thing Rory had brought along a trail map for the Ski area as it made it much easier to pick our way down the mountain.
All standard disclaimers apply: IIRC. YRMV. IMHO. FWIW. HYOH. No warrenties, expressed or implied, are made that any information in this post is accurate, reliable, or appropriate for any particular situation. Attempting to follow tracks or advice provided here may lead to dismemberment, other serious injury, loss of life, and damage to or loss of property.
Waypoints
Waypoint
0 ft
009
Access Rd and Main St and Alle
Waypoint
3,660 ft
AT/Sugar Jnc
3660 ft
Fountain
3,153 ft
Brook
19-JUN-10 1:38:30PM
Car park
2,176 ft
Car
19-JUN-10 7:05:51AM
Car park
1,001 ft
Car South
19-JUN-10 8:04:18AM
Waypoint
2,045 ft
Clear Brook
19-JUN-10 9:44:55AM
Waypoint
0 ft
Nasty spruce/krumholtz
Nasty spruce/krumholtz
Waypoint
0 ft
Spaulding Leanto
Spaulding Leanto
Hiking
1,173 ft
Trailhead
19-JUN-10 8:20:05AM
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