From the lean to, hike .25 mile to the high point on Poplar Ridge, and descend steeply for .5 mile, losing 1,000 feet in elevation. Reach the ford of Orbeton Stream, 1.3 miles from the top of the ridge. If you allow three days for this hike, you may want to add a trip to Abraham, 3.4 miles round-trip. There are outstanding views from both the mountain and the ridge. Continue following the AT and reach Spaulding Mountain Lean to in 1 mile.
Water is available from a spring near the shelter.
From the lean to, hike .75 mile to the side trail that leads to Spaulding Mountain. It is .6 mile along the side trail to the building on the top of Sugarloaf. Continue following the AT for 1.1 miles to the top of an open ravine. It is more than 500 feet to the forest below. Descend, sometimes steeply, for .75 mile to the South Branch of the Carrabasset River.