Date: 2008-08-01
From: Spaulding Mtn Lean-To

To: Stratton, Maine
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: moderate rain

I got up pretty early, 6am, and was on the trail 45 minutes later. My goal was to get 14 miles to Stratton and spend the night at the Stratton Motel.The weather for the next couple of days calls for rain. Today a moderate rain and tomorrow a heavy rain. Also, temps are supposed to climb up near 80 degrees. I would think the rain would cool things off, but the weather folks said "no".Got to the side trail to Spaulding Mountain. The mountain is only a short distance up the trail. The walk to the summit and back took about 15 minutes. There wasn't any view though. In a short time I reached the bronze plaque commemorating the completion of the last section of the AT in 1937. Then a easy hike until I reached the point where the trail turned left, and a side trail lead to Sugarloaf Mountain. The AT used to go straight over Sugarloaf but has been relocated. It's about a half mile (each way) off the AT but worth it.The side trail to the top was steep but there were not any rock scrambles. There were a few blow-downs, but nothing serious. The rain was light and steady by now. With these conditions I'd probably not have the normally great views. Got to the top and there were radio towers and the summit house where hikers can stay overnight. Took a glance at the summit house. I believe it is still closed because of being trashed in the past. There is a porch from which you can see Katahdin on a clear day. Of course, today wasn't clear. I'd forgotten that Sugarloaf is the second highest peak in Maine (Katahdin is the highest).Back on the AT the trail down has now been rerouted partly through a wooded area away from the ridge line. But it still followed the ridge for most of the length. There were some steep, tough rock ledges to descend. Got to the Carrabassett River - this was a fairly easy (ford) crossing, but it looked to be a bit high after the past recent rains. Saw a flat area just past the river but before Caribou Valley Road which might be a good stealth tenting spot. Started to cross Caribou Valley Road and looked to my left. There was a moose just standing in the road. The first moose I'd seen the entire hike. I thought I would never get my camera out in time - he would take off into the woods. But the moose just kept on standing there, looking at me (I'm not saying moose are stupid, but this one wasn't that smart, either). So I got a fantastic photo. I've heard before that Caribou Valley Road is a private road owned by a logging company. It is also used by local hikers to get to the AT.About two miles further there are two, high mountains that you have to go over. They are South & North Crocker Mountains. You get to climb about 2,000 feet up from the Caribou Valley Road - they are both over 4,000 feet in elevation. The climbs are slow going due to a large number of bouldars.Made it to Maine 27 (the road to Stratton). I didn't know of the Stratton Motel was still doing pick-ups from the trail. It didn't matter anyway because I had no cell reception to call them or anyone else. The first few cars didn't stop and then the traffic died down for a while. But after about 20 minutes I was able to get a hitch into town.Back in 2006 I had stayed at the Stratton Motel and was pretty happy about the place. Even though everything in town is pretty close, it was nice having a grocery store (Fotter's) right across the street, along with a couple of restaurants close by. I got into town too late to pick up my maildrop at the post office so I'll get it in the morning before heading back to the trail.The Stratton Motel has both a internet computer and a internet phone (which allows free long-distance calls. The computer was pretty well tied-up by other hikers but the phone was free. I gave Trail Boss a call to discuss upcoming plans.She and I talked about the remaining weeks of the hike and how I'd get back home since she isn't coming up. There are now less than 200 miles to go, which probably won't take much more than two weeks to complete. That means a finish a bit earlier than either of us expected - probably around August 15th.Looks like the best way for me to return is to climb Katahdin and then get a hitch into Millinocket. Spend the night there and then either hitch or take a taxi (there is such a thing in Millinocket) to Medway. In Medway there is a bus (Cyr Bus Line) that goes to Portland, Maine. From there you can catch a flight, take the train, or (horror of horrors) ride the bus. Hopefully there is a cheap flight back to Washington, DC.Back in Stratton I got some pizza for dinner. Then walked down to an apartment complex building. I knew from the past that the town's laundromat is actually in the basement of the building. It hadn't moved and I washed my dirty clothes (which means everything). Back to the Motel for the night. Had a couple of beers and chatted with the other hikers staying there. Then off to bed.Sugarloaf Mountain