Date: 2005-09-06
From: Spaulding mountain lean-to

To: ME27/Stratton, ME (ME Roadhouse) 
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: few clouds

Commune Tardy is changing their ways and are now getting up and on the trail earlier! We were out on the trail by 7am this chilly morn. We hiked to the side trail to Spaulding Mountain where everyone but Raindrop and me hiked to the summit (Spaulding is another of the 100 highest in the NE). I am a bit under the weather with a head cold and have been since Piazza Rock; I didn't exactly feel like doing extra hiking today. The next bit of trail flew by as the sun started coming up and warming us. Train began to call me the invisible woman this morning because of my "getup". I had on my lime green rain jacket-hood up, black thermal pants, hiking skirt, sunglasses, and scarf. Finally I was able to start revealing skin without fear of frostbite. Next up was the junction to Sugarloaf Mountain Summit. Here the guys and girls parted ways once more with plans to meet for lunch on top of North Crocker. The guys all went up to tag Sugarloaf and go to the "sugar shack" as the summit house is called. Also one of the 100 highest peaks. Apparently it was a gorgeous day for it, the skies were super clear and they were able to see all the way from Mt. Washington to Mt. Katahdin, 1/6 the length of the entire trail. The girls continued on and we had a good time gabbing along the way. There was a pretty tricky downhill just before fording the stream. We managed not to get our feet wet and were able to rockstep across.Snowbunny, Raindrop, and I stopped for snacks just before Caribou Road. Snowbunny told us that this next section over the Crockers was the only experience she had with the AT before starting her thru-hike and thought this would be what the entire trail would be like. The path up to South Crocker was short, but intense! Very steep rock scrambling straight up. We managed though and got to the top with flying colors. There were incredible views of the mountain range around us! There were views of Mount Abraham, Sugarloaf, the Bigelows and countless others. Us girls decided we would tag one, so we went up 30 yards to the viewless summit of South Crocker. From there it was just a jump, hop and a skip over to North Crocker where we were elated to see Pumpkin. I think it is safe to say that she was equally as happy to see us. She has been surrounded by the company of guys the last little bit. We enjoyed a bit of lunch on top of the mountain, and we were soon joined by th! e men. They played a dirty trick on us and informed us that they wished to hike in, resupply and hike out while we stayed at the trailhead. Well, that was cool a couple of days ago, but the girls were ready for showers and clean clothes! We refused to budge on the matter and they laughed telling us that it was only a joke.The couple train (minus one spouse-Pumpkin's hubby) continued along down the trail towards the road. It was a nice easy trail, but I think all of our knees need a break as they are feeling fairly shakey.Don, the co-owner of the Maine Roadhouse came to pick us up. He is a super nice guy and shuttled us around town to take care of our errands before heading to the hostel. His hostel has to be one of the top 3 I have seen on the trail. The Roadhouse has yet to be completed, but was immaculate. For the low price of $20/pp Bug and I were able to have a private room (privacy is a treasured thing on trail), free long distance phone calls, showers, kitchen privelages and free shuttles around town. We are certainly enjoying a lazy afternoon here. I am going to sign off so that I can go call my mom now.