AT Days 72-75: Big Peaks in Southern Maine – The Trek

This 4 day part of the Maine AT was full of large peaks:  Saddleback, the Crockers, and the Bigelows.  Right here’s the day by day abstract:

Day 72 –  Piazza Rock Lean-to to Poplar Ridge Lean-to (9 miles)

Day 73 – Poplar Ridge Lean-to to Crocker Cirque Campsite (14 miles)

Day 74 – Crocker Cirque Campsite to ME Route 27 and Mountain View Campground (7 miles)

Day 75 – ME Route 27 to Safford Notch Campsite (11 miles)

Slices of Piazza

I completely beloved my hammock spot at Piazza Rock shelter.  It was a pleasant flat spot very near a effervescent stream.  Higher but, the climate forecast confirmed clear skies – so I’d go tarpless and really feel the cool air as I seemed up on the sky.

However all of that modified at about 1 AM after I felt …. raindrops??  What the ??? I launched into scramble mode, leaping down from my hammock with my headlamp on and scrambling to place up my tarp. I obtained the entire thing up in mere minutes, and it was my MMM (Most Memorable Second) of the day.  I’d gone tarpless many occasions on my AT trek and had NEVER had rain fall.

I additionally should point out the memorable privy at Piazza Rock.  Wittily known as “Your Transfer”, it options two seats with a cribbage board within the center, as you’ll be able to see beneath:

Now I’m unsure what proportion of the earth’s inhabitants needs to play cribbage whereas pooping with one other individual on a mountain ridge.  However in case you occur to get that urge, expensive weblog reader, you now know to go to Piazza Rock Shelter.

Spectacular Saddleback

I’d deliberate a brief 9 mile hike on Day 72 to accommodate a excessive peak climb over Saddleback Mountain and The Horn.  Each are Maine 4000 footers on an open ridge with superb views.

The surroundings didn’t disappoint, and I used to be glad to have the ability to spend ample time on every peak (and ridge mate Saddleback Junior) to essentially benefit from the views.

The factor that bugs me about Maine

Time for a bit of weblog rant right here.  There’s SO a lot to love about Maine:

• Miles of pristine inexperienced forests
• Stunning blue lakes and ponds
• Cool evergreen shade over the path

However man, the bugs on this state are merely off the charts!  I’m very acquainted with New Hampshire’s infamous black flies and mosquitoes – however the Maine variations are like street-tough fighters!  They don’t quit as soon as they discover you!

And there are new varieties of bugs right here I’ve by no means even seen.  As I arrange camp on Day 72 at Poplar Ridge these tiny black beetle-like bugs began swarming on each clear, white, or vivid coloured floor.  As I cooked dinner with different hikers my inexperienced water bottle had dozens of those crawlies on it inside a minute!

When mountain climbing the bugs are considerably subdued, however camp mornings and evenings virtually require DEET and a bug masks!

Rain on the ridge

I discovered a beautiful ethereal hammock spot on a ridge that night time, however promptly discovered at 9 PM that it was additionally a great spot for thunderstorm winds to gust closely.  I emerged dry and unscathed within the morning after a bouncy wild experience!

The brand new rain made for some stunning waterfall views on the trailside rivers.  Though the morning was cloudy, my MMM of Day 73 was the blue sky that emerged as I climbed to the summit of Spaulding Mountain.

The mountain climbing day ended with my arrival at Crocker Cirque Campsite, a gorgeous location with three streams operating by it.  Under is a close-to-sunset image of the deep glacial cirque that abuts the positioning:

The Crockers, Path Magic, and In-City

Day 74 began with a steep ascent of South Crocker and North Crocker, two extra Maine 4000 foot peaks.  As you’ll be able to see from the shadowy image beneath, I arose very early to knock these peaks off.  My aim that day was to rapidly get right down to the city of Stratton for resupply, bathe and laundry.

And after I did handle to come out of the woods at 10:30 AM what did I see? The largest path magic setup I’d seen but!  Bricks (seated) and Chief had coolers of beer and soda, sizzling canine, chips and snack truffles for passing hikers to take pleasure in!

I used to be overjoyed to woof down two sizzling canine, a bag of Doritos and a Pabst Blue Ribbon earlier than midday. I felt like I obtained my Fourth of July barbecue proper there on the facet of Maine Route 27!  Thanks to those guys and others who provide path magic!

My lodging alternative in Stratton was a bit unconventional:  I’d keep at hiker-friendly Mountain View Campground quite than a hostel.  It turned out to be a incredible resolution, because the camp’s rec room had WiFi, a full kitchen, and showers and bogs.  After a visit to city for laundry and meals, I’d hand around in the room for dinner.  I even made pancakes there the following morning!

Sadly I did have one other “raindrops with no tarp” incident that night time at 2 AM!  I used to be going to should be extra cautious with the climate right here in Maine.

The Daring Bigelows

My route on Day 75 would take me to the highest of two 4000 foot peaks within the Bigelow vary.  These peaks offered unbelievable views of the place I’d simply been and the place I used to be headed subsequent.  Take a look at this view of Sugarloaf, the massive ski mountain:

I beloved the ruggedness of the peaks on this vary.  Take a look at Horns Pond within the image below- it’s a glacial tarn that sits proper on the base of the 2 large Bigelows:

And as I hiked up these rocky giants they appeared to get increasingly more rugged.  It was a incredible day excessive within the sky!

I’d cling my hammock that night time at Safford Notch campsite and go to sleep fairly rapidly.

These 4 days supplied  some nice views from excessive summits, and I additionally realized that the roughest of Maine’s terrain was now behind me till I reached Katahdin.   That iconic mountain peak – which I had but to catch a glimpse of – was nonetheless over 170 miles away by path.

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