8/26/01
It took awhile to get packed this morning as I didn't sleep well, thanks to the less than stellar sleeping arrangements last night. Around 9 a.m. I left with the other members of the Fab 5, except Redneck, who had gotten an early start to the hike. From the Poplar Ridge lean-to we dropped 1500' to Orbeton Stream, then began the significant climb up Lone Mountain. From there the trail traversed minor terrain changes to the Spaulding Mtn. lean-to where all of the Fab 5 caught up and stopped for a long, leisure lunch. The plan was to camp high atop Sugarloaf Mtn. which claims 2nd highest in Maine behind Katahdin. I wasn't sure I wanted to take the 1/2 mile side trail up to the summit, despite having a nice enclosed cabin to sleep in. The issue for me was the fact that rain was definitely moving in for the night and the profile map showed a very steep descent down the back side of Sugarloaf, then a potentially dangerous stream ford across the South Branch of the Carrabassett River. Redneck had moved ahead of us and I left Priceless, Phantom and Finn behind while they continued to lounge the afternoon away at the lean-to. For the next three miles I contemplated the pros and cons of a warm cabin on top of a mountain vs. getting past a difficult descent and a river to cross. I reached the critical decision point at the blue blazed side trail to Sugarloaf summit. Since a Sobo had told me the descent down Sugarloaf was extremely rough, I decided to tackle it while it was dry. I left the guys a note that I was moving on and would see them in Stratton, ME tomorrow.
Then I began the Sugarloaf descent, which was exactly as described by the Sobo. Even dry, it was tough going with high wind blowing me off the trail and I was glad when I reached the bottom unscathed. Next I got to rock hop across the river, then ascended 600' to the Crocker Cirque campsite, which would be home for the night. When I arrived the heavily wooded tentpad area was completely devoid of human life except for Redneck, who was woofing down dinner. I set up my tent on a nearby tentpad, ate dinner, hung a community bear bag with Redneck, filtered water and got my gear ready for a rainy night that was surely on its way. I was in the tent before 8 p.m., trying to journal for awhile, then put my head on the pillow for the night. The trail has gotten easier than NH and southern Maine, but a few big climbs are still ahead. The end is near and I'm getting anxious to finish at times, while at other times I'm sad that the journey is almost over. Here are today's stats: low 52, high 80. Sunny to cloudy and windy. Today's mileage: 14.2; cumulative mileage: 1973.0.
