Sugarloaf-Spaulding-Abraham-Redington-Crocker-North Crocker, July 8

[JoeCedar]

I did this long loop hike of the "Caribou Valley Six" for the second time after a visit two years ago. It is still a great way to get all six peaks in one day trip (22 miles, 7200 feet ascent). I followed the herdpath down from the AT/Abraham junction but took a chance on bushwhacking N/NW across the logging area on the ridge. It was a big mistake as some of the older cut-over areas were extremely thick balsam. Some old narrow moose paths helped but didn't always go the direction I wanted. I saved 0.6 miles versus walking around the horse shoe bend in the logging road to the west, but lost 10 minutes compared to last time. The logging roads, herd paths, and trails over the remaining three peaks were in great shape. The CPR was still primitive but much improved with bridge and culvert repairs.