#64 of the NE 67

We couldn’t just leave Crocker sitting out there…    We’d attempted the 10 peaks surrounding Sugarloaf mountain, a few weeks earlier, but had missed Crocker Mountain, leaving it just out there…  With a bit of spontaneity, we decided to spend our 4th of July extended weekend to return to Carrabassett Valley to bag Crocker – #64 of the 67 4000′ peaks.  The weather reports were looking favorable, so a last-minute reservation at the Sugarloaf Mountain hotel and off we went…

This time, we had a choice of trailheads.  Having been in the area, we were familiar with the surroundings.  In particular, we knew the overall state of the Caribou Pond Rd – which gave access to the Appalachian Trail crossing on the south side of the summit – surely open, with good bridges (which had been completely replaced only weeks before).     But we’d already been that route, when we bagged South Crocker a few weeks back.  While shorter – only 6.4 miles round trip – we knew the lead up to South Crocker was fairly step.  So, we opted instead for the northern access, picking up the AT as it crossed Rt. 27, and heading south-bound for the 5.2 miles to the Crocker summit.  New route for us, and a bit more hiking on the AT.

Straight away, the trail ascended – gaining elevation almost immediately.  Very similar to the Moriah trail in NH, up, right from the start.   Good footing, but the trail was very wet – it had rained the day before, leaving things pretty muddy. Visibility wise, not much to talk about.  Mostly in the woods, we did get some views part way up, but that was about it.

Reaching the summit, we met up with a through hiker – a gentleman from Maryland, crotchety federal employee, bemoaning the government, and other such things.  Was playing around with his GPS most of the time we were there.

Taking a bit of a break for lunch, downing some cheese cubes, carrots, and sliced salami, we bade farewell to the hiker, and proceeded to head back down the way we came.

This one felt more like a checkbox, though it was good to be able to completed the 10th 4000′ summit in the Carrabassett valley area, the grouping that we’d attempted a few weeks back.  Leaving us only 3 summits before completing the AMC’s New England 67 list.