Serendipity? Kismet? (What a pretentious word!) Blind luck? Destiny? Karma? Dumb luck? Let’s go with dumb luck. Hannah and I stumble on another section of the AT just four miles from the Sugarloaf Ski Resort, where we are staying for a middle school conference in late October with snow flurries are in the air. During the conference we did find a cross-country ski trail near the Sugarloaf Inn, with gentle inclines as one would expect for a Nordic trail.
On the way to the trailhead just out of the Carrabassett Valley town line, we pass a sign “Free Beer.” Then in small print it says tomorrow. John Laidlaw, my principal at Nevitt Elementary School in Phoenix, AZ told me, Tomorrow never comes. Political signs abound all pushing Republicans (e.g., LePage for governor) or Yes on #1, which is for a casino in Oxford County. Up in the mountains near Sugarloaf Mountain, the rural/coastal divisions of the state are quite apparent. The trailhead has parking on the left and the trail to Cranberry Pond on the right. Wearing long sleeve tee shirts, sweatshirts, jackets with double mittens and ski caps, we are ready for a day that will be no higher than 40 degrees. Immediately a forest of new growth, head high Christmas tree pines among the towering poplars and firs brackets the trail, which is easy on the feet as it is dirt with exposed tree roots smothered with fallen leaves. This is Hannah’s 6th AT state (NC, VA, WV, MD, and NY) while I have but five (no NC). Ah, the perfect excuse for a trip to the Great Smokies National Park.
Soon we step from rock to rock to ford a small stream. Puncheons (planks in the forest) help us traverse the boggy areas as Lincoln Log looking steps enable us to scale the steeper climbs. In other places on the trail, the Maine Appalachian Trail Club (http://www.matc.org/) has set rocks in the mountainside for an easier ascent. The MATC clears the trail and sets white blazes often and at junctures so staying on the trail is simple enough. A poster warns us, “Bear Notice – There’s been a report of a black bear visiting the Cranberry Stream Campsite,” which is exactly the path we are taking. Normally I am a big baby when it comes to animals that maul and devour, but lately my reading of AT guides has put me at ease since thru-hikers rarely see black bears and when they do, are rarely threatened by them. I also naively figure that this notice must be days old and we’re safe. Once a fool, always…
After crossing the Dick Brown plank bridge over the Carrabassett River, we meet two women who spent the night on Bigelow Mountain. They tell us of 60 mph winds and wind chills in the teens. Bless their hearts, but that’s not my idea of a good time. Hannah wonders what our trail names would be. Commonly AT thru hikers have names like Patch, Tetherball, or Moose. I suggest “Dutch Babe” for Hannah, noting her father’s heritage. She suggests ATM squared for me. It’s a no brainer. Comment on this blog with what you think it is. The first correct answer wins a prize.
Among the trees, we never have a view of the valley on this hike, but that also means we only occasionally feel the strong winds. There are lots of blow downs (fallen trees), but the MATC has cleared every trail we hike today. After two miles give or take, the rolling nature of the terrain changes to a steep, rocky ascent to Cranberry Pond. It’s heart pumping, lung sucking all the way. At the Bigelow Mountain Junction we take the rocky and boulder-filled blue blaze (the AT is marked with white blazes, side trails have blue blazes) trail to Cranberry Pond. All of a sudden ten healthy males and one beautiful female run by us. Running! They tell us that they are part of the Base Nordic Ski Team. We are impressed and stunned and humbled. The return trip is quick, but tricky as the descents are freshly leaf covered and slippery.
As always when hiking, know thyself, thy limits, and the conditions. Be prepared.
Cranberry Pond hike rating - Excellent.
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