June 14, 2008 Hike #2
The main objective of today was to bag Snow Mountain which I successfully did this morning. With gas now over $4.00 a gallon, I certainly wasn't going to just drive back home. I needed to get the most of this trip, so I decided to hike Cranberry Peak. It is located in the Bigelow Preserve. I hit most of the peaks in the preserve when I hiked the Appalachian Trail through there two years ago, but never hit Cranberry Peak. It's not a huge mountain, but does qualify as a 3,000 footer.
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About a mile in, Maddie and I enjoyed a stop at Panberry Creek.
I poured some cold water over her to cool her off.
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After hiking all winter on trails made smooth by the abundant snowfall followed by a two week trek on mostly smooth trails on the Appalachian Trail in TN and NC, I had forgotten how rugged the terrain was in Maine.
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I took a minor side trip to Arnold's Well.
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I didn't see any water in the 'well' but a few feet down into the crevice of the rock I found some remaining ice. It is June right? I then climbed up some rock ledges.
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The trail wasn't nearly as steep after this but had plenty of small puds (pointless ups and downs).
Finally, the summit was in sight.
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Almost there!
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Madison rests on the summit
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Sign on the 3,213' summit
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Flagstaff Lake
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Here's a view of the Bigelow Horns.
The Appalachian Trail goes over South Horn (right in the photo)
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Here's a 360° video clip.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Maddie and I descended the mountain over the same route.
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