Cranberry Peak offers a stunning watch of western Maine mountains
Scheduled to lead a late February Penobscot Paddle & Chowder Culture outing, my choice was to ski. An premature freezing rainstorm constrained the choices. As late as the day ahead of, I was however searching for the perfect snowboarding solution. My last choice was motivated by my son, Adam, who favored the alternative recommendation, climbing Cranberry Peak, the western most summit in the Bigelow Selection. Despite the late notice, two some others signed on for the 6.5-mile roundtrip excursion to the 3,213-foot mountaintop.
My practical experience indicates it’s ordinarily snowing in Carrabassett Valley in the winter. Distinct for most of the travel, contrary to the forecast, continuous snow commenced once Route 27 joined the Carrabassett River in close proximity to Kingfield. Doddering old people like me do not like driving in stormy weather. We just cannot see properly, and incipient senescence has diminished our reaction times. Anxious about our constraints, we nervously creep alongside on slippery roads. Invariably, youngsters commence tailgating us. In quick, we never have a fantastic time.
The snowfall continued uninterrupted until we arrived at the wintertime trailhead at the conclude of Currie Street in Stratton. The probability of savoring the phenomenal views the summit experienced to supply appeared not likely.
The modest parking spot at the wintertime trailhead is bewildering due to the fact there are no trail indications. The Bigelow Selection Path main to Cranberry Peak and past doesn’t basically begin for another .3 mile. Rather, an energetic snowmobile tremendous highway have to be very carefully crossed very first.
Clockwise from ideal: Hikers come upon a steep, twisting path on Cranberry Peak whilst traversing the north slope of Cranberry Peak, hikers can place Flagstaff Lake in the length a hiker crawls below a fallen tree on a Cranberry Peak trek in late February. Credit score: Courtesy of Ron Chase
An inspection of the trail indicated a pair of inches of contemporary powder protected a surface formerly packed by snowshoe website traffic. The common discussion about whether or not or not to dress in or carry snowshoes ensued. Three of us commenced wearing them while one member chose trail crampons. By the time we finished, anyone was toting their snowshoes.
The commencing of the trek was arguably the most hazardous part of the expedition. Eluding a seemingly unlimited continuum of speeding snowmobiles was essential to attain the summer season trailhead. The snow abated and glimpses of sunshine penetrated the cloud address as we proceeded up a reasonable gradient on a slim path in a predominantly conifer forest.
Immediately after about a mile, we encountered the initial of several fallen trees that blocked the path. Crawling underneath the impediment was the only choice. Shortly just after, we began climbing steeply up a twisting attenuated incline.
Persisting through a constricted passageway in between a sequence of large boulders, we emerged on to a succession of partially open ledges with restricted views of nearby Flagstaff Lake. Even though the major of the escarpment deceptively appeared to be the mountain’s large stage, the precise summit was continue to far more than a mile away.
The gradient moderated as we started advancing by means of an prolonged rolling traverse alongside the rugged north slope of a substantial prominence. Persisting easterly, we periodically observed Flagstaff Lake on our remaining. Pivoting south, we ascended precipitously in stunted mountain scrub to a ridge wherever the barren Cranberry summit was visible in the east.
Energized following identifying our goal, we confronted a new impediment. Potent northwest winds gusted around the partly uncovered height of land, triggering serious wind chills. Every person huddled in a sheltered drop to incorporate parkas and protecting equipment just before making an attempt the final ascent.
Persevering cautiously up the abrupt summit cone, we had been distracted from the stupendous sights by forceful winds and arctic chilly. Attaining the blustery alpine peak, we struggled to savor the superb surroundings in the otherwise inhospitable setting. A panoramic vista of frozen Flagstaff Lake was the backdrop for a hurried photograph. The summits on the Bigelow Variety could be discerned extending farther east, and Sugarloaf Mountain and the peaks of western Maine dominated the landscape south and west.
Rapidly retreating down below tree line for refuge from the piercing wind, we paused for an overdue snack, which furnished needed sustenance ahead of beginning our descent. After down below the ridge, winds moderated letting for a comfortable return.
The steady roar of snowmobile engines could be listened to all through our technique to the summer season trailhead. Fortuitously, none of the streaking equipment have been encountered in the course of the last section of the journey. When unpacking and preparing for the experience residence, it began to snow. That created feeling after all, we were in Carrabassett Valley.
