North & South Crocker Mountain

The Appalachian Trail in Maine is generally considered the most difficult of all the fourteen states that the A.T. traverses. The Maine portion covers about 282 miles and offers hikers rugged terrain, stunning wilderness, and remote beauty. In some sections, don’t expect to hike more than a mile an hour and get used to steep ascents and descents. Slippery and sometimes hazardous weather can occur at any time, and the terrain is often remote to say the least.  The hiking season in Maine is typically from late May to early October. Snow can linger on higher peaks into June, and weather can change rapidly.

This hike over the Crocker Mountains follows the Appalachian Trail for 8.1 miles near Stratton, Maine. It can be done from either the ME 27 or Caribou Valley Road trailheads but plenty of effort is required to summit regardless of the direction. The Crocker Cirque Campsite is located about a mile from Caribou Valley Road, and is the best campsite in this area. It is situated in a glacial bowl near a small pond with tent platforms, a spring, and a privy. From the pond, there are views toward the Crocker Mountains and the A.T. with peaks that sit over 1300 feet above the site. It’s a very scenic campsite, but don’t underestimate the difficulty of the terrain in this area.