My friend’s daughter has decided that she is going to hike all of the mountains in the park this summer. There are 21, or so she said… I have yet to compile a list, but let’s just go with that for now. I have not decided if I am going to carpetbag on this challenge, or not.
Just in case, though, I decided to get started with the highest one: Cadillac Mountain. My thought being that it will get easier as the project moves forward. As it turned out this was an easy hike. It was long, but pretty easy, a gradual incline up and a gradual incline down. There were beautiful views, and at the top there were hundreds of people, who drove up. We just used the facilities and continued the trail down.
the peak
what to carry along
CAMERA
This is optional, I use my cell phone on long hikes, but sometimes I want the picture more than the workout.
WATER & FOOD
I don’t need as much water in fall, as in summer, but always need a snack, occasionally, and usually, rather suddenly, I get low blood sugar. It’s good to have some calories in the pack.
LAYERS
I have a lightweight jacket that I can throw on at the top of the mountain, when it gets a bit breezy.
MAP
We brought a map, but it was older and the trails were a bit different, and the All Trails map was not available unless we had cell service.
BACKPACK
I bought a small day pack this year that I like very much, it’s very light, and doesn’t throw me off balance. It’s an Osprey, Hikelite 18, in black.
POLES
This is optional, there are some times when I would like the stability, but typically I don’t carry poles.
Cadillac Mountain, 1530′
how to get here
PARKING
We used 2 cars and left one on the side of the road near the Blackwoods Campground in Otter Creek, then drove in the Cadillac Entrance Road and parked on the left, just before the bridge. It was a short walk through the Kebo parking lot to the North Ridge Trail.
the new reservation system
In addition to a parking pass, each vehicle will also need a reservation to enter the park. Starting Oct 1 the park will be adopting a new reservation system. Reservations are $2/car and are available through the park service website, not at the ticket office.
[Cadillac Mountain is already sold out for sunrise in October, but more reservations will be released 48 hours beforehand}
you need both things!!
the survivors
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