Originally Posted by
peakbagger
Never heard it called the Caribou Pond Road, I have always heard it called the Caribou Valley Road. It is logging road. There are a couple of bridges that can be sketchy. Worse case is you park before the bridge and walk a bit farther. Do note that the crossing of the South Branch just off the road can be difficult in high water. There is occasionally a plank tied to the trees for crossing. The climb up Sugarloaf is steep but after that its fast walking along the ridge. I got dropped off around 10 AM and was planning to stay at Spaulding Shelter but got there real early. I could have stayed at Orbeton Stream but I pushed a bit and camped at Poplar Ridge that evening. I included the spur up and down to the Sugarloaf Summit.
The Rapid Stream Road sometimes really gets crappy after the last camps. Its been awhile but there are two bridges near the trailhead that were out several years ago.