Sunday, June 28, 2009

Sandwich Dome 6/27/09

Despite our cancellation of our June 27 hike to celebrate my mothers 50th birthday (and sister backing out due to work) we decided almost at the last minute to take a chance despite the forecast for isolated thunderstorms (most of which were forecasted for late afternoon anyway). It would be my mom, brother and I and we decided on Sandwich Dome. We arrived in the Sandwich Mountain Trail Parking lot at 9:30am. Overcast and wet as expected we started up Sandwich Mountain Trail at 9:50 stopping at the trail head sign for a group picture. The trail head is obscured from the parking lot. Walk 15 ft. or so down the road and the trail is on the left. Cross the ski trail and towards the fenced in power plant, continue following the fence until the trail breaks left into the woods and quickly drops and crosses Drakes Brook. Hope that short walk warmed you up because the trail immediatley begins a moderate climb. As you crest the North side of Noon Peak (2,930 feet) you cross over some sections of rock slab and the Lichen & moss becomes plentiful. One clump of lichen topped moss had a pretty slug on it like I have never seen. Continue on until you come to your first ledge outlook with views North to Waterville Valley and surrounding 4000 footers. We were bug free until this point, though they seemed to be hanging out on just the ledge area. Passing this area you soon come to another open rock area with an excellent view to Jennings Peak (3,455 feet). Drop back into the woods and at the junction take a right for a short climb to Jennings Peak consisting of a wooded summit with several beautiful ledges (all of which were busy with hikers). Here you will find excellent views South to Sandwich Dome, and South West to the Acteon Ridge and Whiteface beyond. Once back down to the main trail we passed by a garter snake curled up in some moss. As my brother and I took some pictures my mother continued on. Then suddenly we heard a loud crash and thump...then our mother calling out to us a bit startled. We ran to see what happened, a smile on her face she pronounced that we had just missed a face-to-face encounter with a buck moose. It took off startled! Well that moose brought us luck as the sky continued to stay free of rain! Now a little steeper we climbed to the summit of Sandwhich Dome, 3,393 feet, arriving around 1:30pm. We broke out lunch and we were soon bombarted by black fly swarms. We took some pics, broke out the Mountain House dehydrated birthday ice cream which was pretty tasty and headed back down. We got onto Drakes Brook Trail and were soon sprinkled on for a short couple minutes. This trail was very gradual and had easy footing. We passed some attractive water falls and onto a logging road where we made a stop at a large cascade/flume area. Then a simple stroll down the logging road arriving at the parking lot at 4:30pm. This was a great hike containing a large number of lichen & moss species. Views are average and limited with a particularly interesting view of the Osceolas but a great hike that is well sheltered for an overcast hike. View Pics Here

Thursday, June 25, 2009

"A Foggy Hike"

"A Foggy Hike"

Though your footing be rough and rocky,


Your steps slow as you tread uphill,


And although the view is foggy,


The cool, moist air eerily still,


Care not what challenges hinder your climb,


Carry on keeping your weary, persistent pace,


For on a mountain is there no better a place,


No better a place to pass the time.


Jason S. Morris

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

"In the White Mountains"

"In the White Mountains"
Mountains in whose vast shadows like great names,

On whose firm pillars rest mysterious dawns,

And sunsets that redream the apocalypse;

A world of billowing green that, veil on veil,

Turns a blue mist and melts in lucent skies;

A silent world, save for slow waves of wind,

Or sudden, hollow clamor of huge rocks

Beaten by valleyed waters mainfold;-

Airs that to breathe is life and joyousness;

Days dying into music; nights whose stars

Shine near, and large, and lustrous; these, O these,

These are for memory to life's ending hour.


Friday, June 19, 2009

The Mountain Wanderer

Almost every avid hiker in New England knows of the Mountain Wanderer Map & Book store. Located in Lincoln, NH on the Kancamagus Highway (Rt. 112) in a little building on the side of the Hobo-Railroad. This little store contains many great books and maps and is owned and operated by Steve Smith a very nice guy to talk with and very much into the mountains of New England. Check out his website for all the info. Make this a must stop in your travels to the mountains and pick up great reads that you just can't find easy any place else. Also while in Lincoln make sure you sink some holes at the exciting Hobo-Hills mini-golf next to the Comfort Inn. A great vacation...staying at the "Comfy" Inn, with a short walk to Hobo-Hills, Hobo Railroad, the Mountain Wanderer, McKenzie Gear, Fratello's and so much more! My favorite town up North to stay in.

Monday, June 15, 2009

Seacoast Day Hikers Club

Are you looking for a group of people to hike with? All abilities are welcome at Seacoast Day Hikers Club! It can sometimes be difficult to find someone to hike with, never mind someone who enjoys hiking as much as you do. Founded in 1994 by Phil Blampied there is no fee to join and an $8.00 fee gets you there news letter if you choose. Check them out> http://www.seacoastdayhikers.com/index.html

Sunday, June 14, 2009

Mt. Whiteface trip report 6/13/09


Didn't plan on hiking Saturday but my mother (Tiny Tornado) called Friday and asked if I was hiking. The weather sounded all right so I said OK let's do it. Scott sat this one out as he had a long, stressful week at work and wanted to sleep in and get stuff done. Decided to do Whiteface in Sandwich Range as Scott (Ascender) and I only got a view of clouds when we hiked it in "07". I decided on making a loop out of it ascending Blueberry Ledge Trail and descending Rollins and Dicey's Mill Trail. We got to the town of Wonalancet late at 10:30, but to my surprise the usual overflowed Ferncroft parking lot had a couple spaces open. We headed up the popular route of Blueberry Ridge TR. The skeeters were buzzing and the black flies out too A pleasant gradual hike for about .6 miles then the trail get's pretty rocky before you come to your first rock slab, with limited views south. For the first time I was noticing lichen and moss on the rock in a different way after reading about granite succession in Tom Wessels book "The Granite Landscape " http://hikethesummits.blogspot.com/2009/06/granite-landscape.html. You continue your gradual climb in and out of trees/scrub & rock slabs before re-entering the woods. About 2 hours in you get your first good view to Whiteface's massive ledge then soon you reach the first set of rock scrambling. This area is tough especially the area where a ladder once helped out that is no longer there. If you have issue with heights or climbing you should not attempt this trail. Once you've climbed several ledges and rocks you are rewarded with several good eating areas and a ledge with view across to the whiteface ledges (which I seemed to miss this time...blocked by tree growth?). Soon after at 1:30 we reached the double rock knob of Blueberry Ridge, another good spot for lunch with views North East to Washington, East to Passaconaway, Paugus & Chocorua and South to the Lakes Region and South West to Sandwich Dome. We broke out lunch and swallowed it quickly due to the onslaught of black flies that were swarming us We continued on to Rollins Trail, dropped down then back up and passed the Whiteface true summit (a small cairn in the woods). Rollins Trail follows the "U" shaped ravine along the wooded ridge about 2 miles in length with 2 small ledge look-outs towards blueberry ridge and whiteface. You PUD (pointless ups & downs) your way along, at times with a 1500' drop to your right that would be pretty scary if not for the small pine making a safe barrier. The trail is rocky on it's upper sections but generally has pretty easy footing. We made our final drop and climbed over Passaconaways South Ridge to Dicey's Mill trail. We headed down on this TR saving Passaconaway for another day. Rollins Trail was very gradual with very easy footing with only a few steep pitches. We passed a Parish group from Tewksbury. Mass. of about 15 kids and 5 adults heading for camp Rich. We passed by several large old trees in the valley made a couple river crossings and got back to the road at 5:00 passing by some beautiful old homes who's homeowners have a great back drop of mountains to look at everyday Not too bad of a day dispite the BF's and an enjoyable route over an enjoyable mountain. Pics on Flickr> http://www.flickr.com/photos/excape1/

Thursday, June 11, 2009

National Get Outdoors Day June 13nth

National Get Outdoors Day is on June 13 http://www.nationalgetoutdoorsday.org/. Don't miss it, or atleast, GET OUTDOORS! Events and activities will be held at both the AMC Highland Center http://www.outdoors.org/lodging/lodges/highland/index.cfm and the Pinkham Notch VC http://www.outdoors.org/lodging/lodges/pnvc/index.cfm

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Barefoot hiking

Came across this article from John Tesh...his radio show is on 94.5fm every week night 7-12. Barefoot hiking http://tesh.com/ittrium/visit?path=A1xc797x1y1xa5x1x76y1x2437x1x9by1x243cx1y5x4804x5x1 I have come across hikers in sandels before but never bare feet. This sounds extreme but I guess it must have been done before the invention of shoes and is done in other countries. Here is the "official website" for barefoot hiking http://www.barefooters.org/hikers/ Not sure if this new (or re-born) take on hiking will take route in NH. Guess I'll have to keep an eye out!

Sunday, June 7, 2009

Mt. Madison 6/6/09


Woke up today with sore calves and feet from a very ambitious hike on Saturday. I had planned this hike mid-week hoping the weather would stay nice for us to make this loop. We headed out Saturday 7am. Made a stop at the Pinkham Notch VC...got the book I posted on, "The Granite Landscapes", and checked the weather forecasts and checked our route on the 3-D Presi-Range map. It was settled, we were doing the Madison Gulf - Osgood Loop! We got to the parking lot for the Great Gulf at 9:00am, 70* and sunny. I planned on returning by 6pm and sent Tiny Tornado a text with the plan. We signed the register and headed across the suspension bridge. The trail is wide and gradual, a nice warm up for what was to come! We made it to the bluff, got some pics, then took a right at the Osgood Cut-off and dropped down the steep, but small hill and crossed the river. Soon we reached the Madison Gulf Trail on our right and began the more steep climb. This section of trail was very interesting. It follows a wooded narrow ridge variating from 12-20ft in width for a good ways. Eventually the ridge widens and blends in with Madison Gulf. We went through a rather boring section of trail than started to enter a boulder field. YES! That means we are close to a ravine!! This boulder strewn floor was different from others. It was wooded, and it had a river running through the huge boulders...very cool and very picturesque. A must for a spring hike when the waters are flowing! Here the trail became very steep as it climbed the boulder strewn river and we followed and crossed it for a long time. What a beautiful wild and rugged area. We then came to a fairly impressive "water slide", Moss Rock Fall. Made a brief stop here and headed up trail again. Soon views of the Madison Gulf Cliff was visible through the trees. The trail headed straight for them than sunddenly turned to the right. We began to climb steeply over ledge and boulders needing to pull ourselves up with our hands in spots. I will admit some spots were tricky but certainly not too difficult or hair-raising. We soon realized that we would not be seeing the cliff up close as the trail kept well right of them. (The cliffs would have to be bushwacked to sometime in the future, I have to see them up-close). Once we realized we would not be on the cliffs and would not have a great spot for lunch, we dropped ourselves on the rock laden trail and had our much needed lunch. All fueled up we took off. The trail continued it's steep climb with no incedence and we topped the headwall and broke out of the trees. A group of 4 were coming down (our first sign of other human life forms today), I warned them of the steep trail (which is not recommended for decent) whcih the leader new and they and ourselves carried on. We took a left on Parapet TR and passed Star Lake and made it to the hut. The wind was moderate to 30 mph. (guesstamit) and we sat near the hut for a second lunch break. Arrival time 2pm. After a 15 min. break we started for the Madison Summit over sharp broken rock and topped the peak at 3pm. Views were wonderful, under mostly sunny skies, 65* and clear views across the Northern Presi's to Washington. After some pics and celebration we headed down what looked like the easy Osgood Ridge. Soon, as the ridge came more into focus, we realized the ridge would not be an easy task! The ridge runs about a mile up and down over 5 or so peaklets, which is tough when rock hopping over jagged, rough rock. Views were beatiful though and we enjoyed it. We came upon a pleasant, tired out couple doing an 8 hut trip (coming from Carter Notch). We had a nice chat and than continued down and finally to the end of the open ridge. We took one last break, and one last view through the Great Gulf to Washington, then dropped into the trees. The trail drops quickly with easy footing and after what seemed for ever the trail evened out and eventually coming back to the Great Gulf Trail. The skeeters were on to us now so we kept our quick, painful pase and made it back to the truck at 6pm, right on time! A beautiful day and beautiful loop. Madison Gulf trail will go down in my book as difficult but not most difficlut in the Whites. The Osgood trail is not one I would want to make an ascent on. You have to look up at your Madison Summit destination for a mile as you huff and puff up a difficult trail. I now have only 1 ravine/gulf left to hike on the Presi's, The Great Gulf...but that's another day! View my pics here> http://www.flickr.com/photos/excape1/

Friday, June 5, 2009

The Granite Landscape by Tom Wessels

An interesting book covering the many aspects of our bare, rocky mountain tops from Acadia to Yosemite. I am always in awe when I see the awesome exposed tops of our peaks dotted and blanketed with alpine flora and wild life. I am exited to get this book and learn what makes them the way they are.
RELATED LINKS:
http://observatory.mountwashington.org/site/Calendar/Calendar?view=Detail&id=100161
http://www.countrymanpress.com/titles/GraniteLandscapePB.html

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Metromint Water


I bring this water on every hike. It is soothing, refreshing and leaves a clean cool taste in your mouth. Fresh Mint is used and there are no preservatives or artifitial sweetners. I prefer the Orangemint flavor, try them for yourself. Great for any activity!
http://www.metromint.com/

National Trails Day 6/6/09

Hike in the Whites and want to give back? Here's your chance! Take part in trail projects big and small on June 6, 2009.
National Trails Day - Trail Work Project on Elephant Head Spur and Mt. Willard Trail in Crawford Notch. Join us for a day of trail work and FREE BBQ dinner at AMC Highland Center for all participants. Pre-registration is required. Please contact Alex DeLucia at 603-466-2721 x8128 or adelucia@outdoors.org to reserve your space today. All abilities and families are welcome.
National Trails Day - Beaver Brook Trails project

Trip Report: Mt. Paugus 5/30/09


Yet again the weather kept changing throughout the week, and Friday night the forecast called for passing showers in the afternoon (pretty much same forecast as Sunday last weekend). So Ascender & I made out for the close-by Sandwich Range again. I have come to LOVE this range. We decided on Mt. Paugus, up Cabin/Lawrence Trails and down Old Paugus/Big Rock Cave Trails. We got to the road side trailhead off 113A at 10:00am. The trails start off on a private road (follow signs) until joining a small logging road. At the junction we went left up Cabin Trail (blue blazes all the way up). The skeeters were buzzing annoyingly and we began crossing small streams/tributary's and wet trails from the night before. As soon as we stopped the skeeters would swarm us like I have never seen before. They were all over our face, hands knecks, any skin they could find...I even got bit twice through my shirt! We applied the bug spray which only seemed to keep 75% of them from actually biting and we high-tailed it with only brief 5 second breaks for the 2 miles up to the Whitin Brook junction. Here the Skeeters lessened to only a couple as the trail became very rugged and wild as views to the Paugus Ledges became visible through the trees. The feeling of isolation here is undescribable (equal to the feeling on Carrigain Notch Trail for me, with less mileage). You curv your way through boulders and small cliffs as you follow the wooded ridge. Dropping breifly down to Lawrence Trail, then climbing steeply through rugged sections of trail and 1/2 a dozen switchbacks. Finally we broke out of the trees to Paugus Ledges. The views were wonderful West to the Sandwich Range and South towards the Lakes Region. After a 1/2 hour lunch we started down the other side, which proved to be steep as we climbed down many sections of rock. Very old yellow blazes were barely noticeable which made it difficult to determine what was a side trail or the actual trail, has this side of the mountain been orphaned? We got limited views to Chocorua now and then before dropping into the trees, again on wild trail crossing through boulders and large cliffs. We dropped down to the river and crossed it to Big Rock Cave Trail (back on blue blazes ). Climbing once again to Big Rock Caves, massive boulders piled next to/on top of each other to create a couple "caves" similar to the boulder caves in King Ravine. We climbed a little more, leveled off on Mt. Mexico then an easy stroll down to the truck. Finished at 3:30 very pleased with our selection and the excellent weather. Can't wait to do this one again. Headed for Square Ledge and Passaconaway next. Love these peaks!

Pictures on my Flickr Page http://www.flickr.com/photos/excape1/