FOT 48 North Tripyramid 9/12/09

What a day! My mom (Tracey), brother (Jeremy), and friend Brian (Scott was home sick with a cold ) Started off from Livermore Parking Lot at 8:30am sporting our pole sections made of PVC piping. We headed up the road passing a field with a view of our North Peak destination and the difficult North Slide visible also. The road continues for an annoyingly long time much like Lincoln Woods trail but we were enjoying conversation and the beautiful day!

Once on the Tripyramid Loop Trail we began to climb more steeply before coming to the rocky area at the foot of the slide. Soon after we were negotiating rock scrambles and straight up rock slab climbing. Conditions were mostly dry and we took our time and had no problems. Once on the more gravelly section things slowed under the loose footing. Brian slipped and gouged his knee pretty good. No bones broken he was happy to go home with a bloody leg to show he did something! Soon after we decided to take a break about 1/2 way up the slide. Views were great to Tecumseh and the Osceola's but all else was fogged in. We were very happy with the perfect temps. and no precipitation though.

Onward we finally made our way to the head of the slide. One last look as the fog overtook the rest of the peaks and we climbed back into the trees. The trail quickly begins to climb steeply again before we made it to the Rock on North Peak summit at 12:15pm. We dropped our packs and began to determine which tree would be best to hold the flag configuration. We found a perfect tree to climb 10 ft. from the actual summit and began assembly. 2 hikers showed up who were glad to see that this peak was covered...they had done this a couple years they said. Approximately 30ft. of PVC piping and plently of duct tape put together and the flag attatched Jeremy climbed the tree while Brian and I hoisted the pole. Tracey was on camera duty. Once in place we attatched it to the tree with tape and rope. After seeing that the pole was too flexible Jeremy and I climbed the tree again to rope off the pole to surrounding trees. This was successful. The FOT 48 History plaque in place under the tree and the number of 9/11 deaths read aloud we decided to check out middle peak as I remember this peak to have the best views.

Another steep hike down to the col then back up to Middle Peak. Pretty exhausted we arrived with unfortunatley no view of our Flag on North Peak due to the fog. Oh, well. We set up lunch on the West facing ledge. There was a flag on this peak which surprised me. I checked it out and recognized the face. I questioned his name to which he replied his first and last name, I must have had a blank look because he then said Cumulus. OH, I said, RocksOnTop. He was with another whom I forgot his name (sorry). After our "nice to meet you's" I joined my group for a smorgus board of lunch and COFFEE!

Once nourished we headed back at 1:45pm. Once back at North Peak we dissasembled the flag pole, packed up and headed down Scaur Ridge trail leaving about 2:30pm. We arrived back at the parking lot without incedent at 5:30pm. This was a fun and meaningful trip and an awesome hike. The lack of views was dissapointing but better than rain! We were all pretty sore and tired and ready for a good meal, shower and bed! My pole configuration was a success which made me happy and it was great to have a group to help out and provide plenty of laughs for the day. Great day, can't wait for next years!




Picks of this trip here> http://www.flickr.com/photos/excape1/sets/72157622369415458/

Ice Gulch 9/5/09

OK, so we weren't sliding on Ice per-say, but boy what a tough hike! It all started with an overnight in Twin Mountain at the Boulder Cabins. Scott and I were out the door about 8:15 & arrived at the trailhead for Cook Path at 8:45am. A couple friendly dogs came out to the road to watch us gear up. We headed out under partly cloudy skies and some brisk moutain air. No bugs, YAY!

We quickly came to Boothman Spring and the Mt. Cresent trail head. Onward. The trail soon crosses a few rocky spots with scattered boulders to the sides of the trail but remains gradual. We passed across half-a-dozen logging roads of varying ages and tree harvesting sections visible when looking up some of the newer roads. Once the Cook Path hits it's high point at about 2700ft. it levels and gradually descends through Hunters Pass and what looks like an old dried up marsh now overgrown with trees. At about 2500ft. we passed a wood pole marking, the trail descends a tiny bit steeper and soon we arrived at the Head of Ice Gulch. We breaked here as we looked straight down to the rocks 50ft. down.

Once nourished we slowly made our way down to the point of no return! For the next mile we would see plently of boulders for about a mile. This trail reminded of King Ravine and the Ice Caves only picture it squeezed into a ravine no wider than 200ft. wide with tree covered sheer ledge on either side. Boulder Caves, Moss, Lichen and Alpine (actually rare Sub-Alpine) abound in this ravine leaving a very narrow trail area. And yes we did find ice! Two sections 10 ft. below our feet in the cold boulder traps.

Speaking of traps, I stepped off trail to relieve myself and upon returning I stepped on some moss covered branches which gave loose to a very deep boulder trap. I fell in to my waste! Not able to feel any ground below my feet I had to lift myself out with my arms. I was fortunate to walk away from that with just some scrapes! Scott also had a fall slipping on the wet, slippery rock landing on his hip and almost sliding into a cave. YIKES, the trail is trying to kill us! We slowly and cautiously made our way through the very difficult and dangerous terrain with a few stops to admire the beautiy and serenity this trail offers. We finally made our way to the open, dry and easier-to-manage talus slope with a dissapointing view toward Gorham. Once past this lovely area we arrived at Fairy Spring with an attractive mossy pool and the sound of water rushing under ground. Here we passed the only person of the day who was on his way up.

We came to the Peboamauk Trail Loop which we took despite our exhuastion. The trail is steep but footing is good. We made several annoying brook crossings then steeply down again to the foot of Peboamauk Fall "Winter's Home". The fall was nice though the dead tree that toppled into it ruins the perfect waterfall look that this fall could provide. Onward and steeply upward we made our way back up and out of the ravine. We arrived back onto Ice Gulch trail. The trail is now an annoying 2 miles of ups and downs crossing once again a couple logging roads. The trail ends on a field with a barn and dirt driveway ahead. The owners clearly mowed a 20ft. wide path to accomadate the hikers. We hiked down the road about a mile passing a run down house with an unleashed violent Rotty dog and hurried on arriving back at the starting point at 12:45.

The book states that the Ice Gulch trail segment is the most difficult in the Whites and I agree. Most difficult & dangerous I have done. Due to the lack of sunlight this trail receives and abundance of moss, the craggy boulders are wet and slippery and create many open holes on the trail and difficult and steep sections to negotiate. The scenery is beautiful though it gets old after about a mile of tricky scrambling and rock hopping. The view towards Gorham is nothing special. The site of ice that has been there all summer was neat and I was glad to check out this rare ravine. BE CAREFUL!! I heard on Monday that a family with a ten year old got trapped on Ice Gulch on Sunday. I can see why. Not an easy trail to negotiate and no way out but through the gulch as the AMC Book suggests.

Picks of this hike> http://www.flickr.com/photos/excape1/sets/72157622321353226/