Sunday, September 30, 2012

Katahdin's Chimney Pond Trail 9/29/12

"A Wet but Colorful Attempt at Katahdin" (pictures)

Ever since I hiked Katahdin in 2000 I had been dying to return. This year felt like the time to visit this monstrous mountain with Scott. We had been doing some big, difficult hikes and our legs were ready for the most dangerous trail in New England along Baxter Peaks Knife Edge! I got a cabin reserved a month in advance and as soon as the non-resident 2 week window was open I reserved 1 of the remaining 6 pre-paid parking passes. Everything was ready and good to go! Now it was up to the weather!

We arrived in Millinocket on Friday around 2:30pm. The view of Katahdin as you enter the town was so exciting! We checked in at the Cabin. The owner asked what are plans were. When I said we planned on Katahdin and the knife edge if it didn't rain (rain chance when last I looked was 20-40%) he said, "oh, it's gonna rain!" Rain chance was now 90%. He advised against an attempt at the knife edge and wished us luck. Soon we were back on the road headed towards the mountain for some sight-seeing! After all, looks like this may be our only opportunity to get a clear view of the scenery.

We followed the road in, stopping at the ponds and pull-offs trying to get a view of the mountain. We picked up a shadow along the way, a photographer also looking for "the shot" of Katahdin amidst the foliage.
We found ourselves all the way down past the Baxter State Park sign and to the visitor center. A modest cabin with no electricity, only gas run lights. They had a 3-D map of the range like the one in Mt. Washington's Pinkham Notch VC only it wasn't faded and worn-out!

We spoke to the Ranger there who was very informative and of course, was very against a hike on the knife edge or any of the steep trails in the rain. We know all too well of the dangers and told him we had no intentions of putting ourselves in danger if the conditions were not good. He pointed us to Togue Pond behind the cabin where there was a gorgeous view of Katahdin. Loons were making their ghostly sound across the water as Bald Eagles skimmed the lake looking for fish. It was a beautiful spot, we were so glad we got this little bit of sight-seeing in before the rain came!

After a lousy night of sleep we awoke to a light mist outside. Not too bad, we could handle a little mist! We packed up and headed for the gate house. We arrived at 5:30am, no lines, no waiting! The gate keeper reiterated what we had already been told, rain was in the forecast (70% chance) and a big hike was strongly discouraged. We made the long drive in and arrived at the Roaring Brook parking. We geared up, turned our head lamps on and began our hike in the dark, damp woods.

We stopped at the cabin to sign the hiker log and spoke to the care taker there. She asked our route and we said we had wanted to hike the knife edge but if it was going to rain we were going to back out. She also strongly advised against it, even without the rain it is wet up there and extremely dangerous. She recommended we hike Chimney Pond trail and talk to the Ranger up there to find out what he thinks the best route is in these conditions. We agreed to her course of action and she was "very re-leaved to point more hikers away from a dangerous situation"!

And so we made the hike up, soon the sun came up and brightened the trails enough for us to put our lights away. We removed our windbreakers and the hike in wasn't too bad, just some mist and bright foliage along the trail. We stopped at the outlook along the way, with basically no view. There were many bridges and board walks along the way. The trail was wide and gradual but also rugged. Very similar to Mt. Washington's Tuckermans Ravine trail to the cabin. The foliage and ponds were pretty despite the weather and we arrived at the Chimney Pond Campground and Ranger Station in just over 2 hours (book time 2.5hrs.)!

The Ranger was quick to come out and ask "where we were headed!?" "To the pond and back down", we exclaimed! "Good choice", he said re-leaved! He asked on our way back through to sign the log book. We hiked down to the ponds edge. What little we could see it was still a beautiful sight! We were a little bummed out of course, but that is the way it goes! Better luck at a clear hiking day on our next visit!

We stopped back at the station and signed the log. We talked to the Ranger for a bit and he said he was sorry the weather wasn't cooperative. He seemed surprised that we were actually not going to make any attempts at the peaks. He said it was a good choice and as I always say, I'd rather live to hike another day! The mountain isn't going anywhere! We made the trip back down passing many hikers on their way up, all in good spirits despite the weather. The rain was now beginning to come down a bit more and the wind picked up. We ran into the care taker back at the trail head as we logged out and she was happy to see we made a smart decision to head back down.

Having finished so early we decided it was pointless to hang around in the rain the rest of the day and checked out of the cabin early and headed home. We'll be back some time next year!

Sunday, September 9, 2012

FOT48 North Tripyramid 9/8/12

"And then there were Four" (pictures)

Having forgot about the sign ups for Flags on the 48 I was late in signing up and thus missed the opportunity to pick a peak I wanted. There were two remaining that needed a peak coordinator and as I pondered which to choose it was too late. All that was left was North Tripyramid. I had done this peak in 2009 and was hoping for a different one, but was fine with doing a repeat. I had a good size group lining up this year. 2009 there were 4 of us, 2010 on Passaconaway there were 5 and in 2010 on Willey 6. This year it was looking like 8-10! Unfortunately for various reasons we were down to just the two of us. We did hear back from two ladies whom we befriended at Moose Mountains Reservation where we are volunteer land stewards.

We met them at the parking lot at 8am. It was unclear if any of us were going to go through with the hike. There was the threat of rain, particularly in the evening when severe weather was to roll through. I assured them the weather reports looked pretty good for most the day. Our friends Marty and Jill decided to just walk with us for a little while and then head back. The issue was the danger of wet rocks causing a slip and fall, and potential injury. We too were unsure if we would make the hike. We at least wanted to make the effort and just turn back if conditions got bad.

We started up the Livermore trail which follows a logging road. The road was severally washed out in sections, probably from hurricane Irene a year ago. Repairs looked to have been underway all summer. It was a bit humid out and the summits were socked in as we peered up at them from various view points. We made the 2 mile walk to Triyramid trail just under the book time. The skies were clouded in still but seemed non-threatening. We were now faced with the decision to take the longer, but much easier route up Scaur ridge trail...or take the shorter, but steeper, more difficult trail up the North Slide. A couple passed by us headed up towards the slide. After some talking with Scott and determining conditions were just not favorable for an already difficult climb up the steep rock slide, we decided to take Scaur ridge trail. The ladies said they would continue on with us a little further.

We arrived onto the Scaur Ridge trail and passed into the Sandwich Wilderness. The trail was rather pleasant with easy to moderate grades and excellent footing. A few large blow downs that appear to have been there over winter are in need of removal. We arrived at the Pine Bend Brook trail where we met another hiker who had just come up from that way. He went on ahead of us and we continued behind him. The trail now levels off as it follows the ridge line then begins a steep climb over many difficult rock sections. We coaxed Marty and Jill on as they carefully climbed the difficult scrambles. It had been some time since they had climbed a 4000 footer and were doing an amazing job!

After the long slog up this section the four of us arrived at the summit at 12:00pm where a crowd was waiting for us! They exclaimed, "the flag is here!" We dropped our packs and began the assembly. First it was figuring out where and how to secure the base pole. Once done we began piecing the poles together and raising the American Flag. A man from the group jumped in to help us as we tried to secure the poles with rope to hold it in place against the wind. Once secure we affixed the Flag of Honor to the pole and our mission was complete! The group cheered and took photos, then continued on to the Middle peak.

We took our own pics and we were all so happy to have made the hike and able to share the experience together! We had a well deserved lunch and had nice conversation, so glad to have these two along with us! There wasn't much in the way of views, but at least it was dry and the breeze felt nice. At about 12:30 Marty and Jill decided to begin the hike down to allow enough time for them to take it slow and careful down the slippery rock sections of trail. We stayed put until 1:15pm when we decided to pack up and head down in an effort to get out before the rain rolled in, forecasted for 3pm.

We broke down the flag poles and headed out. We caught up to the ladies below the Pine Bend Brook trail junction and we walked together looking back at the North Slide through the trees. The long hike out on Livermore trail was exhausting as always. But we only got hit with some little sprinkles of rain that actually felt refreshing. It wasn't until we literally stepped onto the parking lot that it began to pour! What are the odds!! So happy it held off until we were safe at our vehicles!

We arrived home pretty sore from the hike. While we were unpacking I heard the sound of a cat crying. We both searched the house wondering where it was coming from and why one of our cats (Countess) hadn't greeted us. Turns out she had gotten into Scott's closet in the morning when he was getting dressed. She spent a long 13 hours in there! Poor kitty :o

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

South Kinsman 9/3/12

"Labor day-ing up the most grueling section of the AT" (pictures)

After an awesome hike up Huntington Ravine on 8/19 and with plans to hike Katahdin at the end of September, I figured it would be good to keep the tough hikes rolling this month in preparation. After we had hiked Kinsman North peak a couple months prior we had planned on nabbing South peak from a different trail. This is the norm for us as we don't like to rush or push a hike just to get a peak. We enjoy the different trails and taking our time to enjoy the sights on the trail. Having to work the weekend of the 25/26 we were excited to get back up North.

I had checked the weather Saturday night and it was looking alright. There was a chance of rain but that was mostly for the South. Sunday morning came however and we woke up to wet conditions. I checked the radar on the computer and there was a steady rain going through the White Mountains. I thought of staying put but we have done that in the past and it would turn out to be a beautiful day. So we headed out anyway. As we connected onto I93 in Tilton the rain picked up, sprinkling off and on and temps. were below normal. We arrived in Lincoln and it was the same story. Neither of us wanted to hike in wet conditions. It's just uncomfortable, non-enjoyable and dangerous....particularly on the trail we had chosen. I was suffering from a head cold that I woke up with anyway, so we decided to make the drive back home.

The weather for Labor Day looked spectacular so we headed that morning. As we approached the North the skies cleared and the temps. were much more mild. It was going to be a fabulous day! We missed the Reel Brook road and turned around at the campground past the Mt. Kinsman trail head parking. Back in the area where the road was supposed to be I headed up a gravel road per/ the directions in the book. This brought us up a new development area and a cul-de-sac. This wasn't it! Back on the road we found the road sign overgrown and the hiker sign facing across the street. The same strange set up as the Kinsman Mt. trail. Drivers can't see the sign when it is facing across the street! Who is doing this and why? They should be facing down the street in both directions!

We headed down the road located on a corner across from a large barn. It is a non-town maintained road. The parking area is down a little ways on the left and beyond the road looks to end at a home. The drive way up into the parking area is washed out with large boulders and would not be suitable for a car. We parked, the only vehicle in the lot and began our hike at 8:30am.

The Reel Brook trail follows several old logging roads pretty much the whole way. You make several crossing's of Reel Brook. Continuing on moderate grades with a few steeper pitches you follow under power lines and re-enter the woods on the opposite side. We quickly arrived at the Kinsman Ridge trail junction. Book time was 2 hours and we made it in 1.5 hours! I was rather surprised!

From here the Kinsman Ridge trail descends moderately and levels out at an area where you cross back under the power lines. Here there is a view across the valley to the Sandwich Range and a large marsh area. You re-enter the woods and continue the descent until you pass by the Eliza Brook shelter and cross Eliza Brook. At this point the trail begins it's arduous climbing. You climb the bank of Eliza Brook, steeply at times passing by attractive cascades and pools. We could only imagine how lovely it must be when the water is flowing better.

After crossing the brook again the trail climbs steeply through a young pine grove and climbs for what seemed like a long time until it suddenly leveled out and onto a board walk. The sky opened up and there was a large rock ledge ahead, Harrington Pond below it and the summit of South Kinsman looming beyond. The pond was mostly a mud bog with the lack of rain. But still, what a beautiful area! I spotted some sort of flower along the peat moss shoreline and had to investigate. It turned out to be hundreds of Northern Pitcher Plants. I was so excited! I had never seen one of these before!

After taking all the pictures I could we continued our hike. The next section is what the "4000 Footers" book calls one of the most grueling parts of the AT in the WMNF. And indeed it was a long, steep climb. Not the most difficult climbs we've done by any means, but I could see how it would be difficult for AT hikers with heavy packs. Some ledge scrambles were difficult and it was a long mile up. Just below the summit area you brake from tree-line and views open up across Liberty and Flume and around to the Sandwich Range and Moosilauke. We reached the summit cairn about 1:00pm. The jagged, rocky Lafayette Ridge looms behind the North knob and North peak is seen in the left foreground. The sun was shining off the rocky peaks all around us. Wow, I had 5 hours book time and we did it in 4.5 hours. Guess we have done a good job keeping the leg muscles strong this year and our lungs and hearts healthy!

The summit was rather quite, a couple was having lunch and as we explored the area for a lunch spot several other hikers were seen coming up from the North peak. We made our way back to the cairn where a man and his dog had just arrived. He asked us if we hiked Reel Brook trail. We replied "yes" and he said he had also. He said he has hiked that route 5 or so times and has never seen anyone on that trail! We get that a lot always taking the less traveled, further out trails. We walked back down to a good lunch spot then spotted a ledge area that we climbed down to, to have our lunch.

The sky had clouded over considerably and the wind was lightly pushing the cool air against us. We got cold rather quickly. With the long hike back we didn't stay long anyway. Just enough to look around and re-fuel. After a short 10 minute break we headed back down. We expected the hike down the steep sections to be slow and painful. But it actually went very well. We passed a few people on our way down and after the climb from the camp back to Reel Brook trail it was an easy, quite 3 mile walk back. We ended our day at 4:30pm. We will certainly return to these trails again! Even if it's just a hike to the pond when the water is flowing nice! Oh, and I should add that the Reel Brook trail is easy to follow and well taken care of by it's trail adopter...thank you!

Huntington Ravine 8/19/12

"An Incredible Day in a Ravine" (pictures)