3,000 vertical feet with excellent footing?

[Mohamed Ellozy]

I hope to do a real hike (trail, as opposed to Mt. Tecumseh service road that has been my gym for the past couple of weeks) with about 3,000 feet of vertical tomorrow (will turn round if it is too much for me).

I will be hiking with only one pole, as I do not want to put any stress on my mending wrist. As a result I want no stream crossing that has any difficulty, and no scrambles. Also good footing most of the way would be a huge plus. At this stage training matters more to me than views ... they will come soon enough.

Right now I can think of Smarts Brook, Garfield (up to ridge) and Carter Dome. At low water I recall the crossings on all three as being very easy, and the footing as being good by WMNF standards. Osseo is out, as I much prefer having two poles when going down the ladders.

Please comment on my choices and make further suggestions!

Thanks.

 

[TDawg]

Not sure of the numbers, but Benton trail on the Moose has some pretty decent footing. Quiet as well. Just the one stream crossing should be cake at this time of year.

*A quick online search turned up 3100 feet from your handy peakbagging site.

Edit: Perhaps I have a false recollection of said stream crossing. It's been a while.

 

[MichaelJ]

Does Avalon-Field-Willey-Field-Tom have enough elevation? I recall the footing as being pretty darn good up there as long as you don't do the Willey-Ethan Pond stretch.

 

[Mohamed Ellozy]

Benton would be ideal, but stream crossing is difficult even with two arms

But your post makes me think of Glencliff ... no scrambles though upper part is a bit rough, maybe not too rough?

 

[Billy]

1- OBP up to the nice lookouts of Walker Brook Ravine (maybe less elev. than you want?)

2- Valley Way to Hut (maybe more elev. than you want?)

3- Cherry pick a perfect day and drive up Washington...take Crawford Path as far south as you want before doubling back. How often do we get to end a training hike with a 1300' climb? Also, zero water crossings. Pick a great weather day and train in style.

 

[HH1]

Mohamed,

Although 500 vertical short of 3K, how about that smooth, continuous grade on Kearsarge North? Good views too even without climbing the tower.

 

[Craig]

If you go to Madison post some pics of the rockwork along with the granite compass. Should be done by now.

 

[David Metsky]

Carriage Road on Moosilauke would seem to be ideal.

 

[Mohamed Ellozy]

Thanks for all the suggestions! I think Dave hit the jackpot ... Carriage Road (plus optional South Peak) is tomorrow's plan.

 

[Creag Nan Drochaid]

CarrRd good choice, because...

Hello, Mohammed,
I'll remark on one of the choices other posters mentioned. I hiked the OBP as far as the ledge view of Walker Ravine yesterday, guiding two ladies from Michigan heading for Greenleaf Hut to walk Franconia Ridge today (turned them on to chap. 16 of Backwoods Ethics so they could better understand what they were seeing, after they asked about Guy and Laura).
I hike with only one pole by choice, it is what I am used to. From where the OBP turns north and uphill at the edge of Walker Ravine on up, at least as far as the ledge above Deadass Curve where you can look south down Franconia Notch, there at least several places where the boulders are so close together, and the trail so eroded (despite the best efforts of the adopter, AMC-NH Vol Trail Crew, that I needed to use my free hand for balance. Given the state of your wrist, you might have found them riskier than you'd like.
Hope you like the CarrRd. At least it gets you up to views, and at a fast pace is a good workout.
Creag nan drochaid

 

[Mohamed Ellozy]

Carriage Road on Moosilauke would seem to be ideal.

Definitely was a winner!

The first three miles (to Snapper junction) has outstanding footing by any standard (OK, wet in places). Above Snapper the footing is at least "good" (if not better) by WMNF standards. Add gentle grades, a decent elevation gain, and you get an ideal trail for a recovering hiker.

I hope to do a real hike (trail, as opposed to Mt. Tecumseh service road that has been my gym for the past couple of weeks) with about 3,000 feet of vertical tomorrow ...

I have a feeling that the Carriage Road will be my gym on days when I feel up to 3,000 feet until I leave.

 

[freighttrain48]

Definitely was a winner!

The first three miles (to Snapper junction) has outstanding footing by any standard (OK, wet in places). Above Snapper the footing is at least "good" (if not better) by WMNF standards. Add gentle grades, a decent elevation gain, and you get an ideal trail for a recovering hiker.
I have a feeling that the Carriage Road will be my gym on days when I feel up to 3,000 feet until I leave.

Not a bad gym if you ask me no monthly fee or smelly locker room

 

[Mohamed Ellozy]

Not a bad gym if you ask me no monthly fee or smelly locker room

And the views beat the TV in the gym