grouseking
Well-known member
This is going to be a short trip report. I've hiked this mtn 3 times now, using the same trail. I thought about using the Algonquin trail, but the combination of hiking with someone who doesn't hike often, and the threat for showers or thundershowers kept me off this trail for now. So instead, we took the Drakes Brook trail up with the idea of taking the Sandwich Mtn trail down.
Temps were cool but the humidity was moderately high, so that made all the rocks quite slippery (the stream crossing was low, but tough because of this). Thankfully, the Drakes Brook trail is pretty easy the whole way and doesn't gain any real elevation until you turn away from the brook. Also, a stream is always a nice companion.
The weather remained dry for awhile with a changeable sky. There were periods of sunshine, but more often than not, the clouds were winning. By the time we reached the Sandwich Mtn trail, a few sprinkles started. Just after our break, a full fledge downpour began, which cooled us off quite nicely. More importantly, there were no claps of thunder, which pleased me.
Progress was slow but steady and we arrived at the summit around 2:30, so it took around 4 hours. Views were hazy at best but you could see the Tripyramids, the Osceolas and Carrigain.
Further northwest the storms clouds were gathering and it appeared we were going to get soaked again:
I made a quick call to my buddy Matt and asked him if he was close to a radar. Unfortunately he was at a store at the time, but the clap of thunder pretty much gave me answer as to if there were thundershowers nearby. Even though the storm was still far away, a few cold gusts of wind rushed out ahead of them and hit us in the face, reminding us that it was prob time to go. I decided to abort heading down the Sandwich Mtn trail. Although its not too steep, there are some rocky exposed areas and steeper sections that I didn't want to traverse in wet conditions. Plus I wasn't sure how my hiking parter would handle going down a steeper slope, so I decided to go back the way we came.
In retrospect, it prob would have been ok taking Sandwich Mtn trail down, since the thunder did not materialize, but it did rain very hard for awhile, so it was nice to be mainly in the woods. Plus, the Drakes Brook trail is not rocky, making life easier. After the 20-30 min of downpours, it ended up being a nice walk thru the woods in light rain and drizzle. The brook had risen quite a bit since morning, and when I got home I checked the doppler radar estimates for rainfall in the area. It was around 6/10 on an inch, so I can see why. We arrived back at the car around 5:15...great hike, and hopefully I didn't scare my hiking parter off since the weather kind of stunk!
We took the scenic route to Rumney and got a bite to eat at the Stinson Grill. There were some nice views along the way....actually better than the views from the top. Oh well
Good hike! Haven't done a new 4k in awhile...hopefully next time! :-D
grouseking....pics http://grouseking.phanfare.com/album/339374#imageID=20913219
Temps were cool but the humidity was moderately high, so that made all the rocks quite slippery (the stream crossing was low, but tough because of this). Thankfully, the Drakes Brook trail is pretty easy the whole way and doesn't gain any real elevation until you turn away from the brook. Also, a stream is always a nice companion.
The weather remained dry for awhile with a changeable sky. There were periods of sunshine, but more often than not, the clouds were winning. By the time we reached the Sandwich Mtn trail, a few sprinkles started. Just after our break, a full fledge downpour began, which cooled us off quite nicely. More importantly, there were no claps of thunder, which pleased me.
Progress was slow but steady and we arrived at the summit around 2:30, so it took around 4 hours. Views were hazy at best but you could see the Tripyramids, the Osceolas and Carrigain.
Further northwest the storms clouds were gathering and it appeared we were going to get soaked again:
I made a quick call to my buddy Matt and asked him if he was close to a radar. Unfortunately he was at a store at the time, but the clap of thunder pretty much gave me answer as to if there were thundershowers nearby. Even though the storm was still far away, a few cold gusts of wind rushed out ahead of them and hit us in the face, reminding us that it was prob time to go. I decided to abort heading down the Sandwich Mtn trail. Although its not too steep, there are some rocky exposed areas and steeper sections that I didn't want to traverse in wet conditions. Plus I wasn't sure how my hiking parter would handle going down a steeper slope, so I decided to go back the way we came.
In retrospect, it prob would have been ok taking Sandwich Mtn trail down, since the thunder did not materialize, but it did rain very hard for awhile, so it was nice to be mainly in the woods. Plus, the Drakes Brook trail is not rocky, making life easier. After the 20-30 min of downpours, it ended up being a nice walk thru the woods in light rain and drizzle. The brook had risen quite a bit since morning, and when I got home I checked the doppler radar estimates for rainfall in the area. It was around 6/10 on an inch, so I can see why. We arrived back at the car around 5:15...great hike, and hopefully I didn't scare my hiking parter off since the weather kind of stunk!
We took the scenic route to Rumney and got a bite to eat at the Stinson Grill. There were some nice views along the way....actually better than the views from the top. Oh well
Good hike! Haven't done a new 4k in awhile...hopefully next time! :-D
grouseking....pics http://grouseking.phanfare.com/album/339374#imageID=20913219
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