grouseking
Well-known member
How can I sum up yesterdays hike? Well I can't, so I'll write a report. Me and Mattl took my sister Colleen, and our friends Mike and Leslie up to Zeacliff for what turned out to be one of the most fantastic foliage days I'll ever remember. Those three had never taken a steep and strenuous hike before, but they all did awesome. Better than me actually, because as usual I got next to no sleep the night before.
The Zealand rain forest was its usual beautiful self, and its usual wet self. The only downside to the hike was the slippery rocks which made footing tough here and there. By the time we reached the beaver ponds, I could tell that Leslie was blown away by the beauty of the area. To add to it, all the maples had turned to a vibrant red, making for many photo ops. We reached the hut in about 1 hr 10 min, a little under book time I think. All were enjoying themselves. I was quite weary and mentally drained from the lack of sleep the night before. Stupid lumpy beds! I told the rest to keep going and I'd catch up with them later. So I hung out at the hut for a few minutes longer, and took in the scenery. I've been there like 6 times, but it never gets old.
Now it was time to get going. I was surprised but it didn't take long to catch up with everyone. By now I was feeling the steeps and we all just took it slow heading up. That section of the Twinway has a beautiful area of birches. Finally we emerged into the spruce/fir zone and came to the junction for the view. I'm pretty sure that all were blown away by what is in my opinion, the best view in the White Mountains. (I haven't done the Bonds yet) We hung out up there for about 90 minutes, and met Robert Kozlow, the man who did the covers of the last couple White Mtn guides. He took our pictures and is sending them to us at some point. I think I met a fellow VFFT'er named Pamola up there as well. We chatted for a little bit. Its always cool to meet others who are on the website.
When it was time to go, I told the others I was going to head to Zeacliff Pond to get a few shots and that I'd meet them at the hut. So off I went, reaching the pond about 15-20 min later. I had been once before, but it was much more beautiful this time, probably because the sun was out and the air was so still. It was completely peaceful, and I was alone. The little excursion was definitely the highlight of my day. I couldn't stay long so after a few minutes I headed out. Along the Twinway I saw two spruce grouse, about 2 minutes apart! They always scare my when they helicopter themselves away! I contemplated a quick stop at Zeacliff for a last hurrah, but it was time to go. So off I went down the hill, reaching the hut in about half an hour, pretty good time considering my legs were beginning to spasm.
I hung out at the hut for a few minutes, dunked my head in the river and then walked down to Zealand Pond where Matty was fishing and everyone else was hanging out. He caught 5 wild brookies, one was 11 inches long! And its not even an official trout pond.....
By now most were ready to head back, as homework was calling for all the ones still in college
. I wished I could have stayed the night though because the way the sun was hitting the leaves was simply the most beautiful colors I have ever seen. It was magic, no other way to describe it. Matt and I took photos of everything while the rest motored out. We caught up to them and hit the trailhead at the same time. I think that everyone will remember this hike for the rest of their lives, especially the non hikers! No 4ks today, or this weekend, but who cares? I will finish them up someday, but its not about the list, its about the beauty and how I feel when I am up there. Its also about sharing that beauty with others who may not always get to see it. Most college kids would sleep till noon or later on Sunday morning, but we had them out there doing something truely awe inspiring. I hope we all go again sometime. Here are the pictures from the hike. Zeacliff and Beautiful Foliage
Hope you all enjoy them
grouseking
The Zealand rain forest was its usual beautiful self, and its usual wet self. The only downside to the hike was the slippery rocks which made footing tough here and there. By the time we reached the beaver ponds, I could tell that Leslie was blown away by the beauty of the area. To add to it, all the maples had turned to a vibrant red, making for many photo ops. We reached the hut in about 1 hr 10 min, a little under book time I think. All were enjoying themselves. I was quite weary and mentally drained from the lack of sleep the night before. Stupid lumpy beds! I told the rest to keep going and I'd catch up with them later. So I hung out at the hut for a few minutes longer, and took in the scenery. I've been there like 6 times, but it never gets old.
Now it was time to get going. I was surprised but it didn't take long to catch up with everyone. By now I was feeling the steeps and we all just took it slow heading up. That section of the Twinway has a beautiful area of birches. Finally we emerged into the spruce/fir zone and came to the junction for the view. I'm pretty sure that all were blown away by what is in my opinion, the best view in the White Mountains. (I haven't done the Bonds yet) We hung out up there for about 90 minutes, and met Robert Kozlow, the man who did the covers of the last couple White Mtn guides. He took our pictures and is sending them to us at some point. I think I met a fellow VFFT'er named Pamola up there as well. We chatted for a little bit. Its always cool to meet others who are on the website.
When it was time to go, I told the others I was going to head to Zeacliff Pond to get a few shots and that I'd meet them at the hut. So off I went, reaching the pond about 15-20 min later. I had been once before, but it was much more beautiful this time, probably because the sun was out and the air was so still. It was completely peaceful, and I was alone. The little excursion was definitely the highlight of my day. I couldn't stay long so after a few minutes I headed out. Along the Twinway I saw two spruce grouse, about 2 minutes apart! They always scare my when they helicopter themselves away! I contemplated a quick stop at Zeacliff for a last hurrah, but it was time to go. So off I went down the hill, reaching the hut in about half an hour, pretty good time considering my legs were beginning to spasm.
I hung out at the hut for a few minutes, dunked my head in the river and then walked down to Zealand Pond where Matty was fishing and everyone else was hanging out. He caught 5 wild brookies, one was 11 inches long! And its not even an official trout pond.....
By now most were ready to head back, as homework was calling for all the ones still in college
. I wished I could have stayed the night though because the way the sun was hitting the leaves was simply the most beautiful colors I have ever seen. It was magic, no other way to describe it. Matt and I took photos of everything while the rest motored out. We caught up to them and hit the trailhead at the same time. I think that everyone will remember this hike for the rest of their lives, especially the non hikers! No 4ks today, or this weekend, but who cares? I will finish them up someday, but its not about the list, its about the beauty and how I feel when I am up there. Its also about sharing that beauty with others who may not always get to see it. Most college kids would sleep till noon or later on Sunday morning, but we had them out there doing something truely awe inspiring. I hope we all go again sometime. Here are the pictures from the hike. Zeacliff and Beautiful FoliageHope you all enjoy them
grouseking
