the starchild
New member
Adams and Star Lake
Sept. 17-19, 2005 (a bit late
)
Photos at http://community.webshots.com/album/460887508wxIvzk
We awoke on the side of the road as a foggy morning greeted us ouside the open sliding door of the van. We had a long, late drive and a good sleep; time to get going! A few minutes down the road we saw a spectacular view of Franconia Ridge rising above the undercast. Sweeeeeeeeet!
After lots of last minute stops and shopping we parked at Appalachia and we began hiking towards the Randolph Path and the Perch. Although it never actually rained, all views were lost in the clouds. We arrived at the Perch, set up our pads and bags and started hiking up towards treeline. Once above the tress It cleared a bit, revealing an undercast and a dramatic sky as the sun sunk lower. Soon the sky really cleared and we sat and watched the sunset show. We returned to the shelter by headlamp...no worries.
The next morning it was still completely fogged in AND we had actual rain. We packed up assuming we were missing some fine views and hiked to Crag Camp via Knob Cabin checking everything out as it was our first trip to the northern Presis. The rain subsided as we hiked along the trail.
Arriving at Crag Camp we were told we had just missed some beautiful views into King Ravine; we saw foggy clouds....nuttin’ else. After setting up in one of the bunkrooms we started up the Spur Trail to Adams in some cool fog. Views didn’t exist, but it was a nice hike. The summit was windy and after finding a spot out of the wind we watched blue sky appear and dissappear over us as a foggy view of the summit of Madison did the same trick. We even saw part of Washington, but not for long. Eventually the wind grew stronger and the temp dropped so we decided to head back down. Once back in the wind it was much stronger and colder. We had the cold, wet wind in our faces until we descended back into the forest. We arrived back at Crag Camp and were very happy to change into dry clothes.
Sometime around midnight I awoke and thought I saw shadows outside my window from someone’s headlamp returning from the privy. I soon realized it was the moon. Yep, it was super clear outside with the stars shinning brightly. I put on my down vest and ran out to the common room and looked out the window. My first views of Madison and King Ravine by moonlight were magic. Really cool. Really clear. Small whispy clouds were slowly passing through. I woke Justin up to check the view fearing monday might be all foggy again.
Monday morning was beautiful though as clouds passed by us in a mostly sunny sky. Justin wasn’t feeling well so we decided to take different routes back to the van. He wanted to just hang at the cabin before heading down; but the mountains were calling me! The hike up to Adams and my time on the summit were absolutely amazing, one of my most spectacular experiences in the whites. I watched clouds, near and far, floating at eye level, sometimes heading directly at me and enveloping me in thick, quiet fog. Minutes later i was under sunny blue skies again with endless views. This happened again and again as i starred down to Star Lake with clouds blowing by between us. I had not seen another soul since leaving the cabin except for a tiny, moving red dot far down on the Star Lake Trail near the tairn.
Eventually I found myself in a cloud for a long time. I decided to hike down the Star Lake Trail to avoid the winds from the west and hopefully get under the clouds. I have also dreamed of visiting the tairn for a long time and wanted to get closer. Soon I was looking up at the ridge and watching clouds quickly fly over as I hiked towards a sunny Star Lake in warm, calm air. What a difference from the summit!
The trail was beautiful. The red dot turned out to be a cyclist touring the US who was out for a hike. I really enjoyed all the shades of green along the way. All exceptionally beautiful. The ripples on the water of Star Lake, the colorful grass, the fast moving clouds; and still no other people!
I refilled my camelback at the hut as the croo cleaned and packed up for the season. I thought about hiking up Madison but decided to save it for next time as I didn’t wanna just rush up there. I did make really good time down the Valley Way trail, stopping by the tentsite (which has a great view) and also taking the waterfall spur trails at towards the bottom.
I had a great first time in the northern presi’s and loved the weather. The massive lunar-like area above treeline and all of the solitary time spent in and out, above and below the clouds was spectacular. I am looking forward to returning soon and exploring more of this area.
ohh yeah, i almost forgot, Crag Camp is awful, don’t go there
Sept. 17-19, 2005 (a bit late
)Photos at http://community.webshots.com/album/460887508wxIvzk
We awoke on the side of the road as a foggy morning greeted us ouside the open sliding door of the van. We had a long, late drive and a good sleep; time to get going! A few minutes down the road we saw a spectacular view of Franconia Ridge rising above the undercast. Sweeeeeeeeet!
After lots of last minute stops and shopping we parked at Appalachia and we began hiking towards the Randolph Path and the Perch. Although it never actually rained, all views were lost in the clouds. We arrived at the Perch, set up our pads and bags and started hiking up towards treeline. Once above the tress It cleared a bit, revealing an undercast and a dramatic sky as the sun sunk lower. Soon the sky really cleared and we sat and watched the sunset show. We returned to the shelter by headlamp...no worries.
The next morning it was still completely fogged in AND we had actual rain.
We packed up assuming we were missing some fine views and hiked to Crag Camp via Knob Cabin checking everything out as it was our first trip to the northern Presis. The rain subsided as we hiked along the trail.Arriving at Crag Camp we were told we had just missed some beautiful views into King Ravine; we saw foggy clouds....nuttin’ else. After setting up in one of the bunkrooms we started up the Spur Trail to Adams in some cool fog. Views didn’t exist, but it was a nice hike. The summit was windy and after finding a spot out of the wind we watched blue sky appear and dissappear over us as a foggy view of the summit of Madison did the same trick. We even saw part of Washington, but not for long. Eventually the wind grew stronger and the temp dropped so we decided to head back down. Once back in the wind it was much stronger and colder. We had the cold, wet wind in our faces until we descended back into the forest. We arrived back at Crag Camp and were very happy to change into dry clothes.
Sometime around midnight I awoke and thought I saw shadows outside my window from someone’s headlamp returning from the privy. I soon realized it was the moon. Yep, it was super clear outside with the stars shinning brightly. I put on my down vest and ran out to the common room and looked out the window. My first views of Madison and King Ravine by moonlight were magic. Really cool. Really clear. Small whispy clouds were slowly passing through. I woke Justin up to check the view fearing monday might be all foggy again.
Monday morning was beautiful though as clouds passed by us in a mostly sunny sky. Justin wasn’t feeling well so we decided to take different routes back to the van. He wanted to just hang at the cabin before heading down; but the mountains were calling me! The hike up to Adams and my time on the summit were absolutely amazing, one of my most spectacular experiences in the whites. I watched clouds, near and far, floating at eye level, sometimes heading directly at me and enveloping me in thick, quiet fog. Minutes later i was under sunny blue skies again with endless views. This happened again and again as i starred down to Star Lake with clouds blowing by between us. I had not seen another soul since leaving the cabin except for a tiny, moving red dot far down on the Star Lake Trail near the tairn.
Eventually I found myself in a cloud for a long time. I decided to hike down the Star Lake Trail to avoid the winds from the west and hopefully get under the clouds. I have also dreamed of visiting the tairn for a long time and wanted to get closer. Soon I was looking up at the ridge and watching clouds quickly fly over as I hiked towards a sunny Star Lake in warm, calm air. What a difference from the summit!
The trail was beautiful. The red dot turned out to be a cyclist touring the US who was out for a hike. I really enjoyed all the shades of green along the way. All exceptionally beautiful. The ripples on the water of Star Lake, the colorful grass, the fast moving clouds; and still no other people!
I refilled my camelback at the hut as the croo cleaned and packed up for the season. I thought about hiking up Madison but decided to save it for next time as I didn’t wanna just rush up there. I did make really good time down the Valley Way trail, stopping by the tentsite (which has a great view) and also taking the waterfall spur trails at towards the bottom.
I had a great first time in the northern presi’s and loved the weather. The massive lunar-like area above treeline and all of the solitary time spent in and out, above and below the clouds was spectacular. I am looking forward to returning soon and exploring more of this area.
ohh yeah, i almost forgot, Crag Camp is awful, don’t go there
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