AWFUL Ice Gulch in April!!!!

[Becca M]

April 7, 2012: The Ice Gulch. Looped counter-clockwise up Ice Gulch Path, the falls loop, and Cook’s Path.

Basically, I wouldn’t recommend this loop in April. Especially in this low-snow year, I was amazed how much snow there was there, just below 2000’. Semi-solid snow filled in the big gaps on top of deep holes. Not a good place to be. Doesn’t look that bad in the pictures, but, after a while in the middle of the gulch, it just wasn’t fun. I wasn’t sure if going back would be safer or maybe I was closer to the top/north end of the gulch.

I hope you enjoy the pictures – they make it look so pretty. It was pretty… for a short while….


The loop followed these falls – I wonder why that sign says, “Winter’s Home” – maybe because the snow never melts? “Always winter, never Christmas?”

Looks like maybe remnants of Hurricane Irene damage in the falls area?

One of the first gaps – kind of pretty!

Looking into the Ice Gulch:

Looking backwards (south):

One of the countless big gaping holes – many were deeper than I am tall!!!

A better look at the snow depth – it isn’t solid, by the way!!! You can barely make out my footprints to the left. I tested EVERY step!!!

Yeah! I’m done with Ice Gulch. The animals obviously avoided the gulch (no footprints in it) but above was a regular wildlife superhighway. Lots of footprints. Why is there such a large spray of blood near these moose tracks? It’s not from postholing since the footprints were so shallow. Any ideas?

One last look at the views from Cook’s Path on the way out – looking out one of the MANY logging roads in the area.

WHEW – I’m outta there!!!

 

[Jason Berard]

Could the blood be from winter ticks?

 

[erugs]

So much nicer in August when snow and ice seem like a novelty.

 

[sardog1]

Could the blood be from winter ticks?

That was my first thought. I've seen similar sign in that situation.

 

[Red Oak]

Nice job Becca! Also, late congrats on your grid finish...awsome stuff there....Ice gulch,mahoosics and some area around jefferson seem to have some of the last snow.I met you two years ago on south twin and we hiked part of the way out together to 7 dwarfs.Lots of snow that winter compared to this recent past travesty of nature.Hope you get some more red lining done this summer...sasha

 

[Becca M]

Thanks all for the info!!!

winter ticks? sounds reasonable!!! I should also add that there was a faint trail of blood as well - a drip every foot(?)-ish. Should I have seen dead ticks in the large splatter area? I didn't see any but I did look!!!

I have to go back *ANYWAY* b/c I had to bushwhack some of the worst sections. Late summer will be a better choice!!!


HI Sasha!!!

 

[Jazzbo]

I saw similar sort of moose sign but much bigger

Thanks all for the info!!!

winter ticks? sounds reasonable!!! I should also add that there was a faint trail of blood as well - a drip every foot(?)-ish. Should I have seen dead ticks in the large splatter area? I didn't see any but I did look!!!

I have to go back *ANYWAY* b/c I had to bushwhack some of the worst sections. Late summer will be a better choice!!!


HI Sasha!!!

I saw similar sort of moose sign but much bigger on summit ridge of Cherry Mountain last weekend. This is a bedding in snow. I think it is urination. Your pics are probably spatters of urine. I've seen red urination sites likde this before. I have no idea why it is red.

 

[Becca M]

Jazzbo - good picture!!!

Unless they are eating something red, I would guess blood in the urine? That's pretty scary!!!!!!

[edited and added]: Anybody know who to contact to ask about the blood? Would NH F&G be appropriate? UNH?

 

[Jazzbo]

Jazzbo - good picture!!!

Unless they are eating something red, I would guess blood in the urine? That's pretty scary!!!!!!

Sounds gross, but perhaps humanoid mammals are not only ones with menstrual cycle bleeding?

http://bolt.lakeheadu.ca/~alceswww/Vol28/Alces28_165.pdf

According to this scientific article non-breeding moose may undergo as many as 6 estrous cycles ending in late March. I think that might be the explanation here.

 

[peakbagger]

Hi Becca, Congratulations for surviving, the gulch is a dangerous place to be (especially solo) when there is snow cover as it melts from underneath and there are some significant crevasses that would require assistance to get out of.

Its definitely a place to revisit at the right time of year. I usually recommend it on a hot hazy day in August when climbing a summit is rather pointless due to no views. On humid day, the gulch is naturally air conditioned. There is usually quite a stratifciation in temps and a cloud bank can form as you enter the gulch. Contrary to the recomendations, I recomend the clockwise hike starting at the top of the notch and heading down (and quite a few other veterans agree). If you do this direction, plan on some controlled butt sliding. Its nice to end the day at the three springs that arise within a 40 foot stretch of trail (near "out direct"), The other trick is to go earlier in the day when the sun aligns with the gulch.

Not sure if you have seen this brochure but it describes some of the natural features of the gulch. http://www.nhdfl.org/library/pdf/Natural Heritage/icegulch.pdf

I use the gulch as a shakedown hike for Mahoosuc Ravine, if someone likes the gulch they will like Mahoosuc ravine, if they dont like the gulch they will really hate the ravine.

 

[Andrew]

I wonder why that sign says, “Winter’s Home” – maybe because the snow never melts?

Looks like maybe remnants of Hurricane Irene damage in the falls area?

Peboamauk supposedly = native american "Winter's Home".

Those trees tipped over well before Irene.

I wandered up to the foot of the gulch by accident a few weeks ago during "The Warming", and I was already getting beaten back by the snow as I tried to follow Peboamauk Loop as far as Fairy Spring. Although as soon as you popped out of the deep brook valley there was zero snow. Looking up towards the Crescents from Jimtown I have seen the snow increase at times over the couple of weeks since I was up there.