rhihn
New member
I don’t think the weather on Monday could have been any nicer for a winter hike! Four of us (‘Highonlife,’ ‘Valerie,'’ ‘Edelweiss,’ and I had designs on doing Big Slide, via the Garden. ‘Highonlife’ was on a high peaks mission, and by agreement, she forged on ahead of us slower folk (the word ‘superhuman’ comes to mind!). Meanwhile, this was to be ‘Edelweiss’s first winter high peak (my fifth). I’ve been up there twice before, (Edelweiss once, with cloudy, obscured views), both times in summer, via the Brothers. The trail was well packed and in excellent shape, with rocks and roots conveniently out of sight beneath our feet (as well as the ladder higher up). If the day was marred by anything, it was by the fact that one person before us had apparently post-holed all the way to the summit, creating some treacherous footing in a few places on the slightly icy brothers (snowshoes sufficed from car to summit).
The trail ascends immediately, and so immediately we went into lower gear. Spectacular views of the great range and the Johns Brook valley! We lingered along the way to rest, take pictures, and eat. At the summit/Yard/lodge trail junction we met up with Highonlife, descending. We said our good-byes and hope we might do something together in the future. At the summit, the temps were warm, winds mostly gentle, so we stayed there for some time, soaking in the rays and the incredible views. A group of four joined us, having hiked up from Johns Brook. We took pictures of each other’s group with a variety of cameras – quite a photo shoot! Edelweiss also took a brief panorama movie of the Great Range with her camera, so we’ll see how that comes out.
On the down, about 98% of the way to the Yard trail junction was butt-sliding – what a blast! Probably the safest way for us to do it. We opted to take the longer but gentler trail out via Johns Brook. Someone before us apparently had done that trail on skiis! There were more butt-sliding opportunities until the trail moderated. An uneventful, peaceful walk out to the Garden, with more photo ops. Still needed to keep any eye out for the post-holes.
I can’t say enough good things about Valerie, for her patience with our pace, and for her great company!
Pics to follow soon.
The trail ascends immediately, and so immediately we went into lower gear. Spectacular views of the great range and the Johns Brook valley! We lingered along the way to rest, take pictures, and eat. At the summit/Yard/lodge trail junction we met up with Highonlife, descending. We said our good-byes and hope we might do something together in the future. At the summit, the temps were warm, winds mostly gentle, so we stayed there for some time, soaking in the rays and the incredible views. A group of four joined us, having hiked up from Johns Brook. We took pictures of each other’s group with a variety of cameras – quite a photo shoot! Edelweiss also took a brief panorama movie of the Great Range with her camera, so we’ll see how that comes out.
On the down, about 98% of the way to the Yard trail junction was butt-sliding – what a blast! Probably the safest way for us to do it. We opted to take the longer but gentler trail out via Johns Brook. Someone before us apparently had done that trail on skiis! There were more butt-sliding opportunities until the trail moderated. An uneventful, peaceful walk out to the Garden, with more photo ops. Still needed to keep any eye out for the post-holes.
I can’t say enough good things about Valerie, for her patience with our pace, and for her great company!
Pics to follow soon.
