Oncoman
Active member
Day 1: North & South Horns/West pk/Avery
Left Montréal at 20h30 after our dancing lesson(1 hr of triple swing & samba is a real warm up for peakbagging let me tell you). Arrived at the Colburn Gore border at 23h00, a seldom used crossing point especially at such a late hour.
The 2 customs officers seemed uneasy with one hand close to their fire arm and so was I with both of mine clearly visible on my steering wheel; but then after a few nervous questions and answers we all relaxed. They proved to be very professional and gave me helpful advice for getting to my destination and wished me a happy stay in Maine.
As I accelerated off a deer crossed right in front of me and by slamming on the brakes I missed it by barely a few inches. Absolutely no one on Highway #27 to Stratton. Curious feeling of loneliness. And then I saw my first of 7 mooses that weekend. I slowed down and crossed in the other lane just in case. Arrived at the ME 27 AT trailhead parking at midnight as planned and slept in my car. Was off on the trail by 07h30.
After 5 min. I saw a horse galloping away on the AT scared off by my arrival. I know this is hard to believe but it really was a greyish horse with no saddle. I guess he was doing his morning stroll and that his owner, likely a nearby farmer, totally trusted him to find his way back. I have seen all sorts of animals in the woods (moose,fox,deer,porcupine,pine martin,bear,rabbit...) but a horse is a first for me.
The road towards the fire warden's trail was muddy but otherwise easy going. Blowdown & numerous small branches on the F.W. trail required care in the open forest sections in order not to lose the trail. Was on the Horns Pond trail by 09h30. The climb up the ridge was not too tiring, with minimal patches of ice and less than 1 ft of snow. Upon reaching the AT I checked out the frozen Horns Pond and then headed for North Horn.
Wow! What a superb view on that bare rock open summit on that nice clear sunny day, with the Flagstaff Lake to the north and the Crockers, Sugarloaf, Spaulding Mtns to the south. Don't miss it! It was also interesting to notice the contrast between the completely frozen Horns Pond and the unfrozen Statton Brook Pond lower down.
After my first rest of the day to take in all that gorgeous view, I raced off towards South Horn, a much less impressive peak, and then I headed for West Pk. The going on the ridge was slow and tiring since I had not brought along my snowshoes and I was frequently postholing. But the most dangerous and rough on the knees was dropping unexpectedly in snow covered 2 ft moose postholes. The final steeper ascent of the southern side of West Pk was however on bare rock. The fact that I saw a few moose flies or was it horse flies, plus the big white rabbit sticking out like a sore thumb on the trail earlier on, were sure signs that spring now has definitely arrived.
I finally made it up West Pk and again was rewarded with fantastic views. One more peak to go. Descending down the col and climbing up Avery was quick and easy. Knowing that this was my last summit view for the day, I took a good rest, ate and rehydrated before heading back via the F.W. trail.
The downhill return trip was relaxing and I was back to my car at 18h05, having met no one all day. I then drove off towards the Grafton Notch parking lot slaloming between the mooses. At first I didn't understand why oncoming vehicles were blinking their headlights madly at me, the local Maine driving code to worn you of mooses crossing the road; in Québec it is to warn you of highway patrols checking for speed violations. I arrived safe and sound at 20h15, took a hefty meal and was sound asleep by 21h00.
Day 2: West & East Baldpate
Started on the trail a little after 08h30. No other cars had arrived in the parking lot. The sky was all covered up with huge grey clouds. I therefore decided not to linger on the trails, suspecting that I would have no visibility on the summits today.
My dayhike began immediately with a steep ascension. Difficult for my digestion and my still half-awakened mind. I decided to skip the impressive view, as the sign said, on Table Rock, and rushed on. There was more and more ice patches on the trail as I climbed up. Nearing the final ascent up West Pk, the trail was now but a huge ice slide 1 to 2 ft thick with water running over it by spots. Totally impossible to continue on barebooting.
I therefore put on my crampons and was then able to easily climb up the remaining ¼ mile to the summit. As expected zero view. Being now on bare rock I removed my crampons and descended in the col and then up the long rock climb up East Pk. I greatly appreciated the fact that the Inukshuks (cairns) were closely spaced apart, particularly on the way down, since the fog was somewhat thick by now. Also it started to rain with by moments 30 mile wind gushes. Was I glad to have brought along my Gortech jacket.
After summiting East Pk, I took no rest and immediately turned back down. Nearing the West Pk summit I had the pleasant surprise of meeting another solo hiker. We briefly chatted but the foul weather pressed us on. I then reput my crampons on and raced down the 45°-60° ice slopes down West. What a diabolical ride!
The downhill thereafter was easy. The rain had stopped, though there was intermittent thundering. Nearing the highway, about 20 min. from the parking, I had another surprise awaiting me, when I encountered a family of 5 lightly dressed with T-shirts and running shoes, likely heading for Table Rock, with no rain gear,pack, food or water. I must have appeared quite out of place to their eyes with my Goretech still on, crampons around my neck and my big backpack. I must admit that I was by now dressed way too warmly, but I preferred to sweat it out instead of wasting time. My prominition proved to be right since barely 5 min. after arriving to my car a heavy downpour started. I know a family who must have arrived to their car quite wet and cold. Hard outdoors lesson for them.
It was only 13h00 as I drove off, such that I momentarily thought of doing another peak that day, but the hard rain convinced me otherwise. All things considered this was a very agreeable 2 days of hiking with 4 more peaks towards my NEHH.
Left Montréal at 20h30 after our dancing lesson(1 hr of triple swing & samba is a real warm up for peakbagging let me tell you). Arrived at the Colburn Gore border at 23h00, a seldom used crossing point especially at such a late hour.
The 2 customs officers seemed uneasy with one hand close to their fire arm and so was I with both of mine clearly visible on my steering wheel; but then after a few nervous questions and answers we all relaxed. They proved to be very professional and gave me helpful advice for getting to my destination and wished me a happy stay in Maine.
As I accelerated off a deer crossed right in front of me and by slamming on the brakes I missed it by barely a few inches. Absolutely no one on Highway #27 to Stratton. Curious feeling of loneliness. And then I saw my first of 7 mooses that weekend. I slowed down and crossed in the other lane just in case. Arrived at the ME 27 AT trailhead parking at midnight as planned and slept in my car. Was off on the trail by 07h30.
After 5 min. I saw a horse galloping away on the AT scared off by my arrival. I know this is hard to believe but it really was a greyish horse with no saddle. I guess he was doing his morning stroll and that his owner, likely a nearby farmer, totally trusted him to find his way back. I have seen all sorts of animals in the woods (moose,fox,deer,porcupine,pine martin,bear,rabbit...) but a horse is a first for me.
The road towards the fire warden's trail was muddy but otherwise easy going. Blowdown & numerous small branches on the F.W. trail required care in the open forest sections in order not to lose the trail. Was on the Horns Pond trail by 09h30. The climb up the ridge was not too tiring, with minimal patches of ice and less than 1 ft of snow. Upon reaching the AT I checked out the frozen Horns Pond and then headed for North Horn.
Wow! What a superb view on that bare rock open summit on that nice clear sunny day, with the Flagstaff Lake to the north and the Crockers, Sugarloaf, Spaulding Mtns to the south. Don't miss it! It was also interesting to notice the contrast between the completely frozen Horns Pond and the unfrozen Statton Brook Pond lower down.
After my first rest of the day to take in all that gorgeous view, I raced off towards South Horn, a much less impressive peak, and then I headed for West Pk. The going on the ridge was slow and tiring since I had not brought along my snowshoes and I was frequently postholing. But the most dangerous and rough on the knees was dropping unexpectedly in snow covered 2 ft moose postholes. The final steeper ascent of the southern side of West Pk was however on bare rock. The fact that I saw a few moose flies or was it horse flies, plus the big white rabbit sticking out like a sore thumb on the trail earlier on, were sure signs that spring now has definitely arrived.
I finally made it up West Pk and again was rewarded with fantastic views. One more peak to go. Descending down the col and climbing up Avery was quick and easy. Knowing that this was my last summit view for the day, I took a good rest, ate and rehydrated before heading back via the F.W. trail.
The downhill return trip was relaxing and I was back to my car at 18h05, having met no one all day. I then drove off towards the Grafton Notch parking lot slaloming between the mooses. At first I didn't understand why oncoming vehicles were blinking their headlights madly at me, the local Maine driving code to worn you of mooses crossing the road; in Québec it is to warn you of highway patrols checking for speed violations. I arrived safe and sound at 20h15, took a hefty meal and was sound asleep by 21h00.
Day 2: West & East Baldpate
Started on the trail a little after 08h30. No other cars had arrived in the parking lot. The sky was all covered up with huge grey clouds. I therefore decided not to linger on the trails, suspecting that I would have no visibility on the summits today.
My dayhike began immediately with a steep ascension. Difficult for my digestion and my still half-awakened mind. I decided to skip the impressive view, as the sign said, on Table Rock, and rushed on. There was more and more ice patches on the trail as I climbed up. Nearing the final ascent up West Pk, the trail was now but a huge ice slide 1 to 2 ft thick with water running over it by spots. Totally impossible to continue on barebooting.
I therefore put on my crampons and was then able to easily climb up the remaining ¼ mile to the summit. As expected zero view. Being now on bare rock I removed my crampons and descended in the col and then up the long rock climb up East Pk. I greatly appreciated the fact that the Inukshuks (cairns) were closely spaced apart, particularly on the way down, since the fog was somewhat thick by now. Also it started to rain with by moments 30 mile wind gushes. Was I glad to have brought along my Gortech jacket.
After summiting East Pk, I took no rest and immediately turned back down. Nearing the West Pk summit I had the pleasant surprise of meeting another solo hiker. We briefly chatted but the foul weather pressed us on. I then reput my crampons on and raced down the 45°-60° ice slopes down West. What a diabolical ride!
The downhill thereafter was easy. The rain had stopped, though there was intermittent thundering. Nearing the highway, about 20 min. from the parking, I had another surprise awaiting me, when I encountered a family of 5 lightly dressed with T-shirts and running shoes, likely heading for Table Rock, with no rain gear,pack, food or water. I must have appeared quite out of place to their eyes with my Goretech still on, crampons around my neck and my big backpack. I must admit that I was by now dressed way too warmly, but I preferred to sweat it out instead of wasting time. My prominition proved to be right since barely 5 min. after arriving to my car a heavy downpour started. I know a family who must have arrived to their car quite wet and cold. Hard outdoors lesson for them.
It was only 13h00 as I drove off, such that I momentarily thought of doing another peak that day, but the hard rain convinced me otherwise. All things considered this was a very agreeable 2 days of hiking with 4 more peaks towards my NEHH.
Last edited:
