BM Dry Town and Peaked (another one)-ME

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buckyball1

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Orrington, ME
after the welcome break to climb Little Bigelow Monday...today was back to more serious pursuits...

I left Orrington around 2AM for Ashland and another trip into North Maine Woods -most hikes these days are long drives and planning/figuring out how to get near the peak is often as hard as the hike(or so it seems). Early start, because it was 150 miles one way to Ashland and I knew i'd put on at least 150 more dirt road miles in NMW. Consequently I need "stuff" to keep me awake/my mind occupied. As I headed north on Rt 95 to Exit 286 in the inky black and turned toward Smyrna Mills, i constantly scanned the road for "cows on stilts"-hit one, forget it. I was amused by an ad on a NYC talk radio station for a golf course on Long Island which promoted "carts with GPS"-yikes. The Bakers are one thing, a golf course...?

I stopped at 4 AM in the Irving at Smyrna Mills and the manager said "oh, bet you're the guy who called". I had phoned yesterday to see what time they opened (4AM) and she said "i'll be in at 2AM working on stock, so if you're here at 3, just knock on the window and i'll turn the pumps on"--Aroostook County-another world, always treats me very well. I passed through Masardis, then Ashland and in the American Realty Road (dirt of course); registered at 6 Mile gate. I had talked to Seven Islands (one of the timber management companies for the area) and knew there was no logging at all going on -mud season-good as i'd not have to worry about being run off the road by a logging truck (you'd be amazed) and bad because the always remote place would be totally void of people today. I headed in the Realty (pronounced "reality" by most)

BM Dry Town-2010'-I've been dreading this hike for a long time-could find nothing about the peak regardless to whom i spoke to. It is absolutely "nowhere"-check Delorme page 62-it's that bump SE of the "S" in "TR13 R10 WELS"-no joke. My planned hike point (i had 2 possible approaches planned) was about 28 miles in past 6 Mile Gate. This one took lots of planning using sat pics and hoping the older, unused logging roads were passable. I took Realty Rd to Big Machias Lake, swung north on 20 Mile Brook and finally threaded my way for about 6 miles on unmarked old log roads-some spots very iffy.

Three years ago, i'd never have attempted these roads, but now...am sure i'm a breakdown waiting to happen, but...The last few miles of road were "built up" in wet areas- one slide and into a deep ditch you go. About 4 miles from my "park" spot-good size hardwood across the road-had the chainsaw-saved my butt. I was able to reach my spot and started hiking 5 hours after i left home. You never know, but i felt i had already "solved" this one by getting close to it. I hit a lot of remote places, but this one screamed "you are alone"-both cool and scary

The hike itself was fun, no issues of note. A quick steep pitch though open hardwoods to start, then a long stretch of PUDs where compass, GPS or good sense of sun position was a must as there was little sense of up/down/summit direction. There was the obligatory 0.15 miles stretch of steep thick evergreens and then fairly open woods to a rolling top. I think BM Dry Town stands for "Bench Mark" and you can see it on some topos. I really wanted to find a disk, iron post or metal sign saying "bench mark was nearby" (as i did near Allagash last year), but a long, thorough search yielded no sign of anything or any human trace. This is the most time i spent looking since a fruitless 90 minute search last year on Jo Mary and i was bummed. I am guessing this was a point for a map survey, but know little re this stuff. Maybe Roy or Richard can help me out? If there was a disk it would be buried under inches of "duff" covering the area.--quick descent, 28 long miles back to the gate (saw nobody) and swing down Pinkham Rd toward

Peaked-2136'-this is NOT the "Peaked" near "Round" just off the Jack Mt road which a few of you have climbed (RS, PB S, others?), but another "Peaked" about 15 miles further in. Follow Pinkham to Jack Mt Rd, turn right, stay on Jack Mt road to just past Elbow Mt and turn onto Peaked Mt Pond Rd. There are huge piles of logs on these roads waiting to be transported-the thaw was so early this year that they didn't get the wood out. I could envision a tilting pile tumbling onto the road and then what good would that chainsaw do? :)

I turned down some side roads toward and around Upper Island Pond.There were mud bogs and beaver work on the road, but i managed to get through-barely- and parked a bit east of the mountain. I surveyed my planned route and thought-open and easy low down, bear up top, maybe cliffs and thick evergreen--sooo right- and so typical of many peaks in this region. Easy going on old overgrown logging roads down low save for tenacious brambles which added 25% to the drag factor. Then it got real steep, very thick and filled with blowdown the last 0.3 miles-plus some small cliffs. Lots of sideways slabbing to try to make upward progress. I was starting to "bonk " near the top (unusual for me)-too many hikes, too little recovery time, too little sleep and too old :). I managed to plow the last 200 yards and wala, there was a nice open SW view rock/ledge that was the top--really unexpected. I ate a bunch of sugar/carbs, drank a lot of water and lay in the sun, The descent was much easier as i feel you can usually "see" much better going down steep, thick terrain and you have gravity--butt slid 20-30' a few places -also unusual for me.

When i reached the car, i just reveled in the sun for a bit. This is a cool place which almost no hikers/climbers visit--way too far away, no 3ks (but some decent top to bottom height as they are prominence peaks and NO people-- wild, empty and lonely if you like that.

superb, rewarding day and 2 "worrisome" peaks crossed off my list.

jim
 
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Here's the link for the datasheet for the DRYTOWN survey marker: RF0745 - DRYTOWN

Reading from the datasheet, the disk was set in 1960 and there are two reference marks (disks with arrows pointing to the main disk) nearby. The reference marks are 27.334 and 19.175 meters from the station, so they are quire a ways back.

I would say it's findable if you had a good signal on your GPS and a metal detector, as I did when I found the one on Peaked. It would be important to put the coordinates from the datasheet (from the link above) into your GPS.

Here's a map: DRYTOWN Map

Note that there is another marker on the ridge to the east "BIG BROOK". Maybe you walked over it on the way. Here's the link for that one: RF0746 - BIG BROOK

Here's the description for DRYTOWN from the datasheet.

DESCRIBED BY COAST AND GEODETIC SURVEY 1960 (HRL)

STATION IS LOCATED ABOUT 23 MILES WEST OF PORTAGE, ON THE HIGHEST POINT OF THE RIDGE BETWEEN THE SOUTH BRANCH FOX BROOK AND RIGHT FORK TWENTYMILE BROOK. IT IS ABOUT 2-1/2 MILES NORTH AND 1/2 MILE WEST OF THE SOUTHEAST CORNER OF T.13 N., R.10 W. WHICH IS KNOWN AS DRYTOWN. IT IS 33 FEET NORTHEAST OF A 10 INCH MAPLE TREE THAT HAS A METAL WITNESS SIGN NAILED TO IT AND AT THE END OF A WOODS ROAD. STATION, A STANDARD DISK STAMPED DRYTOWN 1960 IS CEMENTED IN A DRILLHOLE IN OUTCROPPING BEDROCK THAT IS FLUSH WITH THE GROUND.

TO REACH THE STATION FROM ASHLAND, GO WEST ON STATE HIGHWAY 11 FOR 0.7 MILE TO A T-ROAD INTERSECTION AT THE WEST END OF THE AROOSTOOK RIVER BRIDGE, TURN LEFT, SOUTHWEST ON TO A PAVED ROAD AND GO 0.6 MILE TO FORKS, TAKE RIGHT FORK AND GO WESTERLY ON GRAVELED ROAD FOR 16.2 MILE TO FORKS, TAKE RIGHT FORK AND GO WESTERLY FOR 5.8 MILES TO FORKS, TAKE RIGHT FORK AND WESTERLY FOR 5.5 MILES TO FORKS, TAKE RIGHT FORK NORTHERLY FOR 0.75 MILE TO A BRIDGE, CROSS BRIDGE AND TURN LEFT, WEST FOR 2.85 MILE TO AN OLD SAWMILL ON THE LEFT, CONTINUE AHEAD NORTHWEST ON MAIN TRAVELED ROAD FOR 3.5 MILES TO AN OLD SAWMILL ON THE RIGHT, CONTINUE AHEAD FOR 0.75 MILE TO FORKS, TAKE RIGHT FORK, CROSSING STREAM AND GO NORTH FOR 1.65 MILES TO A SAWMILL ON THE RIGHT, TURN RIGHT PAST SAWMILL AND GO EASTERLY FOR 1.4 MILES ON A WOODS ROAD TO THE END OF TRUCK TRAVEL, FROM HERE PACK NORTHEAST UP HILL TO STATION AS DESCRIBED.

REFERENCE MARK NO. 1 IS A STANDARD DISK BRAZED TO THE TOP OF A 2 1/2X31 INCH CAST IRON PIPE THAT IS SET IN CONCRETE AND PROJECTS 8 INCHES ABOVE THE GROUND. IT IS 26 FEET SOUTH OF AN 8 INCH FIR TREE, 14 FEET WEST OF A 6 INCH FIR TREE AND ON THE WEST SLOPE OF THE HILL AT THE SOUTH EDGE OF THE WOODS ROAD. THE DISK IS STAMPED DRYTOWN NO 1 1960.

REFERENCE MARK NO. 2 IS A STANDARD DISK BRAZED TO THE TOP OF A 2 1/2X31 INCH CAST IRON PIPE THAT IS SET IN CONCRETE AND PROJECTS 16 INCHES ABOVE THE GROUND. IT IS 15 FEET NORTHWEST OF A 12 INCH PINE TREE AND 12 FEET NORTH OF A 6 INCH FIR TREE. THE DISK IS STAMPED DRYTOWN NO 2 1960.

HEIGHT OF LIGHT ABOVE STATION MARK 27 METERS.


Here's the description for BIG BROOK. This one was set in 1930 by the USGS (a different agency). Interestingly, in 1930 this must have been a much tougher trip, since the survey party took 2 days and went part way by boat. Not many roads there in 1930. You could probably find this one too if the "rocky pinnacle" were obvious.


DESCRIBED BY US GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 1930

TIMBERED RIDGE ABOUT 23 MI DUE W. FROM PORTAGE, IN T. 13, R. 10, AT HEADWATERS OF TWENTY MILE BROOK, FOX BROOK, AND BIG BROOK ON W. IT IS PROBABLY THE HIGHEST RIDGE IN VICINITY. STATION IS AT EXTREME NE. END OF RIDGE ON SMALL ROCKY PINNACLE.

TIMBER WAS PARTIALLY CLEARED GIVING AN EXCELLENT VIEW FROM DEBOULLIE AROUND THROUGH E. AND S. TO CLEAR LAKE TOWER. HEAVY TIMBER CUTS OFF SW. AND W. AND NW. A 40-FT TOWER ON HIGHEST PART OF MTN. WOULD PROBABLY GIVE A COMMANDING VIEW IN EVERY DIRECTION. IT IS A TWO-DAY TRIP FROM PORTAGE, GOING FIRST TO HAYSHED ON FISH RIVER BY MOTORBOAT THENCE 11.0 MI OVER TOTE RD. TO DEPOT CAMP OF PORTAGE LUMBER CO. ON FISH LAKE WERE ACCOMODATIONS MAY BE HAD. THENCE 13.0 MI BY TOTE RD. TO CAMP OF PORTAGE LUMBER CO. KNOWN AS DENIS BOUCHER CAMP. A GUIDE IS NEEDED AND A TEAM MIGHT POSSIBLY BE OBTAINED AT DEPOT CAMP. FROM DENIS BOUCHER CAMP FOLLOW LOG HAULING RD. UP 20 MI BROOK FOR ABOUT 40 MINUTES, THERE TAKING RIGHT-HAND FORK, 5 MINUTES FARTHER TAKE ANOTHER RIGHT-HAND FORK CLIMBING HILL- CONTINUE FOR 20 MINUTES THEN TURN LEFT AND CLIMB MTN.

STATION MARK- A STANDARD DISK IN SOFT ROCK LEDGE ON HIGHEST PINNACLE.
 
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PB--thanks--

i certainly can't match the datasheet directions to anything i see today in Delorme or on the sat pics--maybe with more work, but...i had talked to a few locals last year and they did mention old sawmill(s) up in there, but i saw none the way i came in--this old description could be my second choice of routes leaving 20 Mile Brook Rd just north of BM 1635.0--but who knows--didn't use this one or even explore it-there is a "woods road" there in Delorme-would be 'sorta close to description in datasheet--i did see a "possible" (so grown in that it's hard to tell now) woods road coming from that direction when i was wandering the top


---i came up from the SE along a branch of the "right fork" of 20 Mile Brook-- the 'whack took me between between the BMDT and BMBB--i am pretty sure i was wandering in the exact spot for the BMDT--i was very careful to waypoint the topo BM spot into my GPS at high magnification of the map and signal was good---it was the high point and on the west end of the high area--my altimeter read about 5 feet from "perfect" for top and i explored at least 50-60 feet all around--a "witness" sign is what i saw last year at another BM site in the Allagash area--didn't see one here, but who knows--wish i had more time/people--you're right, with the leaf/moss cover, i'd have needed a metal detector to find the disk--wish i had found the posts

--and the Peaked you referred to is the "other" Peaked (near Round), not the one i was up today

jim
 
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"Peaked" is obviously a good name for peaks - I have been to 9 Peaked Hills or Mtns in NH and 6 in ME (in 5 counties) and I'm sure there's more.

When I went to the same Peaked as PB, I saw no sign of the BM and didn't dig for it. I did carry a steel tape to what is reputed to be the toughest p2k in the SE and measured from the RM, it came out right at the highest ground but it was near tree roots and not having a shovel I didn't dig for it either.

If you had read the BM description in advance, you would have known which direction to look from a large maple tree - that is if it is still there and not part of a maple grove :)
 
PB--thanks--

i certainly can't match the datasheet directions to anything i see today in Delorme or on the sat pics--maybe with more work, but...i had talked to a few locals last year and they did mention old sawmill(s) up in there, but i saw none the way i came in--this old description could be my second choice of routes leaving 20 Mile Brook Rd just north of BM 1635.0--but who knows--didn't use this one or even explore it-there is a "woods road" there in Delorme-would be 'sorta close to description in datasheet--i did see a "possible" (so grown in that it's hard to tell now) woods road coming from that direction when i was wandering the top


jim

Jim:

Yes, I know a description from 1960 is irrelevant but it does show how exacting those guys were. How many right forks was that?? The other one from 1930 is even more impressive. 2 day trip - yikes!

As for Delorme, I sorta stopped using it. It's out of date and with Google maps with Topos and satellite views,, you're better off at much higher scale.

Yeah, I know which Peaked you were on. I just mentioned the Arroostook Co. High Point "Peaked" since that is where I dug up the survey marker.

One thing you might check is how close the coordinates you read off the Topo map was to the coordinates on the datasheet. Those are super accurate and can be accurate to within several inches. But the Topo maps that are digitized can be off by a bit due to registration errors when they were digitized, and the original paper maps were much less accurate than the datasheet. And of course your HH GPS will have an accuracy of maybe 5-10 meters, I'm sure worse than the paper maps. Whatever!

If in the future you see a survey marker on a mountain top on a Topo (usually a triangle with cross hairs) you can (maybe) find the datasheet using this site: http://www.ngs.noaa.gov/cgi-bin/ds_desig.prl

Put in the "station name" from the map.

Alternatively you can use this site: http://www.ngs.noaa.gov/cgi-bin/ds_radius.prl

And plug in the coordinates from the Topo. But be warned that some of the markers are not in the database.
 
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Hi Roy--always a possibility :), though i am getting a shade weary of oddball peaks right now; still 13 to go on my present quest----have seen 62-63? of this list from the top

jim
 
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