Puck
New member
- Joined
- Aug 27, 2004
- Messages
- 1,272
- Reaction score
- 162
May 27-29
Official #33, 34 35.
My son, (trail name; Gorpburb) and I left CT by 5:30 Sat morning. He loaded the CD player with Emerson, Lake and Palmer, Green Day, Flogging Molly and Bartok. Then fell asleep. With no traffic we made great time on I91. We stopped in Fairlee VT for raspberry fig newtons, garlic and gas. After we stopped in Lincoln for bagel sandwiches we were at the signal ridge trailhead by 11:00. I was not sure how the brook crossings would be so I looked for the herd path just to the right of the bridge. Could not find it and I suggested that we bushwack. Gorpburp wanted nothing to with it and opt to face the rushing torrent. It was an easy crossing and we made it across in no time.
It was a very pleasant hike. We passed a large AMC group who let us pass. We did not see them again until the top. MY companion did very well. He took the lead to set a steady pace. The rests we took he had a quick recovery. Big difference from our earlier hikes this year, his soccer games are paying off.
We neared the first peak that offered great views of Vose Spur and Mt Lowel. There were a lot of clouds and the fire tower was shrouded. We got to the tower and while eating a snack the AMC group caught up with us. We chatted a bit and were off. We soon got back to the trail head.
The birds and flora were amazing. The warblers are back and very musical. I never bring optics for these hikes. However, a blackpoll presented himself for an easy view. The trees and shrubs were full of Redeye vireos, Black throated Green Warblers, Black Throated Blue, Chestnut sided, Blackburnian, Oven birds, Winter Wrens, Scarlet Tanagers, everyone seemed to be out. I could not stop to look for them just enjoy the songs.
We got back to the car and started a search for a campsite on the Kanc. We ferreted in and out look for something. We reached the Ranger Station in Lincoln. They had posted that there was availability at the kiosk. Now I know never to trust that. We ended up at the KOA in Woodstock. We were there before for the Flags on the 48 event in Sep. The atmosphere was much different; a bunch of kids gave a glow stick parade.
Sunday morning we on the Sabbaday Trailhead by 9:00. Great trail. The brook crossings were a challenge, and there were many blowdowns. We saw very few people. The air was hot and did not move until we rose above The Fool Killer.
Once between the two peaks of Tripyramid we saw a lot of people. Then the trip became interesting. We headed down Pine Bend Brook. We came across a couple coming up the trail and asked if they were headed toward the “highway.” They were not sure where they had parked but wanted to get back to rt 112. they had no map, compass, idea, food or water. We lead them down the trail. When we stopped to splash our faces in the brook they kept going. I think they missed a blaze as we never saw or heard from the again.
That night we found a pine pollen covered site at Passaconoway. Gorpburp was feeling sore and we opted to skip the scheduled hike of whiteface and Passaconaway Monday morning. We headed back to Lincoln for more bagel sandwiches….we have our weakness, then on to the Mountain Wanderer for a chat with Steve Smith. He graciously stated that our plans were very, very ambitious. My son immediately felt better about our decision to skip the day’s plans.
Official #33, 34 35.
My son, (trail name; Gorpburb) and I left CT by 5:30 Sat morning. He loaded the CD player with Emerson, Lake and Palmer, Green Day, Flogging Molly and Bartok. Then fell asleep. With no traffic we made great time on I91. We stopped in Fairlee VT for raspberry fig newtons, garlic and gas. After we stopped in Lincoln for bagel sandwiches we were at the signal ridge trailhead by 11:00. I was not sure how the brook crossings would be so I looked for the herd path just to the right of the bridge. Could not find it and I suggested that we bushwack. Gorpburp wanted nothing to with it and opt to face the rushing torrent. It was an easy crossing and we made it across in no time.
It was a very pleasant hike. We passed a large AMC group who let us pass. We did not see them again until the top. MY companion did very well. He took the lead to set a steady pace. The rests we took he had a quick recovery. Big difference from our earlier hikes this year, his soccer games are paying off.
We neared the first peak that offered great views of Vose Spur and Mt Lowel. There were a lot of clouds and the fire tower was shrouded. We got to the tower and while eating a snack the AMC group caught up with us. We chatted a bit and were off. We soon got back to the trail head.
The birds and flora were amazing. The warblers are back and very musical. I never bring optics for these hikes. However, a blackpoll presented himself for an easy view. The trees and shrubs were full of Redeye vireos, Black throated Green Warblers, Black Throated Blue, Chestnut sided, Blackburnian, Oven birds, Winter Wrens, Scarlet Tanagers, everyone seemed to be out. I could not stop to look for them just enjoy the songs.
We got back to the car and started a search for a campsite on the Kanc. We ferreted in and out look for something. We reached the Ranger Station in Lincoln. They had posted that there was availability at the kiosk. Now I know never to trust that. We ended up at the KOA in Woodstock. We were there before for the Flags on the 48 event in Sep. The atmosphere was much different; a bunch of kids gave a glow stick parade.
Sunday morning we on the Sabbaday Trailhead by 9:00. Great trail. The brook crossings were a challenge, and there were many blowdowns. We saw very few people. The air was hot and did not move until we rose above The Fool Killer.
Once between the two peaks of Tripyramid we saw a lot of people. Then the trip became interesting. We headed down Pine Bend Brook. We came across a couple coming up the trail and asked if they were headed toward the “highway.” They were not sure where they had parked but wanted to get back to rt 112. they had no map, compass, idea, food or water. We lead them down the trail. When we stopped to splash our faces in the brook they kept going. I think they missed a blaze as we never saw or heard from the again.
That night we found a pine pollen covered site at Passaconoway. Gorpburp was feeling sore and we opted to skip the scheduled hike of whiteface and Passaconaway Monday morning. We headed back to Lincoln for more bagel sandwiches….we have our weakness, then on to the Mountain Wanderer for a chat with Steve Smith. He graciously stated that our plans were very, very ambitious. My son immediately felt better about our decision to skip the day’s plans.
