peak_bgr
New member
It’s hard to believe that this route is rarely used anymore, and the standard route is pounded by thousands every year. Compared to the standard route it’s less than ½ the distance, but still takes about as long. Picture taking mostly; that’s what slowed us down.
We started this hike from the usual spot, at what’s referred to as a roadside park. This spot is located between the two Cascade Lake on a nice grassy knoll complete with picnic tables, a boat launch and one well established porta-potty. There is a small wooden bridge over the outlet that connects the two lakes, that’s our route.
Once across the bridge we followed a well used herd path which brought us steadily uphill. The path forked not long into the hike, we quickly realized that the split was an invite to which ever side of the brook we chose to hike along.
Note-If the waters low, it doesn’t really matter. But if the water is high, you need to remember that the brook needs to be on your right in order to easily get above the waterfall.
We followed the left fork which quickly brought us up on a high embankment well above the brook. There were very slippery sections on this side of the brook, with small ledges we needed walk beside. Eventually the brook came up to us, or did we eventually get down to the brook?? No matter how you see it, the path leads right to the base of the waterfall, which in my opinion-is quite a sight. After a half dozen pictures of a practically dry waterfall, from a late summer drought, we sought out the continuation of the path. The path, now much more indistinct leads very-very steeply up the left side bank along the waterfall. This section I can see as being very dangerous in slippery situations, or winter conditions.
The path starts by following an old runoff before heading straight up a layered rock ledge, switchbacking is the only proper and safe way we could find up it-it’s literally using all fours. The herd path ends on the top ledge of the waterfall, complete with a tiny pool to cool off in. The views from here are magnificent, looking down on Cascade Lake and over the highway to Pitchoff’s cliffs and Balanced Boulders.
From this point it was a matter of returning to the woods for an easier hike. We were very happy to see open woods as we zigzagged around the trees, while keeping the brook within earshot away. In a short amount of time and some serious elevation over steep terrain we found our way back to the brook. Again we were very happy with our findings; low water and easy rock hopping. It wasn’t long before we were going full speed up the brook.
After around 0.5 miles we were at a split, left was the brook and right was this kind of mini-slide. We took the slide approach of course. It’s not as direct of an approach, but by far the best. The base of the slide is a wide bare section of slab rock with coating of moss, perfect for traction, because it was pretty wet on spots. We followed this gift to its end, all the while thinking, “This is so much better than the trail”.
At the end of the slide we continued up the brook for a really short distance, which we found really wasn’t necessary. The woods are so inviting at this point. Leaving the brook on the left hand side exited us into some of the most amazing and rare birch glades in the eastern High Peaks Region.
We followed these birch glades for over ¼ mile before they finally stopped short of the summit by a mere 0.1 miles. From here it was a little dense growth pines but no real thicket, it wouldn’t have been so bad if the trees weren’t so wet from continually being in the midst of liquid sunshine. The final few feet was us climbing up the open rock directly under the summit. Kind of expected the usual “Where’d you come from?” question and odd look. But, nothing-we were just a couple regular guys wrapped up in “Gore-Tex”, just like everyone else.
We started this hike from the usual spot, at what’s referred to as a roadside park. This spot is located between the two Cascade Lake on a nice grassy knoll complete with picnic tables, a boat launch and one well established porta-potty. There is a small wooden bridge over the outlet that connects the two lakes, that’s our route.
Once across the bridge we followed a well used herd path which brought us steadily uphill. The path forked not long into the hike, we quickly realized that the split was an invite to which ever side of the brook we chose to hike along.
Note-If the waters low, it doesn’t really matter. But if the water is high, you need to remember that the brook needs to be on your right in order to easily get above the waterfall.
We followed the left fork which quickly brought us up on a high embankment well above the brook. There were very slippery sections on this side of the brook, with small ledges we needed walk beside. Eventually the brook came up to us, or did we eventually get down to the brook?? No matter how you see it, the path leads right to the base of the waterfall, which in my opinion-is quite a sight. After a half dozen pictures of a practically dry waterfall, from a late summer drought, we sought out the continuation of the path. The path, now much more indistinct leads very-very steeply up the left side bank along the waterfall. This section I can see as being very dangerous in slippery situations, or winter conditions.
The path starts by following an old runoff before heading straight up a layered rock ledge, switchbacking is the only proper and safe way we could find up it-it’s literally using all fours. The herd path ends on the top ledge of the waterfall, complete with a tiny pool to cool off in. The views from here are magnificent, looking down on Cascade Lake and over the highway to Pitchoff’s cliffs and Balanced Boulders.
From this point it was a matter of returning to the woods for an easier hike. We were very happy to see open woods as we zigzagged around the trees, while keeping the brook within earshot away. In a short amount of time and some serious elevation over steep terrain we found our way back to the brook. Again we were very happy with our findings; low water and easy rock hopping. It wasn’t long before we were going full speed up the brook.
After around 0.5 miles we were at a split, left was the brook and right was this kind of mini-slide. We took the slide approach of course. It’s not as direct of an approach, but by far the best. The base of the slide is a wide bare section of slab rock with coating of moss, perfect for traction, because it was pretty wet on spots. We followed this gift to its end, all the while thinking, “This is so much better than the trail”.
At the end of the slide we continued up the brook for a really short distance, which we found really wasn’t necessary. The woods are so inviting at this point. Leaving the brook on the left hand side exited us into some of the most amazing and rare birch glades in the eastern High Peaks Region.
We followed these birch glades for over ¼ mile before they finally stopped short of the summit by a mere 0.1 miles. From here it was a little dense growth pines but no real thicket, it wouldn’t have been so bad if the trees weren’t so wet from continually being in the midst of liquid sunshine. The final few feet was us climbing up the open rock directly under the summit. Kind of expected the usual “Where’d you come from?” question and odd look. But, nothing-we were just a couple regular guys wrapped up in “Gore-Tex”, just like everyone else.
so I am assuming we will need ice climbing gear - any feedback?
