Chandler 2/16

[campsite]

Fran and I parked at the end of the Black Mtn. Rd and started up an 8'
wide groomed ski trail.
Ignoring the first 2 right turns, due to signs meant for skiers, we
continued for a while and turned back when we realized our mistake. We
walked back to that original 2nd right and headed out on a hard
groomed trail that seemed to be going in the right direction. We
followed this groomed trail until beyond a height of land,and down the
other side about 1/4 mile. At this point, we left the groomed trail
and started breaking trail down a logging road for a few minutes, took
a visual on Chandler, and bw through annoying, whippy woods until we
reached the East Branch logging road at its very end. The little
amount of breaking done up to now had been difficult enough that we
knew we wouldn't reach the summit if things didn't change - since Fran
was insistent and started using her French bad words, I reluctantly
agreed to do my share of the breaking. We decided to continue. The
East Branch was frozen solid, and we pursued our way up towards
Chandler's SW knob. Our decision to continue proved to be a good one
since immediately after crossing the East Branch we were in wide, wide
open mature hardwoods - still exhibiting the damages of the '98 ice
storm. At about 2000', the breaking became easier, and we even hit
some hard patches, probably due to the wind sweeping through, and the
slope's angle to the sun. Upon reaching the 3000' knob, we set out on
a bearing that we soon abandoned due to rather thick spruce (those
uphill conditions had spoiled us). We decided to follow our noses
instead, staying on the high point of the ridge, always going around
sprucy areas and traveling through beatiful white birches. Occasionally, it appeared we were traveling on the old trail. We were
soon on the open summit with unlimited views. (by the way, there's a nice birch grove, to the
NW just beyond the summit)

 

[forestgnome]

map

There are a few old trails, as seen on this old map. I like to print these and bring them along and look for the old trails.

That's some serious bw! I really enjoy that whole area, but I don't think I'll ever see it in winter. Good job!

There are quite a few fine birch glades on Chandler and Sable Mtns.

Did you see much moose sign?

happy trails

 

[campsite]

We saw very little moose activity. Four-legged tavel must be very difficult this year.
From what I could see, this area is now riddled with x-country ski trails and logging roads.
We could have saved ourselves some time and confusion by obtaining a ski trail map from the Jackson x-country ski trail assn. The have ski trails named East Pasture and Bald Land.
The Bald Land hiking trail appears to have been essentially replaced by a wide swath used for groomed x-country ski trails. On occasion, you can see where the hiking trail diverges from the swath. At the height of land (2078 elevation), at a "T" junction, there's a spur trail going to the south to a viewpoint. I assume this is a remnant of the trail that went to Doublehead. At this same height of land, the hiking trail crosses the swath at an angle. Whereas the swath continues to the NE, the old trail heads to the SE on the right side of a brook. The trail appeared to be easily followable, however not maintained.

 

[Lucky Laura]

Way to go Paul and Fran! Francine, make sure he pulls his weight with the breaking... Happy Belated birthday, too!
Lucky