Cheney Cobble without the Hobble

[Doc McPeak]

To close out winter, a nice weekend spent deep in the woods, conversing with friends old and new, and capping off my W46 season with a long anticipated bushwhack to a peak that picqued my curiosity on my first trip into the southern High Peaks. Stoking the wood stove, eating Phil's famous and hearty spa-get and drinking several pints of good english ales was the perfect warm-up for a nice 9:30 departure into the wilds of the North River Range.

A pair of early 46ers had joined the fun aboard a racing sled, and soon our troop was divided into those hiking, and those being whisked the mile upwind to our approximate starting point. I opted for a frightening start to the voyage and went for a five minute slalom course while enjoying the great bouncing views of the backslopes of Cliff, Redfield, Allen, and the Macintyres. Soon we were prancing through open birch forests, trying our best to keep up with our fearless and tireless trailbreaker, Alex.

The snow and woods remained in great shape for the first 500' to 800' feet of ascent, then gradually things alternated between nice openings, to tight snake slithering (always fun for a tall heavyweight with 36" clown's feet on) to pits of white quick sand. Our fearless leader has great abilities at hovering over these pits and leaving them for the heavyweights (usually me) to enjoy. Which I did, luckily the score card stayed in the low hockey range and the great weather and half-consolidated snow made for a slow but steady climb. Yes, a good time was had by all during the opening periods.

Three hours later we came to our first truly stellar views (many sweet glimpses up to then) and the entire valley opened up all the way from the shoulder of North River to the Santanonis, Sewards, Henderson, Adams, MacNaughton, Calamity, the MacIntyres, Cliff, Redfield, Skylight, Allen, and a half hour later, Nippletop, Dix, Hough, Macomb, Giant, and Rocky Peak Ridge. The western to northern panorama opened up completely, and the rest filled in with the climb.

The scrappy bushwhack was wearing on us, but a good positive attitude prevailed like a champ... until we broke on to the flat before the summit cone. Looking up to see a hundred foot band of cliffs stretch the entire width of the mountain before us was good for some laughs. But our seasoned navigator Christine spotted a "cleft in the middle" which we could easily slither up. Well, she's usually right, and after switchbacking our way against the icy wall several times, we indeed squeezed through the shoot and on to the summit.

No signs of any visitors this winter, except for a strand of old tape around the tree on the height of land, and a couple of Mary Kay stickers. After applying some blush to the gash in my cheek several of us scampered about chasing down the views, while the others ran back toward the cabin and it's caretaker Jack Daniels. Cindy and Mike had opted for the grade A festivities for the day, and caught up to us mid-cliffs after banging out Allen first. Together we enjoyed a leisurely walk back down the stiffening trail, savoring these unique views of favorite peaks, and then hitchhiked rides back to the cabin from Ben the Mad Sledder. Several Black and Tans, some yummy chow, and couple of games of pitch and we were saying goodnight like Little House on the East River. A perfect wrap to a memorable season.

Photos are here for your amusement:

http://community.webshots.com/album/301303054KeGUNT

 

[mavs00]

Doc,

Great report and very informative. I hope to follow sometime this summer. Although sadly, I'm afraid I'll be taken the LOOOONG roundabout way. No JD caretakers for me ( ).

Thanks, this post and the views from Cheney (thanks for the photos) has inspired me even more than the "view of Cheney" from the various other vista's I've seen. Have you done North River too?

Thanks for sharing. Awsome.

 

[BlackSpruce]

"hoping to follow"... well not really

Tim,

Access to Cheney and North River is through private land leased by two Clubs the Opalescent and the East River Club. So, you need to be invited by a member of the club to get legal access. Even coming from Skylight Brook (Allen's herdpath) you will have to walk about 1.5 miles and ascend a few hundred feet up Cheney before being on State Land again. Of late the Club has decided to take legal action whenever a hiker will be caught.

Thank you for respecting private property,

Christine

 

[mavs00]

Thank you for respecting private property,

Follow in a figurative sense I meant. That's why I made sure to state that I was taking the LOOOONG way (steering clear of private property) in my post.

"respecting private property" is the way IT MUST BE DONE when you are like me or in my position. What can I say, I have freinds in NO PLACES I've mapped a perspective route (all on State land) and it surely makes an Allen dayhike look like easy stroll. Suppose I better bring a hammock and prepare to "make my own way" for a day or two. Hell, I suppose if it were easy, anyone could do it.

Not that Dudley Brook isn't way more attractive, but like you said its PRIVATE PROPERTY and off limits to us "common folk". I'm glad you guys had fun and made your way safely, and I envy you.

For the rest of us interested folks looking to bag this one, pack a lunch (and dinner, then breakfast, and so on ) and head out the long way. Most maps will show the boundries very clearly.

Thanks again for sharing

 

[BlackSpruce]

Dudley and LeClair brooks

The ADK map Dudley Brook is named LeClair on all other maps and it's a very long and not exactly easy way to reach North River.

The Cheney North River col drainage flows into Dudley Brook, Skylight Brook flows into Dudley Brook as well.

And yes the ADK map shows clearly the private property line. That line is being changed on the Mount Adams side only. Actually crossing Calamity Brok yesterday on our way to Flowed Lands we noticed that a survey line job was in progress.

I would agree with you that in order to climb Cheney and North River Mt. traveling on private land you may have to spend a few nights in the wood as you would have to return via the same route...

Have fun,

Christine

 

[Doc McPeak]

Tim,

My original plans called for a several day trip, but the one nut who would have been up for it had a bunch of babies so that was that.

Day one: Hike to Skylight brook, set-up camp, hike Allen. Eat, drink, be merry.
Day two: Hike the boundary line and contour around to the NR/CC col, hike NR, eat, drink, nurse wounds. Be Merry as can be.
Day three: Hike CC, then hike a traverse south of Allen towards the EL/PG trail and camped near the boundary line. Hope to eat before passing out.
Day four: Fanny pack up to Panther Gorge, or just head out to car 2 at EL.

Day three could be changed to returning to UW or marathoning it out to EL, but who wants to cut time short out playing in the woods. Once the bugs die down you'll have a great path for adventure before you. No need to rush. And be careful of "envy" of mountain play, for it may lead you towards the dark side of obsessive compulsive peakstacking. It's good to lose track of your lists every now and then...though not for too long!

Look forward to reading the report and checking out the pics!