Chocoura 05/21/05

[MEB]

When I heard the weather report the other night I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. I tossed the remote and went stomping off into the kitchen with thoughts of yet another rainy weekend. Really though, I have nothing to complain about. I get to decide about how I feel about things and why should I let a little rain get in the way of what I enjoy doing…..it hasn’t stopped me yet! But it would be so nice just to go out and have a day of sunshine and warmth!!! I’m so ready for Spring to be over with!

So, Saturday morning my sister and I set out for Mt Chocoura. The forecast had changed a bit and I was crossing my fingers that we could get the hike done without getting wet. I’ve been up this mountain many times in the past but it has been a few years since I’ve been back and I was really looking forward climbing it again despite the fact I knew there would probably be lots of people on the way.

Just after 8 we started our journey up the Piper Trail. This was my first time on this trail and I found myself wondering why I always took the Champney Falls Trail. I’m not sure why and then my thoughts change to why I started hiking the lists. I like the lists and I’m glad I now have something directing me to new places. I don’t think I would have made it to so many wonderful places on my own had it not been for the lists. Well, going along the Piper Trail rises gradually and the going is pretty fast. We find ourselves walking down corridors of green and it makes me feel as though I’m in a greenhouse and the occasional glimpse towards the sky is like the calm of a deep ocean of blue. But, I know the sunshine is not going to last and I have to remind myself to take each moment for what it is right now and to worry about what is going to happen when it does.

Soon we find ourselves out on the ledges after going through a series of switchbacks. The clouds are looming in the distance but for now we still have a little sun and great views towards the summit. Upon reaching the junction with the Champney Falls Trail we decide to take the short trip over to Middle Sister. This was well worth the extra traveling as we had this summit to ourselves and personally, I think the views seem a bit better from here too. We stayed here for a while eating, naming mountains and watching the clouds move in slowly, obscuring the peaks of the higher summits.

Next we backtrack and then head on towards Chocoura. We pass a few people on the way and there are no masses gathered at the top yet either. Just below the summit I look up and watch a crow flying real close to the rocks….I wonder to myself what this must feel like, soaring through space watching the landscape pass beneath. I’m envious of his wings but at the same time I’m thankful for my legs. He circles the summit a few times and then heads off.

By the time we reach the summit the clouds have now moved in and the wind has also picked up a bit. So, we ducked down by some rocks just below the summit and stayed here for a while chatting with two other gentlemen. As they were getting ready to leave I turned around and there was Bob Kittridge! After talking with Bob for a while we then decided to head down as Rachel was starting to get a little chilled.

Heading down Liberty Springs Trail and then on to Hammond Trail we soon find ourselves at the Jim Liberty Cabin. It appears this cabin get a lot of use and I think about what it would be like to spend a night here. Continuing on we pass several other groups heading on up. The clouds have lifted again so they will get some nice views. Next, we turn off onto the Weetamoo Trail. This is another beautiful trail and as it takes us on our way down we pass many wildflowers, moss and boulders. We even saw a little reddish colored mouse scurry across the trail…he had a cute stubby tail that was popping out from his hiding place. Soon we pass Weetamoo Rock, impressive, and then we find ourselves passing along a ridge of pines which makes it way down to the river. Walking along the river and listening to it ramble over rocks reminds me of when I was a child and the times I spent at the camp in Carrabassett Valley. I think if my Dad and all the time we spent up there swimming in the river and exploring the old logging roads. We then cross the river and the trail heads off away from the river and we soon hear the low rumbles of motorcycles in the distance. Today the motorcycle noise did not bother me as it made me think of my late uncle and the day I happened to run into him all decked out in motorcycle regalia. I had never seen him before all dressed up in chaps and leather and I remember staring at him thinking, is that Uncle Tommy?

Heading on we come back to the junction with Piper Trail and I find myself not wanting the day to end. I always feel this way towards the end….but then I start thinking of coffee and food and all is well again! Despite the grim forecast we managed to squeak out a pretty decent day and I’m happy that we decided to hike.

Here are some pictures from our trip.

-MEB

 

[HikerBob]

Great trip report and pictures Mary Ellen!

From my vantage point on South Twin it seemed as though most of the clouds and squalls were off to the south. Seems you managed to avoid the rain.

It was indeed a great day to be out in spite of the forecast

Bob

 

[alpinista]

Awesome shots and equally awesome trip report. I particularly love the 4th shot -- it's amazing how you were able to capture how veiny those leaves are! What kind of camera are you using?

 

[poison ivy]

Great pictures, Mary Ellen! I especially liked the one of hte clouds descending!

-- Ivy

 

[Bob Kittredge]

Nice seeing you at the summit, Mary Ellen. Your hat is certainly distinctive. I can't believe neither of us took a picture of the other.

I came up the Nickerson Ledge and Carter Ledge trails which give you views fairly early on. I got to see the summit clearly before the cap cloud moved in. Carter Ledge doesn't appear to get a lot of use (though I did over take three young dudes lounging about one of the ledges), and it's a little narrow and challenging to follow at times, but some might considere that a bonus.

That was one of the few times I've been on the summit with fewer than 10 other people (and only one dog!). The near views were pretty nice, but the ceiling was about 4000' so we couldn't even see the summit of Passaconaway or much of the big peaks to the north.

I followed you down Liberty, Hammond and Weetamoo foolishly thinking I might catch up. The cabin looked less funky than I recalled. I also liked that sharp piney (hemlocky?) ridge on the lower end of the Weetamoo. And what I really enjoyed was having that little stream right by the parking lot to plunge my weary feet into. Cold! Much as I enjoy my boots, sometimes the best part of the hike is when I get to take them off.

On Sunday I started to lead a small party up Old Mast Road but turned back after an hour of slogging in the rain. Nice trilliums (trillia?) and hobblebush in bloom though, with wild sarsaparilla, clintonia and Indian cucumber root coming along nicely.

 

[MEB]

Bob- I thought about you on Sunday and was wondering if were going to go out in the rain.....Saturday turned out to be better than I had expected! We thought about taking the Nickerson Ledge Trail but decided to save that loop for another day.

Alpinista, I'm glad you like the pictures. I use a Fugi FinPix 700. It's been a great camera but there is still so much to learn about it!