Clough Bushwhack October 20, 2004

[docross]

Anne Gwynne and I did this NH 100 peak on a nice sunny day in late October. We went in from the Tunnel Brook trail after parking our car on the North-South Road above the AT crossing (off of NH Rt 25 near Glencliff).

There were several stream crossings on the Tunnel Brook trail, which were no problem for us, but could be in times of high water. The trail itself passes through nice woods and is easy to follow.

We started the whack somewhat north of the 2200 foot contour, and regretted the initial thickness we encountered. It would be better to pick a nice open area right at 2200 feet, which is at the height of land.

The climb up the ridge was mostly through open woods, and there were some steep areas with ledges we had to deviate around.

We erred in hugging the western edge of the ridge, so that when we encountered thick stuff at about 3100 feet, we were tempted, wrongly, to head west. Bad move!! After 30 minutes of swearing we retraced our steps to the east, and found much easier going.

We followed various moose tracks and perhaps herd paths upwards, and came to another thick area just below the summit. Again we deviated to the east and found another herd path, which led us right up to the summit.

The bottle is an old glass one hanging about 6 feet from the ground on the branch of a tree.

After lunch we decided to see how the terrain was to the west, and headed down to the North-South Road. I do not recommend this route, and do not show it on the attached plot, because the first few hundred feet below the summit were thick and miserable. Lower down the woods were open and beautiful, although treacherous because of numerous hidden acorns which kept us falling like characters in a vaudeville act.

We came out on the road above the second bridge. The hike on the North-South Road to the car was not nearly as nice as the Tunnel Brook trail, but
avoided the brook crossings.

This was number 75 for me. Thanks to Anne for the guidance and company!!

 

[Waumbek]

Interesting report, docross. I'm trying to visualize this area without benefit of a larger map. Does Mt Clough lie between Mud Pond & Tunnel Brook Trail and the N-S Road & Long Pond? In other words, when you stand at the top of Long Pond and look down it (south), are you seeing Mt. Clough on the left (east) side?

 

[docross]

Clough Bushwhack

Yes, Clough is southeast of Long Pond. You can get a good view of Clough from the summit of the South Peak of Moosilauke. There are cliffs that line the eastern edge of the ridge we wacked up, so you don't want to start the whack beyond the height of land on Tunnel Brook trail.

 

[Mohamed Ellozy]

Does Mt Clough lie between Mud Pond & Tunnel Brook Trail and the N-S Road & Long Pond?

Yes, see map.

 

[docross]

Mohammed you really ought to change your photo so we can see your smiling face!

 

[Waumbek]

So here's a picture of Long Pond. Vantage point is the northern end looking south. On the left will be Mt Clough sloping down to the indeed long pond, if I follow this correctly. I've always wondered what it was. Thanks. Anybody know what's on the other (right) side and whether it is climb-able? From Mohamed's map, thanks, I guess it's Jeffers or Hogsback.

 

[el-bagr]

Interesting report. I followed a branch of Jeffers Brook up the W face in the late '90s. After the brook petered out, the spruce up top became oppressively thick. There are definitely steep spots up high on Clough!

The Benton Range offers some neat treats. The area formerly had more maintained trails than it does today...

 

[docross]

In reply to Waumbek, the mountains to the west of Long Pond are, from N to S: Sugarloaf and Jeffers, connected by the Hogsback; Blueberry, and Owls Head (obviously not the 4000 footer nor the one by Mt Martha (Cherry).

I guess the one to the right of your photo is Jeffers.

 

[Waumbek]

Thanks, dc, I've hiked 'em all except Jeffers and would be tempted but not if it's spruced in that thickly. Yes, el-bagr, Benton used to have a lot of trails and much more life than nowadays. The town had a hotel once. It's being gentrified now, however, as prices soar every where else.

 

[Mike]

Thanks, dc, I've hiked 'em all except Jeffers and would be tempted but not if it's spruced in that thickly.

Did Jeffers about 7 years ago. At that time it was wide open (except for the "whips" down low) right to the register. It also took less that 45 minutes at a leasurely pace.