Doodles
Active member
Well, Zero-G twisted my arm for yet another hike. I decided to hook up with him for Friday, and we bagged Balsam Cap for my list.
We met up at Moon Haw Rd at 9:30. Saw the sign that Buzz had posted for the NO MORE HIKER ACCESS from his property, and we went up about 1/4 mile to the state land. While getting ready, Buzz drove up and talked a while. He told us of the recent incidents that led to the denied access. I had told him that the word was out on the web sites, and he regrets the denied access, but it had to be this way to prevent any future incidents. He informed us of the way to get up thru the forest access point and to follow the state land line. He bid us a good day and we were on our way. It was very nice meeting Buzz.
We departed the PA for Friday at 10:00. Weather was blue skies, puffy clouds, about 15 degrees, modest winds blowing. There was no snow cover at the PA, however it coated the ground at about 1500' and got deeper as we went up. At about 2500' we came upon some tracks that seemed to be going in the right direction (UP). The tracks proved to be a very direct and precise route to the canister. We left out mark, and decided to head over to Balsam Cap. Could not stay still to long due to the cold and wind.
We dropped back down below the cliffs on the reservoir side and headed to Balsam Cap. Again we picked up tracks that agreed with our heading, so we followed. About 1/4 mile below the peak we encountered snow drifts of at least 2 ft. In a way it was good to see that winter still exists in the mountains. We went out to the ledge and marveled at the view. We identified the peaks across on the Devils Path range till they disappeared behind Wittenberg. Could not marvel at the view to long, chilling down, standing still. Again the tracks led us right to the canister and we signed in, had a snack and started down the way we came.
We punched out at 3:00 at the cars. The temperature had started to drop for the upcoming cold night. 10 degrees at the cars. It was colder than it was when we started.
Once again, a good hike with great company.
George
We met up at Moon Haw Rd at 9:30. Saw the sign that Buzz had posted for the NO MORE HIKER ACCESS from his property, and we went up about 1/4 mile to the state land. While getting ready, Buzz drove up and talked a while. He told us of the recent incidents that led to the denied access. I had told him that the word was out on the web sites, and he regrets the denied access, but it had to be this way to prevent any future incidents. He informed us of the way to get up thru the forest access point and to follow the state land line. He bid us a good day and we were on our way. It was very nice meeting Buzz.
We departed the PA for Friday at 10:00. Weather was blue skies, puffy clouds, about 15 degrees, modest winds blowing. There was no snow cover at the PA, however it coated the ground at about 1500' and got deeper as we went up. At about 2500' we came upon some tracks that seemed to be going in the right direction (UP). The tracks proved to be a very direct and precise route to the canister. We left out mark, and decided to head over to Balsam Cap. Could not stay still to long due to the cold and wind.
We dropped back down below the cliffs on the reservoir side and headed to Balsam Cap. Again we picked up tracks that agreed with our heading, so we followed. About 1/4 mile below the peak we encountered snow drifts of at least 2 ft. In a way it was good to see that winter still exists in the mountains. We went out to the ledge and marveled at the view. We identified the peaks across on the Devils Path range till they disappeared behind Wittenberg. Could not marvel at the view to long, chilling down, standing still. Again the tracks led us right to the canister and we signed in, had a snack and started down the way we came.
We punched out at 3:00 at the cars. The temperature had started to drop for the upcoming cold night. 10 degrees at the cars. It was colder than it was when we started.
Once again, a good hike with great company.
George
