TDawg
Well-known member
Going buggy on Zealand Mtn., Notch, and Thoreau Falls 7/15/06 #42
My girlfriend had the day off from work and wanted to hike so we decided to brave the heat and I'd take her through Zealand Notch to Thoreau Falls and then up Zeacliff Tr. to Zealand Mtn. It was hot, but not as bad as I expected because the sun was down during the tough parts. The bugs on the other hand, specificaly black flies and horseflys, were horrible.
Got a start up the Zealand Tr. at about 9:20 after driving up from MA. After spotting a deer on Zealand Rd., we started the gentle walk, making use of the old railgrades, up to the Zealand Ponds and the famous boardwalk. Then we blew through the Twinway/Ethan junction en route to Thoreau Falls, passing the open area below Whitewall cliffs and the Zeacliff Tr. We would return here after the falls to ascent Zealand.
We arrived at Thoreau Falls at about 11:20 and had the place to ourselves for a good 45 minutes, which was a surprise. We made our way to the bottom, then back up to have some food and filter water. Eventually we were joined by a group of three. I had been through the notch and to the falls before but had never seen them from the bottom, or seen the view up to Mt. Bond. For Becky, it was all new territory.
We continued on our way, back tracking down the Ethan Pond Tr. to the Zealcliff junction, descending steeply to Whitewall Brook. "Here is where the real hiking begins," I told Becky, because up until now it had been a walk in the park. Bottom line, the first third of the Zeacliff trail is steep. Within minutes of starting up the real climbing we passed a couple of guys descending and all they had to say was, "You guys are brave (going up)!!!" I just smiled and agreed, then looked at Becky and smiled as if to say, "yes, I'm a crazy hiker."
After the steep part it levels out to a more managable grade through an absolutely beautiful birch forest just loaded with ferns!! It was a great trail overall, very wild and challenging. Also we seemed to see an overabundance of toads along Zeacliff Tr., and the Ethan Pond and Zealand Tr. as well. Anyone else notice more toads this year?
We reached the Twinway and banged a left towards the Zeacliff pond and the Zealand Mtn. summit. We made the side trip to the pond where took a break for Becky to eat her sandwich. The bugs were real nasty so I the stop wasn't for long, this was a common theme throughout the day. The ridge along to the summit is real nice, aside from being chased and harrassed by horse-flies, with occasional views to the Twins, Hale and out to the Willey Range and the Carrigain region.
We reached the anti-climatic, but satisfying summit of Zealand Mtn. at about 2:30 and again only stopped long enough for pictures by the sign before being driven out by our day's nemesis, the black fly. The trip back to Zeacliff was made quicker by good conversation and laughs, along with the fact that we were finally going to have an expansive view of the mountains and valleys, and maybe a good breeze to blow away the insect nuisance.
But the latter proved to be just a dream because upon arriving the small breeze wasn't enough and we continued to be annoyed. But the views held up their end of the bargain as they were pretty good. We shared the cliff outlook with a fellow, just out of the navy, we had met briefly at Thoreau Falls and he had lost the two others in his group, who we passed going towards Zealand pond, asking us if we'd seen him. They missed his white bandana at the view spur trail and blew by it. He explained to us he was training for Rainer and had lugged 45-50 pounds UP Zeacliff Tr!! We talked about the Whites, Rainer, his upcoming Presie traverse and he was kind enough to take a picture of us on the cliff. If you're out there, good luck!!
The trip down Twinway wasn't as steep as I expected, and was a steady, even descent to the Zealand Hut where we took a good break and checked it out. We made a stop at the falls too before moving on our way back to the car at the trailhead. Along the way down the Zealand trail we spotted a small (3 ft max w/ tail), all-brown, weasel-like varmint crossing the trail. He was too quick on his exit down the bank of the Zealand river for me to get a picture. But upon further research, I think it may have been a Mink, as it was too small to be a Fisher. The rest of the walk was relatively uneventful compared to the rest of the day, aside from trying to manage the roots of the Zealand Tr. I've decided that this is where roots go when they die, the section where the trail leaves the railgrade before rejoining it.
After reaching the car and shedding sweaty layers we stopped at the Quiznos, for lack of a better place (Mooseland Grill ), for a bite to eat. Then started on the long drive back to her house in Chelmsford. All and all, even with the bugs swarming, a great day with my girl, and #42/48 for me and #6 for Becky. I don't know if she's oficially counting, but she was happy when I told her this was a 4000 footer, and asked, "So, how many have I done?" I think I've created a hiker. About 12.4 miles, 2550 ft. I think.
Pictures Here!!...enjoy
My girlfriend had the day off from work and wanted to hike so we decided to brave the heat and I'd take her through Zealand Notch to Thoreau Falls and then up Zeacliff Tr. to Zealand Mtn. It was hot, but not as bad as I expected because the sun was down during the tough parts. The bugs on the other hand, specificaly black flies and horseflys, were horrible.
Got a start up the Zealand Tr. at about 9:20 after driving up from MA. After spotting a deer on Zealand Rd., we started the gentle walk, making use of the old railgrades, up to the Zealand Ponds and the famous boardwalk. Then we blew through the Twinway/Ethan junction en route to Thoreau Falls, passing the open area below Whitewall cliffs and the Zeacliff Tr. We would return here after the falls to ascent Zealand.
We arrived at Thoreau Falls at about 11:20 and had the place to ourselves for a good 45 minutes, which was a surprise. We made our way to the bottom, then back up to have some food and filter water. Eventually we were joined by a group of three. I had been through the notch and to the falls before but had never seen them from the bottom, or seen the view up to Mt. Bond. For Becky, it was all new territory.
We continued on our way, back tracking down the Ethan Pond Tr. to the Zealcliff junction, descending steeply to Whitewall Brook. "Here is where the real hiking begins," I told Becky, because up until now it had been a walk in the park. Bottom line, the first third of the Zeacliff trail is steep. Within minutes of starting up the real climbing we passed a couple of guys descending and all they had to say was, "You guys are brave (going up)!!!" I just smiled and agreed, then looked at Becky and smiled as if to say, "yes, I'm a crazy hiker."
After the steep part it levels out to a more managable grade through an absolutely beautiful birch forest just loaded with ferns!! It was a great trail overall, very wild and challenging. Also we seemed to see an overabundance of toads along Zeacliff Tr., and the Ethan Pond and Zealand Tr. as well. Anyone else notice more toads this year?We reached the Twinway and banged a left towards the Zeacliff pond and the Zealand Mtn. summit. We made the side trip to the pond where took a break for Becky to eat her sandwich. The bugs were real nasty so I the stop wasn't for long, this was a common theme throughout the day. The ridge along to the summit is real nice, aside from being chased and harrassed by horse-flies, with occasional views to the Twins, Hale and out to the Willey Range and the Carrigain region.
We reached the anti-climatic, but satisfying summit of Zealand Mtn. at about 2:30 and again only stopped long enough for pictures by the sign before being driven out by our day's nemesis, the black fly. The trip back to Zeacliff was made quicker by good conversation and laughs, along with the fact that we were finally going to have an expansive view of the mountains and valleys, and maybe a good breeze to blow away the insect nuisance.
But the latter proved to be just a dream because upon arriving the small breeze wasn't enough and we continued to be annoyed. But the views held up their end of the bargain as they were pretty good. We shared the cliff outlook with a fellow, just out of the navy, we had met briefly at Thoreau Falls and he had lost the two others in his group, who we passed going towards Zealand pond, asking us if we'd seen him. They missed his white bandana at the view spur trail and blew by it. He explained to us he was training for Rainer and had lugged 45-50 pounds UP Zeacliff Tr!! We talked about the Whites, Rainer, his upcoming Presie traverse and he was kind enough to take a picture of us on the cliff. If you're out there, good luck!!
The trip down Twinway wasn't as steep as I expected, and was a steady, even descent to the Zealand Hut where we took a good break and checked it out. We made a stop at the falls too before moving on our way back to the car at the trailhead. Along the way down the Zealand trail we spotted a small (3 ft max w/ tail), all-brown, weasel-like varmint crossing the trail. He was too quick on his exit down the bank of the Zealand river for me to get a picture. But upon further research, I think it may have been a Mink, as it was too small to be a Fisher. The rest of the walk was relatively uneventful compared to the rest of the day, aside from trying to manage the roots of the Zealand Tr. I've decided that this is where roots go when they die, the section where the trail leaves the railgrade before rejoining it.
After reaching the car and shedding sweaty layers we stopped at the Quiznos, for lack of a better place (Mooseland Grill
), for a bite to eat. Then started on the long drive back to her house in Chelmsford. All and all, even with the bugs swarming, a great day with my girl, and #42/48 for me and #6 for Becky. I don't know if she's oficially counting, but she was happy when I told her this was a 4000 footer, and asked, "So, how many have I done?" I think I've created a hiker. About 12.4 miles, 2550 ft. I think.Pictures Here!!...enjoy
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