Heavy rain south of Pinkham

[peakbagger]

For two days in a row this week, the area south of Pinkham has experienced unusually heavy rain leading to flash flooding. On weds, they had between 4 and 8 inches of rain fall in less than four hours and a storms basically sat stationary over the area for most of yesterday(thurs). If you are going to be hiking in this area be aware that you may find trail conditions rougher than normal. This could include washed out bridges, trees down, and washouts.

I havent been in the area, but I expect that the routes into Isolation, Dry river and the Moats may all be interesting.

 

[dentonfabrics]

Thanks for the heads up. Guess I wont be doing Isolation next week, like I had planned.

 

[bobandgeri]

A very nice way to get to Isolation without the worry of water crossings is to take the Boot Spur Trail out of Pinkham area and then come down the Davis Path. Then take Glen Boulder for the descent back to your car. Nice way to spend a lot of time above tree line if the weather is nice.

 

[DougPaul]

Another nice route for Isolation that has a minimum of stream crossings is Ammo Ravine Tr, Lakes of the Clouds, Crawford Path, Camel Tr, Boot Spur, Davis Path. A little long (~16mi and 5400ft). Options to add Monroe, Washington, and perhaps Clay and Jefferson (go down Jewell) if you feel energetic. Lots of above T-line time.

Only stream crossing of note is on Ammo Ravine Tr.

This was my route for Isolation (with the Monroe option).

Doug

 

[Gator]

That's excellent info to know. Thanks for the heads up.

I was planning on middle and south carter for tommorow. Going up north imp and coming down carter dome trail and nineteen mile brook. Any thoughts on whether I should still do that?

 

[MichaelJ]

Gator - there are a couple of crossings at the lower portion of the Carter Dome trail; all should be very safe though some areas might be wet/muddy. They drain a relatively small area of land and I've never seen it anywhere near any kind of risk levels.

Along 19-Mile Brook all the crossings are bridged.

The only question might be on the Imp Trail - I don't know if there are any crossings along that segment. But if make it up that way, I would feel comfortable about coming down Carter/19-Mile.

 

[weatherman]

just generally

This time of year, streams recede pretty quickly due to no constant supply of water from snowmelt and rapid foliage growth. So heavy rain Wed and yesterday (and maybe a bit tonight) may only last 48 hrs tops, as far as most streams are concerned. Mud and washouts may linger, however.
Enjoy- I'm stuck here this weekend.
Weatherman

 

[arghman]

...so is there a list (preferably with latitude & longitude in a format importable to a GIS for cool mapping purposes ) of brook crossings and bridges on trails in the WMNF? I'm finding it hard to know what to expect; at this point I'm brook-shy if it's rained recently.

also, just curious -- how long does it take for water that hits ground at 4000ft to reach a stream a few miles downhill at 2000ft? are there any rules of thumb / estimates?

 

[Jim lombard]

Posted by Gator

I was planning on middle and south carter for tommorow. Going up north imp and coming down carter dome trail and nineteen mile brook. Any thoughts on whether I should still do that?

We went up and down the Carter Dome trail off 19-Mile in early June and with all the snowmelt and recent rain it wasn't that bad

 

[SAR-EMT40]

This time of year, streams recede pretty quickly due to no constant supply of water from snowmelt and rapid foliage growth. So heavy rain Wed and yesterday (and maybe a bit tonight) may only last 48 hrs tops, as far as most streams are concerned. Mud and washouts may linger, however.
Enjoy- I'm stuck here this weekend.
Weatherman

Weatherman is exactly correct. I have been here in Bartlett all week and the streams are not a problem even with the heavy rains that we had.

Go hiking, use common sense and you shouldn't have any problem with the stream crossings.

Enjoy,
Keith

 

[RoySwkr]

also, just curious -- how long does it take for water that hits ground at 4000ft to reach a stream a few miles downhill at 2000ft? are there any rules of thumb / estimates?

See DougPauls answer to "Hancock Branch crossing" for more detailed water data than you can imagine

 

[Gator]

Just got back from Carters (threw in Hight - awesome! and Carter dome as well). No problems at all (water related ones ). Nineteen mile brook trail was wet, nothing out of the ordinary.

Is the dam along the trail to restrict flow going under route 16 so it doesn't wash over the road during the spring?

 

[DougPaul]

JIs the dam along the trail to restrict flow going under route 16 so it doesn't wash over the road during the spring?

Water supply for Glen House, I believe.

Doug