Bombadil
Active member
2-24-12
Snowshoes the whole way as expected. Even though a large group broke out the trail yesterday, there was a lot of tough trailbreaking today as a good 5" of heavy wet snow fell last night and during the day. HUGE kudos to those that broke out the trail yesterday.
I found the going to be relatively easy to the height of land at which point there were many snow-laden branches leaning over the trail which continually dumped on me. The engine hill bushwhack route was not broken out at all and the existing route essentially went down almost to the river before angling back up to meet the trail. No offense to the guys that broke it out yesterday but it did circle around a bit and even once back on the trail the overhanging branches slowed progress considerably. Smooth sailing after the river crossing up to Davis Path, but the winter shortcut up there is not broken out presumably due to the field of blowdowns in the way. On the way back I was a bit torn and initially opted to not break out the engine hill bushwhack since I was soaked from the wet snow and tired from the last few days of hiking but as soon as I started getting close to the overhanging section by the river I broke out a trail that for the most part runs parallel to the usual bushwhack but instead of going through the open birch glades went more through old softwoods. I did hit some spruce traps and others will probably find the traditional EH bushwhack to be superior but I was just looking to make a shortcut back to the trail. All in all though the track isn't super well beaten with the recent snow it should definitely be easy to follow until the next storm even if a few more inches fall overnight.
Also I had found an ice axe on the way up to the height of land and planted it in the trail. I presume it was lost yesterday and hopefully its owner was out looking for it today as I saw no one else all day.
Pat
pcushing21 at yahoo dot com
Snowshoes the whole way as expected. Even though a large group broke out the trail yesterday, there was a lot of tough trailbreaking today as a good 5" of heavy wet snow fell last night and during the day. HUGE kudos to those that broke out the trail yesterday.
I found the going to be relatively easy to the height of land at which point there were many snow-laden branches leaning over the trail which continually dumped on me. The engine hill bushwhack route was not broken out at all and the existing route essentially went down almost to the river before angling back up to meet the trail. No offense to the guys that broke it out yesterday but it did circle around a bit and even once back on the trail the overhanging branches slowed progress considerably. Smooth sailing after the river crossing up to Davis Path, but the winter shortcut up there is not broken out presumably due to the field of blowdowns in the way. On the way back I was a bit torn and initially opted to not break out the engine hill bushwhack since I was soaked from the wet snow and tired from the last few days of hiking but as soon as I started getting close to the overhanging section by the river I broke out a trail that for the most part runs parallel to the usual bushwhack but instead of going through the open birch glades went more through old softwoods. I did hit some spruce traps and others will probably find the traditional EH bushwhack to be superior but I was just looking to make a shortcut back to the trail. All in all though the track isn't super well beaten with the recent snow it should definitely be easy to follow until the next storm even if a few more inches fall overnight.
Also I had found an ice axe on the way up to the height of land and planted it in the trail. I presume it was lost yesterday and hopefully its owner was out looking for it today as I saw no one else all day.
Pat
pcushing21 at yahoo dot com
