Roxi
Active member
Jefferson 7/16/2006
Jefferson will not be my 48th....because it became my 36th on Sunday. The phrase, “Life happens while you’re busy making plans” is so true! In the last week I received two job offers, one of which is in Whitefield. So I headed north again this weekend to check out the area towns more to determine where I would want to live if I take the job. And it’s very hard for me to go up there without hiking something, so I looked for a short hike that would allow me time afterward to drive around the area and check things out. I also thought about the projected temperatures and decided that it was very unlikely to be 90 degrees up on the presidential range. The Caps Ridge Trail up Jefferson filled the bill at 5 miles RT. Scott, the massage therapist I met on South Twin, asked me to let him know when I’d be in the area for hiking, so I called him to ask if he wanted to join me up Jefferson, and he offered to also accompany me as I toured the area towns afterwards.
I picked Scott up and we headed to the trailhead on Jefferson Notch Rd. (which also looks like a nice road to mountain bike on as well). The early clouds burned off giving way to beautiful blue skies and abundant sunshine. The temps were warm, but comfortable, however, the bugs attacked whenever we stopped. We passed a few groups early on. The trail was in good condition. Split logs spanned where there was a little water and some mud. The rest of the trail was dry and not too rocky until treeline. The “caps” (rocky outcrops) were fun to climb over and in what seemed like no time we were on the summit. Being a little crowded, we went over another little peak and found a flat rock to sit down on overlooking Monticello Lawn. What a beautiful day! Mother Nature had turned on the AC on top of Jefferson and provided a small breeze to keep the bugs at bay. It was delightful! We grabbed a quick snack, drank in the views, and headed down.
While descending, two tall guys coming up asked us if we were from VFTT. I responded, “Yes,” and McRat introduced himself and his buddy Dennis McCoon(?)! It was so cool meeting them and Russ is as funny in person as he is in his trip reports. Sadly, though, neither Squeaky nor any ice cream sandwiches were with him.
*teasing* We held SherpaK’s towel while Russ took a picture and shortly after that Bob & Geri came down and introduced themselves! This was an impromptu VFTT gathering! Bob & Geri are wonderful and it was a real treat conversing with them as the four of us descended the mountain. A great trail, delightful weather on the summit, and good company made for an excellent hike!
Jefferson will not be my 48th....because it became my 36th on Sunday. The phrase, “Life happens while you’re busy making plans” is so true! In the last week I received two job offers, one of which is in Whitefield. So I headed north again this weekend to check out the area towns more to determine where I would want to live if I take the job. And it’s very hard for me to go up there without hiking something, so I looked for a short hike that would allow me time afterward to drive around the area and check things out. I also thought about the projected temperatures and decided that it was very unlikely to be 90 degrees up on the presidential range. The Caps Ridge Trail up Jefferson filled the bill at 5 miles RT. Scott, the massage therapist I met on South Twin, asked me to let him know when I’d be in the area for hiking, so I called him to ask if he wanted to join me up Jefferson, and he offered to also accompany me as I toured the area towns afterwards.
I picked Scott up and we headed to the trailhead on Jefferson Notch Rd. (which also looks like a nice road to mountain bike on as well). The early clouds burned off giving way to beautiful blue skies and abundant sunshine. The temps were warm, but comfortable, however, the bugs attacked whenever we stopped. We passed a few groups early on. The trail was in good condition. Split logs spanned where there was a little water and some mud. The rest of the trail was dry and not too rocky until treeline. The “caps” (rocky outcrops) were fun to climb over and in what seemed like no time we were on the summit. Being a little crowded, we went over another little peak and found a flat rock to sit down on overlooking Monticello Lawn. What a beautiful day! Mother Nature had turned on the AC on top of Jefferson and provided a small breeze to keep the bugs at bay. It was delightful! We grabbed a quick snack, drank in the views, and headed down.
While descending, two tall guys coming up asked us if we were from VFTT. I responded, “Yes,” and McRat introduced himself and his buddy Dennis McCoon(?)! It was so cool meeting them and Russ is as funny in person as he is in his trip reports. Sadly, though, neither Squeaky nor any ice cream sandwiches were with him.
*teasing* We held SherpaK’s towel while Russ took a picture and shortly after that Bob & Geri came down and introduced themselves! This was an impromptu VFTT gathering! Bob & Geri are wonderful and it was a real treat conversing with them as the four of us descended the mountain. A great trail, delightful weather on the summit, and good company made for an excellent hike! 
