sapblatt
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- Joined
- Oct 22, 2004
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Special note: Thanks to my editor, SherpaKroto for correcting my spelling of Skookumchuck 
I am afraid to say to all that read my reports there are not tales of utter horror in this report – a pretty great hike with a great bunch of guys – there are no bizarre incidents with hot beverages, no popping ankles, no monsoon and with a leisurely pace and breaks it only took us 9 hours – not the standard 16 hours.
LarryD, Marty, Ray, Tuco, Bobby and myself met up at the Skookumchuck lot at about 6:45 and after the early morning greetings and insults we were on our way by 7am. The Skook is a very nice, scenic trail that meanders towards the Garfield Ridge Trail thru a thick forest. It is never steep and only has one notable scramble – within minutes of meeting the ridge. The brook follows along for a bit and the forest is very thick. No real views until nearing the ridge. For anyone interested (the guys I hiked with were NOT) there are a lot of toads on this trail, and occasional slug.
After that one minor slab/scramble there were some nice views to the north and back across the notch. The area as you top out has spectacular views into the Pemi, especially to the cliffs on the south side of Garfield and Owl’s Head. As if there was a schedule, the clouds started to roll in and that made the views sporadic. From this point there are a few false summits and North Lafayette to contend with en route to the true summit. It got a bit windy and cool – maybe around 50 degrees with a 20-30 mph wind – we put a layer on and pushed onto the masses on the summit.
Due to the crowds and lack of views we did not stay too long. We headed down to have lunch at Greenleaf Hut. After seeing no hikers all day on the Skook, we were over run on the way down to the hut – at least 100 were on their way up. After our break we headed out on some more red lining and we descended the Greenleaf Trail.
This trail was a bit on the wet side up high and it was not too bad, but it was a lot of having to watch where you step and try your best not to slip. The trail is over a mile shorter than Skook, so it is going to be more severe, but it is a pretty moderate route. It was all very walkable with no scrambles or butt slides required. The trail hits a real nice stretch at Eagle Cliffs where there are some spectacular rock formations and some really nice and unique views of Franconia Notch. The trail really never seemed to end – especially the last bit that parallels I-93 thru the notch. We finally made it – had our post hike ale and hit the road.
A great day with great friends. Lastly – best of luck to Tuco who departed for the three weeks on the John Muir Trail this morning. Look forward to hearing about it when he returns.
PICTURES
http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=8CauGbVozaKIKQ¬ag=1
…and to prove that I was there – Bobby’s pictures:
http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0IZNnDNozasX3w
I am afraid to say to all that read my reports there are not tales of utter horror in this report – a pretty great hike with a great bunch of guys – there are no bizarre incidents with hot beverages, no popping ankles, no monsoon and with a leisurely pace and breaks it only took us 9 hours – not the standard 16 hours.
LarryD, Marty, Ray, Tuco, Bobby and myself met up at the Skookumchuck lot at about 6:45 and after the early morning greetings and insults
we were on our way by 7am. The Skook is a very nice, scenic trail that meanders towards the Garfield Ridge Trail thru a thick forest. It is never steep and only has one notable scramble – within minutes of meeting the ridge. The brook follows along for a bit and the forest is very thick. No real views until nearing the ridge. For anyone interested (the guys I hiked with were NOT) there are a lot of toads on this trail, and occasional slug.After that one minor slab/scramble there were some nice views to the north and back across the notch. The area as you top out has spectacular views into the Pemi, especially to the cliffs on the south side of Garfield and Owl’s Head. As if there was a schedule, the clouds started to roll in and that made the views sporadic. From this point there are a few false summits and North Lafayette to contend with en route to the true summit. It got a bit windy and cool – maybe around 50 degrees with a 20-30 mph wind – we put a layer on and pushed onto the masses on the summit.
Due to the crowds and lack of views we did not stay too long. We headed down to have lunch at Greenleaf Hut. After seeing no hikers all day on the Skook, we were over run on the way down to the hut – at least 100 were on their way up. After our break we headed out on some more red lining and we descended the Greenleaf Trail.
This trail was a bit on the wet side up high and it was not too bad, but it was a lot of having to watch where you step and try your best not to slip. The trail is over a mile shorter than Skook, so it is going to be more severe, but it is a pretty moderate route. It was all very walkable with no scrambles or butt slides required. The trail hits a real nice stretch at Eagle Cliffs where there are some spectacular rock formations and some really nice and unique views of Franconia Notch. The trail really never seemed to end – especially the last bit that parallels I-93 thru the notch. We finally made it – had our post hike ale and hit the road.
A great day with great friends. Lastly – best of luck to Tuco who departed for the three weeks on the John Muir Trail this morning. Look forward to hearing about it when he returns.
PICTURES
http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=8CauGbVozaKIKQ¬ag=1
…and to prove that I was there – Bobby’s pictures:
http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0IZNnDNozasX3w
