MacNaughton/McNaughton - McNailed!

[Tom Rankin]

I will start out by saying that we got very lucky! We went to MacNaughton and back (9/1), and we did not get our boots wet! Some previous hikers of this mountain might find this statement impossible to believe, but it was very dry. There were still lots of mud wallows but we managed to find ways around them. We crossed the stream between the 2 Wallface ponds on the old beaver dam with ease. We managed to skirt around the swamp. The whack up was not bad as whacks go. A few blowdowns here and there, but not too bad. When we got to the summit ridge, we built ourselves a teepee made of 3 sticks in the middle of the herd path so we would know where we came up. After about 1-2 minutes of walking, we found the sign! And the views up there were great! Beautiful weather and clear skies, with a light breeze!

For completeness, we started at the Loj around 7:30, and arrived at the end of the trail by the first Wallface pond around 11:20. From here, the deteriorating trail turns into a true herd path. We crossed the beaver dam and then had lunch. It's about 7 miles to this point. There are numerous herd paths from here but they all seem to end, so we just went up, angling to the right, at about magnetic 240. The whack from here lasted about 3 hours. It's about 900' of climbing over .8 miles. We started back around 3:10 and got back around 6:45. We saw Cory in the Trail Register when we signed out, heading to Lost Pond. Did you make it?

I'll post some pics tonight.

 

[Peakbagr]

Nice going, Tom and Laurie. Interesting trip report and I'm looking forward to the photos.

Alan

 

[Tom Rankin]

Nice going, Tom and Laurie. Interesting trip report...

I just want to add that in spite of the dry conditions, there are numerous places to get water. So, we traveled light, with just 1 bottle per person, and treated several times along the way.

 

[Paradox]

well done!

 

[JoeCedar]

Congratulations, Tom and Laurie

Nice job!

You picked the right season. For 7 months it is deepest-snow country, and for three months it is the bug capital of the world. But for August and September, it is one of the most beautiful places around!

 

[hermit]

Congratulations Tom and Laurie,
I had the pleasure of hiking MacNaughton in 2001 with my 46r correspondent Tom F.and some other companions for my #47.It was one of my favorites.

 

[audrey]

Good for you,Tom and Laurie. Next year at Spence's bash, I vow to do it and not to be such a MacChicken.

 

[Tom Rankin]

Pics:

http://viewsandbrews.com/temp/DSC06273.JPG - Heart Lake and the Macs
http://viewsandbrews.com/temp/DSC06276.JPG - Trillium seeds
http://viewsandbrews.com/temp/DSC06278.JPG - Scott Clearing
http://viewsandbrews.com/temp/DSC06282.JPG - That other pond!
http://viewsandbrews.com/temp/DSC06283.JPG - Bottle Gentian
http://viewsandbrews.com/temp/DSC06285.JPG - Yet another Pond
http://viewsandbrews.com/temp/DSC06289.JPG - That's the Trail!?
http://viewsandbrews.com/temp/DSC06290.JPG - Wallface Pond #1 and McN
http://viewsandbrews.com/temp/DSC06295.JPG - I'll be Dammed!
http://viewsandbrews.com/temp/DSC06299.JPG - View from the Top
http://viewsandbrews.com/temp/DSC06302.JPG - Sawtooths ?
http://viewsandbrews.com/temp/DSC06304.JPG - Distant Whiteface
http://viewsandbrews.com/temp/DSC06307.JPG - Tom on Top
http://viewsandbrews.com/temp/DSC06308.JPG - Laurie on Top
http://viewsandbrews.com/temp/DSC06312.JPG - All 3 Wallface Ponds
http://viewsandbrews.com/temp/DSC06315.JPG - Wright and Big Al
http://viewsandbrews.com/temp/DSC06318.JPG - End of the Day

 

[ColdRiverRun]

... got back around 6:45. We saw Cory in the Trail Register when we signed out, heading to Lost Pond. Did you make it?

Yup, I stayed at BlackSpruce's and got up at 5:30, ate relaxed drank coffee in the leanto in their yard and watched the sun rise light up Giant and Rocky.

Then I realized their neighbors dog took one of my shoes. Waited until they got up at 8:10 to find out the best way to get it back. Finally left at 9:10 and signed the register at 10:10 and read for awhile for names I knew. Totally surprised to see your guys names for Micky and thought about changing plans. But I knew you guys are early starters and I was way behind.

So with my late start I decided I was going to just do Lost Pond and a lot of exploring around for routes and cool finds and relax as much as possible taking a bunch of breaks, 45 minutes on the top. Amazing day, great views, just fantastic overall. Nice stroll out and singed again at 5:30. Saw you guys hadn't signed out and thought about walking back towards you but the long ride home and having to get up at 1:15am sent me packin'. Glad to hear you made it and I knew the views all day would slow you down to about 12 hours or so, so concern never crossed my mind.

 

[Steve-o]

Way to McNail it !

Did this hike a few years ago, as an encore to the 46.
Only we were camped at scotts clearing!

Glad you had dry conditions. I don't remember the BW being that long, but, we certainly had our share of running water on the trail, and boot-sucking mud.
Topped it off, by driving home via. McNeil's in brattleboro,vt. for a couple McDrinks! Oh yeah, don't get the " bucksnort barlywine " if you plan on driving!

 

[Tom Rankin]

Topped it off, by driving home via. McNeil's in brattleboro,vt. for a couple McDrinks! Oh yeah, don't get the " bucksnort barlywine " if you plan on driving!

McNeil's rocks!