U
Unregistered
Guest
Background: still residual flooding conditions from storms a couple of days prior. Some highway sections were reduced to one lane because of flooding, and there was one road closure with a short detour near Long Lake that was staffed with flagmen all weekend. Water on trails noticibly receded during the weekend.
Trail from Winter Trailhead to Lillian Brook Lean-To: gate was closed so first 1.9 miles is on private road to summer trailhead near Elk Lake Lodge. Several portions of closed road section were washed out due to recent flooding, but most were repaired by hike out on Sunday. From summer trailhead to Slide Brook, trail was wet/muddy but still partially frozen. Frost heave and sub-surface melting produced a very interesting "floating boulder" phenomenon -- when stepping on rocks, sometimes even rocks 2 ft in diameter, they would sink up to a foot under the frozen surface. One 100' section of trail was flooded and several bubbling springs could be seen feeding it, but it was possible detour around it. Hiking out on Sunday many boulders had sunk into holes leaving a crust above that looked like a normal trail (leaves, dirt, etc.) except that you could post-hole through it - alarming and potentially dangerous. Some trail sections still showed a snow spine, though it is rapidly melting. Closer to Slide Brook and then on to Lillian Brook the trails returned to normal wet spring conditions. Were rewarded on the hike out by a set of large moose tracks that we followed for a mile or two down the trail.
Trail from Slide Brook up to Macomb: some recent blowdown but not severe. Slide was wet with loose gravel and rocks of all sizes, with only the shaded southern (right) side retaining any snow/ice. Crossed quickly from entry on left side to right side where there is less loose material to dislodge. From top of slide to Macomb summit snow spine held up to boots with micro-spikes. Summit rock was snow-free and dry with great views to the west and north.
From Macomb to South Dix: snowshoes required down herd path to col, then micro-spikes/crampons up to summit. Still snow on actual summit, though rock ledge 30 ft south of summit was bare and dry, warm, & sunny with great views to south and east.
From South Dix to East Dix: snowshoes required throughout until rocky section below E. Dix summit. Last 0.1-0.2 miles to summit was bare rock with no snow or ice left.
Equipment: snowshoes were required on all north-facing slopes, and Kahtoola Micro-Spikes (or similar) were required or very useful on all other sections.
Summary: had all the mountains and trails to ourselves -- never saw another person, though a couple of other people did climb Macomb from the trailhead on Saturday. Beautiful weather all weekend -- clear skies and incredible views!
Trail from Winter Trailhead to Lillian Brook Lean-To: gate was closed so first 1.9 miles is on private road to summer trailhead near Elk Lake Lodge. Several portions of closed road section were washed out due to recent flooding, but most were repaired by hike out on Sunday. From summer trailhead to Slide Brook, trail was wet/muddy but still partially frozen. Frost heave and sub-surface melting produced a very interesting "floating boulder" phenomenon -- when stepping on rocks, sometimes even rocks 2 ft in diameter, they would sink up to a foot under the frozen surface. One 100' section of trail was flooded and several bubbling springs could be seen feeding it, but it was possible detour around it. Hiking out on Sunday many boulders had sunk into holes leaving a crust above that looked like a normal trail (leaves, dirt, etc.) except that you could post-hole through it - alarming and potentially dangerous. Some trail sections still showed a snow spine, though it is rapidly melting. Closer to Slide Brook and then on to Lillian Brook the trails returned to normal wet spring conditions. Were rewarded on the hike out by a set of large moose tracks that we followed for a mile or two down the trail.
Trail from Slide Brook up to Macomb: some recent blowdown but not severe. Slide was wet with loose gravel and rocks of all sizes, with only the shaded southern (right) side retaining any snow/ice. Crossed quickly from entry on left side to right side where there is less loose material to dislodge. From top of slide to Macomb summit snow spine held up to boots with micro-spikes. Summit rock was snow-free and dry with great views to the west and north.
From Macomb to South Dix: snowshoes required down herd path to col, then micro-spikes/crampons up to summit. Still snow on actual summit, though rock ledge 30 ft south of summit was bare and dry, warm, & sunny with great views to south and east.
From South Dix to East Dix: snowshoes required throughout until rocky section below E. Dix summit. Last 0.1-0.2 miles to summit was bare rock with no snow or ice left.
Equipment: snowshoes were required on all north-facing slopes, and Kahtoola Micro-Spikes (or similar) were required or very useful on all other sections.
Summary: had all the mountains and trails to ourselves -- never saw another person, though a couple of other people did climb Macomb from the trailhead on Saturday. Beautiful weather all weekend -- clear skies and incredible views!
