BIGEarl
Well-known member
“I love it when a plan comes together.”
Col. John "Hannibal" Smith
The plan: Simple, hike Sandwich Dome and get the most from a questionable day.
The weather forecast on Friday, April 15 called for a rainy start to Saturday but improving conditions starting approximately 9:00am, with continuing improvement throughout the day.
Our approach was planned to be Sandwich Mountain Trail, round trip. We decided to do the Drakes Brook Trail – Sandwich Mountain Trail loop – clockwise. This change would give us a little more distance and scenery. We, Steve and I, set off at just before 9:00am on the Drakes Brook Trail.
The hiking conditions were nearly summer-like. The trail was clear of snow and ice, no mud, in fact dry and solid footing. What a start. I think we both wondered how long it would last. The sky was overcast but the rain that was in the area until a little after 8:00am had left. At the stream crossing we had no problems at all. The water wasn’t high and we made the crossing with dry feet. Considering the people involved, nice surprise! After the crossing we started to encounter our first ice. Sporadic patches but easily hiked around and no real concern. When we reached approximately 2,500 feet the trail had become completely covered in ice, wet, slippery ice. We both had crampons but they stayed in our packs and we continued on. Hiking carefully to avoid a fall made us slow our progress but this was a short hike and we had time to spare. We had a number of close calls but neither of us went down. We made it to the Sandwich Mountain Trail and turned left toward Sandwich Dome.
With the weather forecast, conditions later should be improved so we decided to take the side-trip to Jennings Peak on the way out. The overcast and fog left no view and no good reason for the side trip at that time.
We continued on the Sandwich Mountain Trail past the spur to Jennings Peak, past Smarts Brook Trail, past Algonquin Trail (which meant we were getting close). Nearly all of the way was ice covered and often dangerously slick. The crampons stayed in our packs, however. When we came to Bennett Street Trail I knew we were really close, and the conditions were rapidly improving. Upon completing the remaining 20 yard trek to the summit we found the sky cooperating and we enjoyed some very nice views north past the Osceolas and east past Whiteface and Passaconaway. We had a light breeze and warm temperature. Definitely a great day to be hiking!
After a few minutes we made the u-turn and headed back down the icy trail to Jennings Peak. Back down Sandwich Mountain Trail to the spur trail to Jennings Peak, a left turn, and .2 mile hike to the sun-warmed ledges of Jennings Peak. We had the place to ourselves. Here we stopped for some refreshments and sat for a while on the ledges to enjoy the day. From our vantage point, no signs of civilization were visible. We had a nice warm light breeze and, best of all, no mosquitoes, black flies, horse flies or any of the other pests that are in the near future.
All good things must come to an end and so did this stop. We were off to the Sandwich Mountain Trail and back down to the trailhead parking. Along the way we passed a few more folks out to enjoy a day in the woods, four going up and two going down. At the lookouts near Noon Peak we stopped to enjoy the views over Waterville Valley and back to Sandwich Dome. Upon clearing Noon Peak, the icy conditions stayed with us back to 2,500 feet and we had a few more close calls. But, the crampons stayed in our packs. Finally back on firm, dry trail we picked up the pace. Thirty minutes of knee pounding reminded me of how enjoyable Winter hiking is, especially on the downhill sections where there is no knee abuse and a gentle slide with almost every step. Oh well, winter will be back before we know it.
We arrived at the brook crossing and quickly looked at the brook for the best place to head across. We also noticed how close the road was and decided not to tempt fate. Short direct walks to the road, then a short road-walk to the trailhead parking, and our feet were still dry.
I think we got the most from a questionable day.
As the man said - “I love it when a plan comes together.”
Col. John "Hannibal" Smith
The plan: Simple, hike Sandwich Dome and get the most from a questionable day.
The weather forecast on Friday, April 15 called for a rainy start to Saturday but improving conditions starting approximately 9:00am, with continuing improvement throughout the day.
Our approach was planned to be Sandwich Mountain Trail, round trip. We decided to do the Drakes Brook Trail – Sandwich Mountain Trail loop – clockwise. This change would give us a little more distance and scenery. We, Steve and I, set off at just before 9:00am on the Drakes Brook Trail.
The hiking conditions were nearly summer-like. The trail was clear of snow and ice, no mud, in fact dry and solid footing. What a start. I think we both wondered how long it would last. The sky was overcast but the rain that was in the area until a little after 8:00am had left. At the stream crossing we had no problems at all. The water wasn’t high and we made the crossing with dry feet. Considering the people involved, nice surprise! After the crossing we started to encounter our first ice. Sporadic patches but easily hiked around and no real concern. When we reached approximately 2,500 feet the trail had become completely covered in ice, wet, slippery ice. We both had crampons but they stayed in our packs and we continued on. Hiking carefully to avoid a fall made us slow our progress but this was a short hike and we had time to spare. We had a number of close calls but neither of us went down. We made it to the Sandwich Mountain Trail and turned left toward Sandwich Dome.
With the weather forecast, conditions later should be improved so we decided to take the side-trip to Jennings Peak on the way out. The overcast and fog left no view and no good reason for the side trip at that time.
We continued on the Sandwich Mountain Trail past the spur to Jennings Peak, past Smarts Brook Trail, past Algonquin Trail (which meant we were getting close). Nearly all of the way was ice covered and often dangerously slick. The crampons stayed in our packs, however. When we came to Bennett Street Trail I knew we were really close, and the conditions were rapidly improving. Upon completing the remaining 20 yard trek to the summit we found the sky cooperating and we enjoyed some very nice views north past the Osceolas and east past Whiteface and Passaconaway. We had a light breeze and warm temperature. Definitely a great day to be hiking!
After a few minutes we made the u-turn and headed back down the icy trail to Jennings Peak. Back down Sandwich Mountain Trail to the spur trail to Jennings Peak, a left turn, and .2 mile hike to the sun-warmed ledges of Jennings Peak. We had the place to ourselves. Here we stopped for some refreshments and sat for a while on the ledges to enjoy the day. From our vantage point, no signs of civilization were visible. We had a nice warm light breeze and, best of all, no mosquitoes, black flies, horse flies or any of the other pests that are in the near future.
All good things must come to an end and so did this stop. We were off to the Sandwich Mountain Trail and back down to the trailhead parking. Along the way we passed a few more folks out to enjoy a day in the woods, four going up and two going down. At the lookouts near Noon Peak we stopped to enjoy the views over Waterville Valley and back to Sandwich Dome. Upon clearing Noon Peak, the icy conditions stayed with us back to 2,500 feet and we had a few more close calls. But, the crampons stayed in our packs. Finally back on firm, dry trail we picked up the pace. Thirty minutes of knee pounding reminded me of how enjoyable Winter hiking is, especially on the downhill sections where there is no knee abuse and a gentle slide with almost every step. Oh well, winter will be back before we know it.
We arrived at the brook crossing and quickly looked at the brook for the best place to head across. We also noticed how close the road was and decided not to tempt fate. Short direct walks to the road, then a short road-walk to the trailhead parking, and our feet were still dry.
I think we got the most from a questionable day.
As the man said - “I love it when a plan comes together.”
