A
AlpineSummit
Guest
You just know your day is going to be a good one when you arrive early at the Garden and claim the last parking spot! With that kind of good fortune, the tiny amount of rain still lingering in the air has no chance at all to spoil your day as you have been blessed.
So, along with a friend from Mass., a flatlander who’s been working on her tan all summer, we set off on the march to Haystack on the Phelps Trail. Quickly reaching JBL with the smell of breakfast in the air, we munched out a bit on the porch and watched the skies slowly improving – yea baby! Bushnell Falls and Slant Rock came & went and the climbing began. Views slowly opened up, starting with Point Balk, soon Big Slide, and after some steep climbing we gained the Range Trail – time to get excited folks! After a short and steep walk, the first look at the Haystack combo appeared and our flatlander friend’s jaw dropped at the stunning sight. Then the question: “Do we have to climb up and over Little Haystack to get there?” Oh yea…. Meanwhile the skies had taken on a pale blue and were rippled with thin, wispy clouds – near perfect conditions.
http://groups.msn.com/dacks/thedacks.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=460
We picked our way up and over the little one and soon were into the tiny wooded col that lies between it and the Mighty Haystack proper. Much rubbernecking was had as the views are remarkable all along that route. I hurried ahead to catch a shot of them as they triumphantly summitted the gem of the High Peaks!
http://groups.msn.com/dacks/thedacks.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=461
Our usual summit loitering thus commenced - Let the feast begin!. More than the usual share of summit pics were taken too.
http://groups.msn.com/dacks/thedacks.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=465
Then, the Mrs. curled up and took care of some serious business.
http://groups.msn.com/dacks/thedacks.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=462
Mrs. Alpine got a first-hand look at her next peak – Basin Mt – and contemplated the challenge of reaching that summit.
http://groups.msn.com/dacks/thedacks.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=464
All too soon, it was time to leave and we took a last look around – I decided right there and then that I’m going to climb Haystack every year, on a perfect day of course. We very slowly made our way back to the Range Trail and then carefully picked our way down the stream-like trail to Slant Rock for a kwik break. I changed my socks – oooh, what a feelin’.
The walk out was long, but pleasantly satisfying in that tired and thoroughly triumphant way, and we managed to beat the setting sun back to the Garden parking lot. The cooler was attacked, ice-cold Cokes for us and the traditional jar o’wine for the Mrs.
A short ride home, showers for all, and by 10 pm we were eating scallops & shrimp wrapped in bacon right off ‘ol Smokey Joe on the deck. The Captain made a cameo appearance too, along with somebody named Molson. Sleep came easily.
A great day, a fantastic summit, good company with our flatlander friend, and most notable - # 44 for Mrs. Alpine. Watch out Basin Mt.. Dunno exactly when she’s going after you, but you are next!
http://groups.msn.com/dacks/thedacks.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=463
So, along with a friend from Mass., a flatlander who’s been working on her tan all summer, we set off on the march to Haystack on the Phelps Trail. Quickly reaching JBL with the smell of breakfast in the air, we munched out a bit on the porch and watched the skies slowly improving – yea baby! Bushnell Falls and Slant Rock came & went and the climbing began. Views slowly opened up, starting with Point Balk, soon Big Slide, and after some steep climbing we gained the Range Trail – time to get excited folks! After a short and steep walk, the first look at the Haystack combo appeared and our flatlander friend’s jaw dropped at the stunning sight. Then the question: “Do we have to climb up and over Little Haystack to get there?” Oh yea…. Meanwhile the skies had taken on a pale blue and were rippled with thin, wispy clouds – near perfect conditions.
http://groups.msn.com/dacks/thedacks.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=460
We picked our way up and over the little one and soon were into the tiny wooded col that lies between it and the Mighty Haystack proper. Much rubbernecking was had as the views are remarkable all along that route. I hurried ahead to catch a shot of them as they triumphantly summitted the gem of the High Peaks!
http://groups.msn.com/dacks/thedacks.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=461
Our usual summit loitering thus commenced - Let the feast begin!. More than the usual share of summit pics were taken too.
http://groups.msn.com/dacks/thedacks.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=465
Then, the Mrs. curled up and took care of some serious business.
http://groups.msn.com/dacks/thedacks.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=462
Mrs. Alpine got a first-hand look at her next peak – Basin Mt – and contemplated the challenge of reaching that summit.
http://groups.msn.com/dacks/thedacks.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=464
All too soon, it was time to leave and we took a last look around – I decided right there and then that I’m going to climb Haystack every year, on a perfect day of course. We very slowly made our way back to the Range Trail and then carefully picked our way down the stream-like trail to Slant Rock for a kwik break. I changed my socks – oooh, what a feelin’.
The walk out was long, but pleasantly satisfying in that tired and thoroughly triumphant way, and we managed to beat the setting sun back to the Garden parking lot. The cooler was attacked, ice-cold Cokes for us and the traditional jar o’wine for the Mrs.
A short ride home, showers for all, and by 10 pm we were eating scallops & shrimp wrapped in bacon right off ‘ol Smokey Joe on the deck. The Captain made a cameo appearance too, along with somebody named Molson. Sleep came easily.
A great day, a fantastic summit, good company with our flatlander friend, and most notable - # 44 for Mrs. Alpine. Watch out Basin Mt.. Dunno exactly when she’s going after you, but you are next!
http://groups.msn.com/dacks/thedacks.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=463
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