blaze
Active member
Route: ascent via Howker Ridge and Osgood. Descent via Watson Path, Brookside and Kelton.
Date of hike: Sunday 11/2
Trail Conditions: there is some snow and ice, primarily above 4000'. we encountered a few patches of thick ice ascending Howker Ridge - glad we were going up vs. down. The bouldery upper stretch of Watson Path was a bit tricky on descent due to snow, and the smallish cairns were hard to spot in places. All stream crossings manageable with care, but some rocks were glazed with ice.
Special Equipment Required: trekking poles very helpful. We all brought stabilicers or crampons, but most of us chose to bareboot.
Comments: This is a rewarding loop, our first time on these trails for most of us. Numerous waterfalls to enjoy on the lower stretches, great views higher up. We lounged 40+ minutes on the summit, cool temps but only a light breeze.
Thanks Kathy, Kevin, Hikinurs, and Daymond for a wonderful day.
photos www.pbase.com/jonathantr
"Has joy any survival value in the operations of evolution? I suspect that it does; I suspect that the morose and fearful are doomed to quick extinction."
- Ed Abbey
Date of hike: Sunday 11/2
Trail Conditions: there is some snow and ice, primarily above 4000'. we encountered a few patches of thick ice ascending Howker Ridge - glad we were going up vs. down. The bouldery upper stretch of Watson Path was a bit tricky on descent due to snow, and the smallish cairns were hard to spot in places. All stream crossings manageable with care, but some rocks were glazed with ice.
Special Equipment Required: trekking poles very helpful. We all brought stabilicers or crampons, but most of us chose to bareboot.
Comments: This is a rewarding loop, our first time on these trails for most of us. Numerous waterfalls to enjoy on the lower stretches, great views higher up. We lounged 40+ minutes on the summit, cool temps but only a light breeze.
Thanks Kathy, Kevin, Hikinurs, and Daymond for a wonderful day.
photos www.pbase.com/jonathantr
"Has joy any survival value in the operations of evolution? I suspect that it does; I suspect that the morose and fearful are doomed to quick extinction."
- Ed Abbey
