Silverfox
New member
Wow..there sure have been some very adventurous trip reports out there..Good job to all for sure for these great hikes..
Today in NH it looked like another rainy afternoon so I settled on close by Moosilauke via a new route for me, the Benton Trail. We arrived at the trailhead under high clouds..a bit hazy and humid but no sign of rain and hit the trail around 9:00. The brook crossing on this route is labeled as difficult with high water and it sure would cause problems at times but today the flow was low and the slabs while damp were above water and presented no obstacle..
Soon the the trail begins a long steady but gradual ascent mostly through hardwoods with an occaisional sprucey spot. Based on previous weeks experience we were prepared for mud but this trailbed very dry excepting a few short wet spots just before the first viewpoint of the day..a ledge perched high on a shoulder with nice view to the north.
After the viewpoint the climbing began again on a soft carpet of needles as we had reentered an evergreen forest.. This trail very lightly used as evidenced by no erosion to speak of..very little bare rock showing..hardly any mud..it was like being transported back in time. Past a fine flowing sping at around 4000 feet the trail narrowed and could use some brushing out though the footbed remained delightful.. A couple of fern filled blow down patched announced that we had reached a ridge and sure enough we soon hit the junction with beaver Brook Trail. From here to treeline the trail was a bit rough with lots of loose rock..we chatted with a couple of thru hikers with ambitious goals of finishing by 8/14 and wished them luck on their journey.
The trail bursts into the open and winds along a line of cairns towards the summit rocks.. we arrived as 2 folks were headed down Glencliff Trail..a few others popped up from Gorge Brook but no crowds on the summit today despite warm temps..light winds..and NO RAIN at this point. The views were good though hazy in all directions..dawdling abit over lunch we started to chill a bit and headed back down. As enjoyable as the Benton Trail was for ascent it was at least as much for the descent with good soft footing most of the way..the lack of mud appreciated..We made quick time back to the car and arrived just around 1:00 when the first few drops of rain started to fall.
Sure enough by the time we were on 93south it was pouring and there was quite a downpour in the Meredith area.. Good hike on a new trail to me that I would visit again..maybe Nephew Ben will take this route to Moose in August..
Thanks to Grumpygran and Finn for the company
a few mundane pics at
http://www.flickr.com/photos/silverfox777/sets/72157621768379514/
Today in NH it looked like another rainy afternoon so I settled on close by Moosilauke via a new route for me, the Benton Trail. We arrived at the trailhead under high clouds..a bit hazy and humid but no sign of rain and hit the trail around 9:00. The brook crossing on this route is labeled as difficult with high water and it sure would cause problems at times but today the flow was low and the slabs while damp were above water and presented no obstacle..
Soon the the trail begins a long steady but gradual ascent mostly through hardwoods with an occaisional sprucey spot. Based on previous weeks experience we were prepared for mud but this trailbed very dry excepting a few short wet spots just before the first viewpoint of the day..a ledge perched high on a shoulder with nice view to the north.
After the viewpoint the climbing began again on a soft carpet of needles as we had reentered an evergreen forest.. This trail very lightly used as evidenced by no erosion to speak of..very little bare rock showing..hardly any mud..it was like being transported back in time. Past a fine flowing sping at around 4000 feet the trail narrowed and could use some brushing out though the footbed remained delightful.. A couple of fern filled blow down patched announced that we had reached a ridge and sure enough we soon hit the junction with beaver Brook Trail. From here to treeline the trail was a bit rough with lots of loose rock..we chatted with a couple of thru hikers with ambitious goals of finishing by 8/14 and wished them luck on their journey.
The trail bursts into the open and winds along a line of cairns towards the summit rocks.. we arrived as 2 folks were headed down Glencliff Trail..a few others popped up from Gorge Brook but no crowds on the summit today despite warm temps..light winds..and NO RAIN at this point. The views were good though hazy in all directions..dawdling abit over lunch we started to chill a bit and headed back down. As enjoyable as the Benton Trail was for ascent it was at least as much for the descent with good soft footing most of the way..the lack of mud appreciated..We made quick time back to the car and arrived just around 1:00 when the first few drops of rain started to fall.
Sure enough by the time we were on 93south it was pouring and there was quite a downpour in the Meredith area.. Good hike on a new trail to me that I would visit again..maybe Nephew Ben will take this route to Moose in August..
Thanks to Grumpygran and Finn for the company
a few mundane pics at
http://www.flickr.com/photos/silverfox777/sets/72157621768379514/
It was a bit tricky a few weeks ago.
