BIGEarl
Well-known member
May 19, 2012: Nancy
Trails: Nancy Pond Trail, Mt. Nancy Herd Path
Summits: Nancy
Hikers: Trail Trotter (Sue) and me
We’re finished with our grid hiking for May and decided to take care of some clean-up on the NEHH list we both have sitting on the back burner. We were also looking at Goose Eye but it’s a long drive for such a short day. We may plan to combine it with Cabot on our next visit to the Berlin area.
We reached the trailhead lot for Nancy Pond Trail and found a few vehicles already there. A pair of hikers with a Vermont vehicle set off as we were parking to get ready for the day. Except for being a little warmer than we really needed, the conditions for the day were perfect. As we were taking care of final prep the black flies moved in. Sue got out the spray but I just kept moving. I was pretty sure once we got on the trail, a breeze and steady movement would relieve the problem, which it did.
The trail is generally clear and dry all of the way from the trailhead to the “No Camping” sign. We found a small amount of mud near the ponds but it’s nothing to cause a concern. We made our way up the early part of the trail enjoying a light breeze and cool morning temperature; past the WMNF boundary marker, across Nancy Brook, and on to the base of the cascades with an occasional stop for a drink or to enjoy the scenery. Sections of the trail are pretty rocky and there are a couple places where there was significant erosion probably as a result of Tropical Storm Irene.
We spent a little extra time at the cascades on the way through. This is a beautiful place with the nice pool at the bottom. Both Sue and I got pictures and videos of the cascades and surrounding area. After a while we got back on-trail and back into the hike. We made our way through the 700 feet of switchbacks that lead from the bottom of the cascades to the elevation of Nancy and Norcross ponds. It’s a good climb but the switchbacks make it an enjoyable climb. On top of the cascades we found sunny and warm conditions with a light breeze that managed to take care of the black flies. There were signs of wildlife everywhere from moose and beaver. Out on the pond we enjoyed a pair of loon and as we were passing along Norcross Pond a merganser flew through. Also as we were passing along Norcross Pond there was a very large black bird that flew south-to-north and landed on the top of a tree at the far end of the pond. I watched it as it flew past and estimate the wingspan to be at least five feet; it was huge. I have no idea what it was.
We reached the “No Camping” sign and looked over our right shoulders; there was the herd path to lead us to the summit. We nearly reversed direction, followed the herd path to the fork, went left, and started up. The early walk to the slide is a moderate climb. At the slide we made the right turn and started climbing. There are a few minor switchbacks along the way but this route has a great deal of straight up in it. We climbed and made stops as they were needed. Eventually, we found the grade moderate, we could see the sky without looking straight up, and then we were standing on the northeast viewpoint.
After enjoying the place for a while we wandered the summit area looking for remains of the canister that was there on my previous visit. Unfortunately, we found nothing, not a trace. (leave no trace canister removal by the USFS?) Oh well, we got our summit pictures at the viewpoint, enjoyed the black flies for as long as we could, and started down.
It’s interesting how a steep climb is often less unpleasant than a steep descent over the same route. We carefully made our way down and before long were passing the bottom of the slide and moving into the section of the herd path that had a moderate grade. A few minutes later and we were back to the “No Camping” sign. On our pass through the area earlier, neither of us took the time for pictures but now we decided to document the area, a little.
With the pictures captured we set off for the remainder of our exit walk. We cruised along the ponds, hit the switchbacks that would ease us down to the base of the cascades and the beautiful pool at the bottom, and then the very rocky section of trail before the easy final walk out. Along the way Sue demonstrated the degree to which she is going through snowman withdrawal by building a “stone snowman” as we hiked through the very rocky section of trail. I didn’t mind; the black flies weren’t too bad and the break felt good. Sue finished with her stone creation, got the usual pictures, and headed for the truck.
Generally on the expected schedule, we stepped into the trailhead parking area. We packed and made a run to the Highland Center for a quick stop before continuing our drive south. While there we observed a very busy helicopter doing laps between the field (staging area) in Crawford Notch and Mizpah (I assume) with supplies for the season. I’m sure it isn’t a cheap process but that helicopter pilot and ground crew were making sure the AMC got their money’s worth from the effort.
I’ve posted some pictures from the day.
BIGEarl's Pictures
Straight to the slideshow
Trails: Nancy Pond Trail, Mt. Nancy Herd Path
Summits: Nancy
Hikers: Trail Trotter (Sue) and me
We’re finished with our grid hiking for May and decided to take care of some clean-up on the NEHH list we both have sitting on the back burner. We were also looking at Goose Eye but it’s a long drive for such a short day. We may plan to combine it with Cabot on our next visit to the Berlin area.
We reached the trailhead lot for Nancy Pond Trail and found a few vehicles already there. A pair of hikers with a Vermont vehicle set off as we were parking to get ready for the day. Except for being a little warmer than we really needed, the conditions for the day were perfect. As we were taking care of final prep the black flies moved in. Sue got out the spray but I just kept moving. I was pretty sure once we got on the trail, a breeze and steady movement would relieve the problem, which it did.
The trail is generally clear and dry all of the way from the trailhead to the “No Camping” sign. We found a small amount of mud near the ponds but it’s nothing to cause a concern. We made our way up the early part of the trail enjoying a light breeze and cool morning temperature; past the WMNF boundary marker, across Nancy Brook, and on to the base of the cascades with an occasional stop for a drink or to enjoy the scenery. Sections of the trail are pretty rocky and there are a couple places where there was significant erosion probably as a result of Tropical Storm Irene.
We spent a little extra time at the cascades on the way through. This is a beautiful place with the nice pool at the bottom. Both Sue and I got pictures and videos of the cascades and surrounding area. After a while we got back on-trail and back into the hike. We made our way through the 700 feet of switchbacks that lead from the bottom of the cascades to the elevation of Nancy and Norcross ponds. It’s a good climb but the switchbacks make it an enjoyable climb. On top of the cascades we found sunny and warm conditions with a light breeze that managed to take care of the black flies. There were signs of wildlife everywhere from moose and beaver. Out on the pond we enjoyed a pair of loon and as we were passing along Norcross Pond a merganser flew through. Also as we were passing along Norcross Pond there was a very large black bird that flew south-to-north and landed on the top of a tree at the far end of the pond. I watched it as it flew past and estimate the wingspan to be at least five feet; it was huge. I have no idea what it was.
We reached the “No Camping” sign and looked over our right shoulders; there was the herd path to lead us to the summit. We nearly reversed direction, followed the herd path to the fork, went left, and started up. The early walk to the slide is a moderate climb. At the slide we made the right turn and started climbing. There are a few minor switchbacks along the way but this route has a great deal of straight up in it. We climbed and made stops as they were needed. Eventually, we found the grade moderate, we could see the sky without looking straight up, and then we were standing on the northeast viewpoint.
After enjoying the place for a while we wandered the summit area looking for remains of the canister that was there on my previous visit. Unfortunately, we found nothing, not a trace. (leave no trace canister removal by the USFS?) Oh well, we got our summit pictures at the viewpoint, enjoyed the black flies for as long as we could, and started down.
It’s interesting how a steep climb is often less unpleasant than a steep descent over the same route. We carefully made our way down and before long were passing the bottom of the slide and moving into the section of the herd path that had a moderate grade. A few minutes later and we were back to the “No Camping” sign. On our pass through the area earlier, neither of us took the time for pictures but now we decided to document the area, a little.
With the pictures captured we set off for the remainder of our exit walk. We cruised along the ponds, hit the switchbacks that would ease us down to the base of the cascades and the beautiful pool at the bottom, and then the very rocky section of trail before the easy final walk out. Along the way Sue demonstrated the degree to which she is going through snowman withdrawal by building a “stone snowman” as we hiked through the very rocky section of trail. I didn’t mind; the black flies weren’t too bad and the break felt good. Sue finished with her stone creation, got the usual pictures, and headed for the truck.
Generally on the expected schedule, we stepped into the trailhead parking area. We packed and made a run to the Highland Center for a quick stop before continuing our drive south. While there we observed a very busy helicopter doing laps between the field (staging area) in Crawford Notch and Mizpah (I assume) with supplies for the season. I’m sure it isn’t a cheap process but that helicopter pilot and ground crew were making sure the AMC got their money’s worth from the effort.
I’ve posted some pictures from the day.
BIGEarl's Pictures
Straight to the slideshow
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