One Hale of a hike!

[rocksnrolls]

Sunday Sept 2nd

the plan: Fire Warden's Tr to Mt Hale, whack to East Hale, descend via Lend-A-Hand and Zealand Trs

the group: NewHampshire and The Jeneral, SilentCal and Grace, Amicus, ScenicNh, Dougeh, rlc (the only Hale virgin in the group), Dugan and me

the result: well, we saw the herd path starting the Fire Warden's Tr, but thought it was too soon for it to be the right place (having heard that several false herd paths were around). So we continued on the herd path/river crossing bypass for quite a while. Eventually we realized we were about 500' higher in elevation than we should be. And we had pretty much reached the end of the herd path along the river. We decided to just head up the side of the mountain along a bearing that should take us to the Lend-A-Hand Tr eventually (not wanting to retrace our steps). It was a nice bushwhack really. The vegetation was lush but not hard to get through. Luckily it was dry, even the dew had evaporated so we did not get soaked. It was pretty steep at times, but never dangerously so. Getting near the ridge thick spruce started to dominate the landscape, but ScenicNH did a great job leading us through it. Even those of us in shorts didn't get too banged up! Along the way we intersected a couple stretches of what looked like old logging roads or maybe even old trails (even spotted one blazed tree) but they were always heading the wrong way...

Eventually we passed a camping spot with a grown-in fire ring and were soon breaking out in to the trail. Sadly nobody was there to witness our emergence

We spent a good amount of time on the Hale summit, snacking, chatting with Tom and Atticus, and recuperating from our adventure. Well, the tough part was still to come. Rlc, Grace and Jen decided to hang out on the summit while the rest of us attempted East Hale. Attempt was the truth. We didn't quite manage to get there. The thickish spruce made for slow going and while we were on track, we had gotten a much later start on the whack than planned. Our climb up Hale (and starting onto the trail at almost 10 am) had taken quite some time. We realized as we neared the col that it was turning into much later a day than we had planned. SilentCal and Dougeh both scaled trees to get a view of how far we had to go, and despite their assurances that we were getting close, the decision was reached to turn back and give it a try some other day.

Back at the summit we rested for another while and then easily found the start of the Fire Warden Tr down. We stopped to enjoy the amazing views of the Presis and the Rosebrook Range on the way down. The Fire Warden's Tr is a beautiful hike, well worth checking out for an alternate way to (or from ) Hale.Reaching the bottom we saw where we had missed the trail and it was pretty obvious in retrospect .

It was an easy walk from there back to the car and we all agreed it was quite a fun adventure. Not according to plan, sure - but a great time in the mountains nevertheless!

 

[Amicus]

Eventually we passed a camping spot with a grown-in fire ring and were soon breaking out in to the trail. Sadly nobody was there to witness our emergence

I did, however, take a waypoint on my ancient eTrex at the spot we popped out onto the Lend-a-Hand Trail, about 300 vertical feet below the Hale summit, and in the unlikely event anyone cares, I could dig it up.

This was certainly an unusual route, but a fun day. The East Hale shrubbery was slower going than the easy stuff we lucked into on our impromptu 'whack up the west flank of Hale, but not too bad, so I'll definitely be back for those view ledges.

A good group to get lost with! I was too busy admiring the undergrowth to think about my camera much, but did take a couple of snaps.

 

[dr_wu002]

Along the way we intersected a couple stretches of what looked like old logging roads or maybe even old trails (even spotted one blazed tree) but they were always heading the wrong way...

I find that when I'm bushwhacking in the middle of nowhere and I find a road, I follow it, even if it's going in the wrong direction. Worst thing that can happen is that it drops me off in the middle of nowhere again.

The FW Road comes into the Trail about 0.2 after you skip the first Little River Crossing (and stay to the left side of the stream). That area is kind of muddy now and people usually avoid that, turning left a few 100' prior when the grade is obviously coming down, parallel, to the left. If you find yourself back on the official "North Twin Trail" you've gone too far.

The fern-whacking looks kinda fun though!

-Dr. Wu

 

[NewHampshire]

This was one fun day despite all the things going a bit askew of the best laid plans. I would not have traded a single member of this group.....it was the best cast of characters for this sort of "off the wall" trip. Indeed the ipromptu 'whack up the west side was very fun. I spent a few years bumming around the hardwoods and mixed woods of Southern NH deer hunting, but this was a whole new experience tat I enjoyed very much. While I can't picture myself doing something murderous like Scar Ridge, with no real reward (i.e. view or historical incentive), I think more bushwacking will be in my future!

East Hale.....I ain't done with you yet!!!!

Brian

 

[Mohamed Ellozy]

One approach to South Hale that you might have used after missing the Firewarden's Trail (Bill Bowden may wish to comment on it) is up the Little River, then bushwhack to South Hale, down to Lend a Hand, and out via Hale summit and Firewarden's Trail.