Jazzbo
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- Jan 1, 2005
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Looking for company to work off turkey, writer posted trip to VFTT and teamed up with Hunter (Brad) for what turned out to be a superb day to be out on the trail. I was unaware I had hiked with Brad prior to this exactly one year ago on Thanksgiving weekend when I hiked with a large party who showed up for show and go up Mousilauke posted by Bob & Geri.
The bank thermometer indicated it 20 deg F when I left the Hikers Paradise in Gorham to meet up with Hunter aka Brad at the 19 Mile Brook TH at 8:00. We hiked this route counterclockwise starting at 19 Mile Brook TH. We hiked first 1.9 miles double time and slowed down a notch for steeper 1.9 mile section leading to Zeta Pass junction. 19 Mile Brook Trail was dry with good footing. Carter Dome Trail leading to Zeta Pass was great with many switchbacks in good condition so it was never steep and footing is good. There were some blow-downs that couldn’t be walked around and requiring getting down on hands and knees to get by. There were two close by each other where I stooped to get under the first one and got up too quickly bumping my head soundly on the second one. I didn’t feel too bad so we kept walking.
Stream crossings were all easy. We paused briefly at Zeta Pass. Zeta Pass is at 3900’ in spruce fir zone. A rustic bench provides pleasant spot to contemplate the brilliant blue sky filtering through the spruce trees. I was surprised how close the scenic Mt Hite is from here. It can't be more than 0.5 mile. We waited for a bus, but it never came so we resumed hiking last 0.8 mile to South Carter Summit. We met one of only two parties we encountered on this hike just before the summit. The summit offers filtered views through open spruce. We started off getting more and better views as we advanced. Visibility was excellent.
We stopped at one ledge with panorama of the Presidential Range with good views into Great Gulf region. Winds were mild to non-existent making the summit ridge walk very fine. There were only short patches of ice all easily negotiated unaided by traction devices. We continued to junction with Imp Trail with a stop to tag the North Summit and visit the view ledge on the way that offers great views of the Wild River region.
We encountered some ice descending the North Carter Trail to Imp that was easily negotiated unaided. Trees were always available for handholds. We arrived at Imp Face and realized day light was fading fast. The sun was low over the horizon of the Great Gulf. I realized here we should have done this route clockwise so we could visit Imp Face in early morning to see the Great Gulf fully bathed in morning sun. At this time of the day the Great Gulf is in shadow and setting sun blinds you.
Near this ledge Brad took a tumble on a root and struck his forehead on a rock giving both him and me a scare. There was no ice in sight. It was just a random event that makes you realize some of the risks inherent in solo hiking. The skin of his forehead was broken a bit and bled slightly. We sat down to rest and collect ourselves and eat a late lunch. When I got home that night I took off my hat and noticed the top of my scalp had dried blood and oblong bump from my encounter in the morning with the blow-down. This was a blow partly cushioned by a polypropylene hat. Maybe we should consider wearing hard-hats on the trail! We hiked out the last 2 miles as fast as we could. It was nearly dark when we made it to the car back on Route 16. Another great day in the mountains and a new hiking friend!
Pics are here.
The bank thermometer indicated it 20 deg F when I left the Hikers Paradise in Gorham to meet up with Hunter aka Brad at the 19 Mile Brook TH at 8:00. We hiked this route counterclockwise starting at 19 Mile Brook TH. We hiked first 1.9 miles double time and slowed down a notch for steeper 1.9 mile section leading to Zeta Pass junction. 19 Mile Brook Trail was dry with good footing. Carter Dome Trail leading to Zeta Pass was great with many switchbacks in good condition so it was never steep and footing is good. There were some blow-downs that couldn’t be walked around and requiring getting down on hands and knees to get by. There were two close by each other where I stooped to get under the first one and got up too quickly bumping my head soundly on the second one. I didn’t feel too bad so we kept walking.
Stream crossings were all easy. We paused briefly at Zeta Pass. Zeta Pass is at 3900’ in spruce fir zone. A rustic bench provides pleasant spot to contemplate the brilliant blue sky filtering through the spruce trees. I was surprised how close the scenic Mt Hite is from here. It can't be more than 0.5 mile. We waited for a bus, but it never came so we resumed hiking last 0.8 mile to South Carter Summit. We met one of only two parties we encountered on this hike just before the summit. The summit offers filtered views through open spruce. We started off getting more and better views as we advanced. Visibility was excellent.
We stopped at one ledge with panorama of the Presidential Range with good views into Great Gulf region. Winds were mild to non-existent making the summit ridge walk very fine. There were only short patches of ice all easily negotiated unaided by traction devices. We continued to junction with Imp Trail with a stop to tag the North Summit and visit the view ledge on the way that offers great views of the Wild River region.
We encountered some ice descending the North Carter Trail to Imp that was easily negotiated unaided. Trees were always available for handholds. We arrived at Imp Face and realized day light was fading fast. The sun was low over the horizon of the Great Gulf. I realized here we should have done this route clockwise so we could visit Imp Face in early morning to see the Great Gulf fully bathed in morning sun. At this time of the day the Great Gulf is in shadow and setting sun blinds you.
Near this ledge Brad took a tumble on a root and struck his forehead on a rock giving both him and me a scare. There was no ice in sight. It was just a random event that makes you realize some of the risks inherent in solo hiking. The skin of his forehead was broken a bit and bled slightly. We sat down to rest and collect ourselves and eat a late lunch. When I got home that night I took off my hat and noticed the top of my scalp had dried blood and oblong bump from my encounter in the morning with the blow-down. This was a blow partly cushioned by a polypropylene hat. Maybe we should consider wearing hard-hats on the trail! We hiked out the last 2 miles as fast as we could. It was nearly dark when we made it to the car back on Route 16. Another great day in the mountains and a new hiking friend!
Pics are here.
