BIGEarl
Well-known member
February 23, 2008: Mt. Passaconaway & Mt. Whiteface
Trails: Dicey’s Mill Trail, Rollins Trail, Blueberry Ledges Trail
Hikers: Scoutmaster (Gary), Fitz, Steve, Trail Trotter (Sue), getawaygirl (Amy), MadRiver (Rick), Pedestrian (John Hartford), Whichway (?from Norwick VT)
The plan was to meet at the Ferncroft trailhead lot around 7:30am and start the hike at 8:00am. Some were running a little late, some were running a lot late. We actually headed out around 8:30am. The day was great from the start with moderate temps, very little breeze, cloud cover that generally dissipated before mid-day, and a couple inches of fresh powder. There was another hiker who was there for the hike but she was really running late and suggested we head out without her and she would be along. We never saw her again after leaving the trailhead area. Also taking off not to be seen again, until we reached the summit of Mount Passaconaway were a couple of speedsters in the group – Trail Trotter and MadRiver. We found them later enjoying their Swiss Bobs near the summit of Passaconaway. At the trailhead, Whichway was nowhere to be found, but she had instructed us not to wait for her.
Dicey’s Mill Trail is like a huge ramp that leads to the summit of Mount Passaconaway. The initial couple miles are mild grades, a good warm-up to the day. Then, the trail becomes steeper, and steeper. Eventually we reached the junction with the Rollins Trail. This will be the trail we follow to Whiteface later, after we first visit Passaconaway. At this point we had hiked 3.7 miles and gained 2,200 feet in elevation. The summit of Mount Passaconaway was another .9 miles and 750 feet ahead. At the Rollins Trail junction I noticed there was no sign fresh traffic on the trail. We had quick refreshment, took some pictures, and were off for Mount Passaconaway. This last section is a combination of mild switchbacks and straight up. Eventually, we first came upon Trail Trotter and MadRiver, and then the summit area. We stopped at a viewpoint just below the summit for pictures and then paid a visit to the overgrown summit. While there we met another group of hikers – Kevin Tilton and a couple friends. We said a quick hello and they were gone. Back at the viewpoint we stopped for lunch. Soon, Whichway joined the group. A few minutes later Hikerfast (Bob) stepped into the clearing. There were lots of people hiking Passaconaway under ideal conditions.
When Gary advertised the hike it was for Passaconaway. I let him know my interest also included Whiteface and would probably split from the group to head there too. Not everybody headed for Whiteface, a number of hikers made the u-turn and hiked back to the trailhead lot calling it a hike. We took a roll call and found Trail Trotter, MadRiver, getawaygirl, Pedestrian, Whichway, Fitz, and me planning to also hike to Mount Whiteface – the others were headed out. We decided to get started since there was still more than half of our day ahead of us.
The first portion was just a hike back down the Dicey’s Mill Trail to the Rollins Trail junction. When we arrived we found evidence of another hiker, Carole, had passed through the area. I knew that she planned to hike Whiteface first and continue in our direction. Her note in the snow indicated it was 1:00pm when she came through.
The Rollins Trail is a real test right now. The snow cover is very deep making the packed trail probably six feet higher than usual. This means constant plowing through treetops. I’ve been on bushwhacks that were less unpleasant. The hike to Whiteface is only 2.2 miles and approximately 750 feet but the added “bushwhack” effect made it seem much further. The Rollins Trail has some very tight places, and many of them. The summit of Whiteface is an overgrown area with a small cairn marking the high point. Right now there is more snow than cairn on the summit. We continued along and passed by the junction with the Kate’s Sleeper Trail and then came to Whiteface Ledges.
Here we regrouped and prepared to head down the ledges on Blueberry Ledges Trail. Fitz, Whichway, and I stayed with snowshoes; the others changed to crampons. There is good snow cover on the ledges with a solid consistency that allowed us to descend on snowshoes without problems (in other words no blood). In hindsight, we probably should have made the change. We would have made it down easier and safer with crampons. After clearing the ledges Trail Trotter, MadRiver, and getawaygirl were off on their Swiss Bobs sliding back to the trailhead – as much as they could. Along the way we found a few things that fell from their packs while sliding and brought them out with us.
At the upper junction with the Blueberry Ledges Cutoff we stopped for a quick break. I checked the remaining distance, two miles to the vehicles, and we agreed to pull out the headlights since it would be dark before we made it out.
The final two miles were generally clear sailing with headlights. When we reached the road and field we noticed a completely clear sky full of stars. A couple years back, my first hike with Tom and Atticus ended with the same conditions. With no city lights for competition the clear night sky is a little more beautiful at Ferncroft. It’s a sight I never get tired of seeing. We made the short walk to the trailhead lot, packed our things away, said our goodbyes, and were on our way.
Another excellent day in the mountains.
I posted some pictures from the day.
Straight to the slideshow.
BIGEarl's pictures.
Trails: Dicey’s Mill Trail, Rollins Trail, Blueberry Ledges Trail
Hikers: Scoutmaster (Gary), Fitz, Steve, Trail Trotter (Sue), getawaygirl (Amy), MadRiver (Rick), Pedestrian (John Hartford), Whichway (?from Norwick VT)
The plan was to meet at the Ferncroft trailhead lot around 7:30am and start the hike at 8:00am. Some were running a little late, some were running a lot late. We actually headed out around 8:30am. The day was great from the start with moderate temps, very little breeze, cloud cover that generally dissipated before mid-day, and a couple inches of fresh powder. There was another hiker who was there for the hike but she was really running late and suggested we head out without her and she would be along. We never saw her again after leaving the trailhead area. Also taking off not to be seen again, until we reached the summit of Mount Passaconaway were a couple of speedsters in the group – Trail Trotter and MadRiver. We found them later enjoying their Swiss Bobs near the summit of Passaconaway. At the trailhead, Whichway was nowhere to be found, but she had instructed us not to wait for her.
Dicey’s Mill Trail is like a huge ramp that leads to the summit of Mount Passaconaway. The initial couple miles are mild grades, a good warm-up to the day. Then, the trail becomes steeper, and steeper. Eventually we reached the junction with the Rollins Trail. This will be the trail we follow to Whiteface later, after we first visit Passaconaway. At this point we had hiked 3.7 miles and gained 2,200 feet in elevation. The summit of Mount Passaconaway was another .9 miles and 750 feet ahead. At the Rollins Trail junction I noticed there was no sign fresh traffic on the trail. We had quick refreshment, took some pictures, and were off for Mount Passaconaway. This last section is a combination of mild switchbacks and straight up. Eventually, we first came upon Trail Trotter and MadRiver, and then the summit area. We stopped at a viewpoint just below the summit for pictures and then paid a visit to the overgrown summit. While there we met another group of hikers – Kevin Tilton and a couple friends. We said a quick hello and they were gone. Back at the viewpoint we stopped for lunch. Soon, Whichway joined the group. A few minutes later Hikerfast (Bob) stepped into the clearing. There were lots of people hiking Passaconaway under ideal conditions.
When Gary advertised the hike it was for Passaconaway. I let him know my interest also included Whiteface and would probably split from the group to head there too. Not everybody headed for Whiteface, a number of hikers made the u-turn and hiked back to the trailhead lot calling it a hike. We took a roll call and found Trail Trotter, MadRiver, getawaygirl, Pedestrian, Whichway, Fitz, and me planning to also hike to Mount Whiteface – the others were headed out. We decided to get started since there was still more than half of our day ahead of us.
The first portion was just a hike back down the Dicey’s Mill Trail to the Rollins Trail junction. When we arrived we found evidence of another hiker, Carole, had passed through the area. I knew that she planned to hike Whiteface first and continue in our direction. Her note in the snow indicated it was 1:00pm when she came through.
The Rollins Trail is a real test right now. The snow cover is very deep making the packed trail probably six feet higher than usual. This means constant plowing through treetops. I’ve been on bushwhacks that were less unpleasant. The hike to Whiteface is only 2.2 miles and approximately 750 feet but the added “bushwhack” effect made it seem much further. The Rollins Trail has some very tight places, and many of them. The summit of Whiteface is an overgrown area with a small cairn marking the high point. Right now there is more snow than cairn on the summit. We continued along and passed by the junction with the Kate’s Sleeper Trail and then came to Whiteface Ledges.
Here we regrouped and prepared to head down the ledges on Blueberry Ledges Trail. Fitz, Whichway, and I stayed with snowshoes; the others changed to crampons. There is good snow cover on the ledges with a solid consistency that allowed us to descend on snowshoes without problems (in other words no blood). In hindsight, we probably should have made the change. We would have made it down easier and safer with crampons. After clearing the ledges Trail Trotter, MadRiver, and getawaygirl were off on their Swiss Bobs sliding back to the trailhead – as much as they could. Along the way we found a few things that fell from their packs while sliding and brought them out with us.
At the upper junction with the Blueberry Ledges Cutoff we stopped for a quick break. I checked the remaining distance, two miles to the vehicles, and we agreed to pull out the headlights since it would be dark before we made it out.
The final two miles were generally clear sailing with headlights. When we reached the road and field we noticed a completely clear sky full of stars. A couple years back, my first hike with Tom and Atticus ended with the same conditions. With no city lights for competition the clear night sky is a little more beautiful at Ferncroft. It’s a sight I never get tired of seeing. We made the short walk to the trailhead lot, packed our things away, said our goodbyes, and were on our way.
Another excellent day in the mountains.
I posted some pictures from the day.
Straight to the slideshow.
BIGEarl's pictures.
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