In the early morning fog, trying to find the logging roads from Lost Nation up the west side of the Pilot Range, I ended up in Bruce Sloat's driveway. As I was turning around to look for an alternative approach, he rushed out to welcome me and enthusiastically gave me directions. The roads shown on the Delorme atlas do indeed run directly through his backyard! The old trails are easy travelling all the way to the East Peak, which he has renamed as Mt. Mary. Middle Peak is a short bushwhack from the trail. The traverse NW along the ridge to Hutchins Mt. was thick with lengthy stetches of blowdown. From the ledges just east of this summit there are spectacular views of Cabot, the Bulge and the Horn.
The latest edition of the White Mountain Guide suggests "the most frequently used route follows the logging road that runs up the southest side of Cummings Brook". Well, the logging road was easy enough to find on the descent, but the last 1/2 mile is crisscrossed by a maze of electrified cattle fences (a novel bushwhacking obstacle). Obviously, this route should no longer be recommended.
Back at my car, Mr. Sloat, who is an ex-AMC Hut System manager, again went out of his way to greet me and inquire about my hike. Bruce, thank you very much for allowing access to your property and for your gracious hospitality.
The latest edition of the White Mountain Guide suggests "the most frequently used route follows the logging road that runs up the southest side of Cummings Brook". Well, the logging road was easy enough to find on the descent, but the last 1/2 mile is crisscrossed by a maze of electrified cattle fences (a novel bushwhacking obstacle). Obviously, this route should no longer be recommended.
Back at my car, Mr. Sloat, who is an ex-AMC Hut System manager, again went out of his way to greet me and inquire about my hike. Bruce, thank you very much for allowing access to your property and for your gracious hospitality.
