I hiked up Race Brook Trail from Route 41 on Saturday (9:30am). We brought a first time hiker who was at best not in very good shape. We camped at Laurel Ridge Campsite (the old Bear Rock Falls Campsite is closed). The ridgeline walk was a real pleasure. We saw a few people, however, we had the trails pretty much to oursleves. The conditions were ideal all day.
At the campsite, we enjoyed a quiet night amoung friends However, I recently purchased a Kelty 9 x 9 tarp from REI for this trip. Normally I use my two man Kelty Vortex tent, but I offered it up to the newbee. The weather forecast for Sunday was calling for considerable rain and I was very concerned that this shelter would not adequately protect me from the rain. I decided to pitch the selter pretty low to the tent platform to cover as much ground as possible. Thankfully, it worked reasonably well. It started to rain hard when we woke up at about 8:00am. I don't think I will use it again unless rain is very unlikely. I may use it as a cooking shelter in the future.
Our original plan was to hike thru Sages Ravine and up Bear Mountain down to Undermountain trail and out to 41. However, it was painfully obviousl that our friend was not going to enjoy the journey. We opted instead for an old logging road that was a series of switch backs down to route 41. When I was researching this trip I read a few reports about some fatalities that ocurred as a result of people attempting to bushwack down Bear Falls brook (river). Aftering hiking the old logging road, I have trouble understanding why they would not opt for this trail. It was rather easy and harmless. I guess the problem may be that it is not on every map and that it is not easily seen from the AT trail.
All and all a great trip. I plan on getting back to Sage's Ravine this winter.
At the campsite, we enjoyed a quiet night amoung friends However, I recently purchased a Kelty 9 x 9 tarp from REI for this trip. Normally I use my two man Kelty Vortex tent, but I offered it up to the newbee. The weather forecast for Sunday was calling for considerable rain and I was very concerned that this shelter would not adequately protect me from the rain. I decided to pitch the selter pretty low to the tent platform to cover as much ground as possible. Thankfully, it worked reasonably well. It started to rain hard when we woke up at about 8:00am. I don't think I will use it again unless rain is very unlikely. I may use it as a cooking shelter in the future.
Our original plan was to hike thru Sages Ravine and up Bear Mountain down to Undermountain trail and out to 41. However, it was painfully obviousl that our friend was not going to enjoy the journey. We opted instead for an old logging road that was a series of switch backs down to route 41. When I was researching this trip I read a few reports about some fatalities that ocurred as a result of people attempting to bushwack down Bear Falls brook (river). Aftering hiking the old logging road, I have trouble understanding why they would not opt for this trail. It was rather easy and harmless. I guess the problem may be that it is not on every map and that it is not easily seen from the AT trail.
All and all a great trip. I plan on getting back to Sage's Ravine this winter.
