Saddleback and the Horn 3/28/09

[Tuco]

Summarizing my winter hiking- 0 peaks of any kind, 1 11 mile flatland hike in the Pemi with Sapblatt. A series of negative events turned the winter into a no hiking, no working out mess. All things apparently working out now, Rols (Paul) and I targeted 3/28 for a hike and we wanted to add to our 67 list and do something special- so we planned on Saddleback and the Horn. THe favorable weather forecast had us excited in advance of the hike.

We arrived at the ski area around 7 and went in and asked around for trail info. A gentleman said we should head up the Grey Ghost trail- I was suprised since I heard other trails were the ones to use. We geared up and while trying to find the trail another gentleman said no- the Green Weaver was the correct trail, so off we went. I drove Paul crazy making sure we hit the right trail heading up- I think we saw nearly 10 ski Patrollers going by and talked to a few who asked us to check in at the Patrol Hut before hitting the ridge and after.

It was an easy trip up the trails, Green Weaver and Tri Color. Checked in at the hut and headed to the Ridge. Amazing views around- partly cloudy but you could see for miles. It was cool, with a light breeze. We were wearing snowshoes and there was bare ice and rock near the summit. Saddleback, #54 for me. There was a very cool undercast that seemed to stay only around one mountain off in the east. We put on crampons, with the ice and the expectation of the steep drop that it could get icier.

We dropped off the summit- the trail wasn't obvious a lot of the time. There was some icy drops which we went around without too much trouble. The further down we got towards the col, the snow increased. Paul went along OK but with my additional guttage, I started to posthole. It became more frequent, but there were still icy and bare spots around so I stayed in crampons. The energy and excitement started to drain from me and I hit my last posthole, both legs in waist deep. Spruce trap. I sat there and pondered- would I be able to get up, head up the Horn, and back up to Saddleback feeling like this? I thought no. I had nothing left. But I had made up my mind, no matter what happened today- I was finishing this hike. So I lifted out of the trap, and moved on never to think of stopping again.

We took a break and I put on snowshoes in the Col. The break with food and drink was energizing. Lots of bare rock in the Col with some ice. On the ascent, snow licked up again but without postholing I felt good and we summited no problem- # 55. Dropped off the summit- it was breezy and cool and I was cold- and another longer food and drink break.

We pushed back down, and it went quickly. Then back up to Saddleback and again I felt really good and we hit the summit fairly quickly. There was total overcast so we headed down to the ski patrol hut.

They confirmed that the two trails that can be used are the Green Weaver and the Hudson Highway- two they are insured for hikers. I read this also by a previous poster here. Ski Patrol folks were friendly and helpful- nice people. We zipped down the Green Weaver trail and the sun came out and it really heated it.

In the end it was a GREAT day- 90% of the day spent in the open, on a ridgeline with 360 views a lot of the time. And great company.

Sore muscles. 8 hours of driving. Exhuastion. Sore feet. Sore back. Its great to be back out.

Some pix here. http://tuco.smugmug.com/gallery/7749218_msViq#501072587_DFyqy

 

[marty]

Rols and Tuco,
way to go, brothers. You should be asleep now instead of writing Trip Reports.

Nice job in showing perseverance and deciding to take a break, when you thought you hit the wall.

The photos were amazing. Glad you had some views. Can't believe the ice left the summit sign that day, nor can I believe that Rols still has that ripped up plastic bag covering his sleeping pad. We chewed that bag up over a month ago doing Webster-Jackson. I also see that Rols is now sporting a camo hat. Better than his fuschia vest, I quess.

Looking forward to joining you both as you continue your assault on the 67 in Maine

Marty

 

[Silverfox]

Nice report and good perseverance

that is one great rdige walk..glad you got some views

interesting gly, last time up there from the ski area Grey Ghost was recommended..quite steep in spots..we didn't find the second opinion about Green Weaver which appears more moderate..

some nice photos of the wintry ridge

 

[Rols]

Thanks for another great day on the trail. I enjoyed your pictures and trail report. Marty said we would enjoy the hike; he was certainly right. Maine peaks have not disappointed. I would recommend Saddleback and the Horn to any hiker.

As usual maps don't always create a clear picture. The descent/ascent between the two peaks was more than we expected but was thoroughly "enjoyed". The opportunity to use snowshoes & crampons will be gone soon so their use added to the day.

Eric is to commended for his heroic battle with one particularly nasty spruce trap. He nearly made the ultimate sacrifice (a sacrifice you really don't want to know about). He emerged in tatters but ultimately victorious. Such is life on the snow covered trail.

A terrific hike on a beautiful day with a good companion....what more could you ask for.

 

[woodsxc]

Saddleback and the Horn were my first 4k peaks. When I came out to Maine for school this year, I started off with a backpack from Saddleback to the Crockers. The ridge between Saddleback and the Horn is, in my opinion, one of the best above treeline hikes in the region.

 

[Mad Townie]

Gents, excellent hike and TR. It's a tough time of year for those peaks.

Aren't the Saddleback ski patrollers great? None of that, "We're concerned about liability" stuff. They just want you to check in for safety reasons, and they want you to have a good time. Gotta love 'em!

 

[hikes-with-him]

Saddleback is a great area!! wonderful views and just great above-treeline hiking.

Wonder how the AT trail is...that's how we usually get there...piazza rock and the caves are a fun side attraction. The problem is that it's such a WET trail from the campsite to almost treeline. YUCKY even in late summer.