Double Bow
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- Apr 29, 2005
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My friend Ryan and I both managed to take Friday off and decided to do a carspot hike over Sandwich Mountain. The original plan was to meet at the trailhead for the Sandwich Mountain and Drakes Brook trails, leave one car there and then drive to the Algonquin trailhead on Sandwich Notch Rd.
Ryan showed up a little late but it wasn't any big deal. We got in his car and took the SLOW ride down SNR. It is still in pretty bad shape with some major league ruts. I was pretty concerned for his car, even though in has all wheel drive.
Eventually we got to the trailhead, sprayed down with bug spray and were off. The trail was fairly wet and it wasn't long before we were being feasted upon by the black flies and mosquitos.
Despite these things, we moved at a pretty good pace.We found the Algonquin trail to be a lot of fun with a couple nice scramble sections. We stopped at the lookout near the summit of Black Mtn. and checked out the view through the haze. It was especially nice because the bugs were in fewer number there. A bit later, we hit the summit of Sandwich. They say that if it were 20' taller, it would be one of the most climbed mountains in the state and even on a hazy, humid, bugy day, it's easy to see why.
While at the summit, we could see the weather coming in and I said "somehow, sitting on the summit next to a metal pole doesn't seem to be that great an idea". Ryan agreed and we sprayed once more (what the hay?) and boogied on over to Jennings. The views were quite hazy here too but, good enough to enjoy, especially of the valley. It was so green it seemed to glow. Couldn't stay long, the weather was definately changing for the worse.
After we got back to the trail juncture from the spur, it was time to reevaluate our game plan. We had originally planned on coming down the Sandwich Mtn Trail as the idea of going over Noon Peak had been attractive but, based on the conditions, and the fact that Ryan had a 10K marathonthe next day, we decided to take the gentler, less exposed (but longer) Drakes Brook trail down.
As we came to the point on the trail where it comes to a small cascade near the point where the trail starts to run alongside the brook, we stopped for a minute to admire it. Then we heard a loun BOOM of thunder. I looked up and said "OK! We're going!" and we started racing down. The rain quickly became a downpour. Although I had raingear, I opted not to put it on because I was so hot and the rain felt so good! Well, by the time we crossed the brook and rejoined the Sandwich Mtn trail, we had stopped going fast and were now just leasurely hiking in the rain (isn't that a musical?
).
We got out to my SUV and then had to go back down SNR to get his car. Fortunately, I didn't have any issues getting back down there and after dropping him off at his car and saying farewell I started off but watched to make sure he was able to start his car and get out of his parking place.
Later, I pulled aside to change my shirt and take off my boots before stopping into the Mountain Wanderer (wouldn't want to get Steve's place all muddy). After my visit there, I drove home tired, pleased, and ready to head back out the next day!
Ryan showed up a little late but it wasn't any big deal. We got in his car and took the SLOW ride down SNR. It is still in pretty bad shape with some major league ruts. I was pretty concerned for his car, even though in has all wheel drive.
Eventually we got to the trailhead, sprayed down with bug spray and were off. The trail was fairly wet and it wasn't long before we were being feasted upon by the black flies and mosquitos.
Despite these things, we moved at a pretty good pace.We found the Algonquin trail to be a lot of fun with a couple nice scramble sections. We stopped at the lookout near the summit of Black Mtn. and checked out the view through the haze. It was especially nice because the bugs were in fewer number there. A bit later, we hit the summit of Sandwich. They say that if it were 20' taller, it would be one of the most climbed mountains in the state and even on a hazy, humid, bugy day, it's easy to see why.
While at the summit, we could see the weather coming in and I said "somehow, sitting on the summit next to a metal pole doesn't seem to be that great an idea". Ryan agreed and we sprayed once more (what the hay?) and boogied on over to Jennings. The views were quite hazy here too but, good enough to enjoy, especially of the valley. It was so green it seemed to glow. Couldn't stay long, the weather was definately changing for the worse.
After we got back to the trail juncture from the spur, it was time to reevaluate our game plan. We had originally planned on coming down the Sandwich Mtn Trail as the idea of going over Noon Peak had been attractive but, based on the conditions, and the fact that Ryan had a 10K marathonthe next day, we decided to take the gentler, less exposed (but longer) Drakes Brook trail down.
As we came to the point on the trail where it comes to a small cascade near the point where the trail starts to run alongside the brook, we stopped for a minute to admire it. Then we heard a loun BOOM of thunder. I looked up and said "OK! We're going!" and we started racing down. The rain quickly became a downpour. Although I had raingear, I opted not to put it on because I was so hot and the rain felt so good! Well, by the time we crossed the brook and rejoined the Sandwich Mtn trail, we had stopped going fast and were now just leasurely hiking in the rain (isn't that a musical?
).We got out to my SUV and then had to go back down SNR to get his car. Fortunately, I didn't have any issues getting back down there and after dropping him off at his car and saying farewell I started off but watched to make sure he was able to start his car and get out of his parking place.
Later, I pulled aside to change my shirt and take off my boots before stopping into the Mountain Wanderer (wouldn't want to get Steve's place all muddy). After my visit there, I drove home tired, pleased, and ready to head back out the next day!
