grouseking
Well-known member
I need to start by saying that this hike was the wettest trip of my life. If I had taken a trail with more crossings (without bridges) I would have definitely put myself at risk. But I needed to get outside and fall hiking is running out so me and Matt ventured out for a short afternoon hike to Sawyer Pond.
It poured the whole way and then the rain picked up when we arrived at the trailhead....such is life. We tried to wait it out to see if it would let up...of course it didn't...so we just went for it. The trail crosses the Sawyer River...via a bridge thankfully. We got a birdseye view of the raging stream. Off we went down the trail. There were slippery roots and rocks galore, especially near the beginning. THe trail resembled small ponds thru the first 1/2 mile, then it turned into a lovely stream. There was another bridge crossing a normally placid brook which was a raging torrent. As the pics show, there was only about 6-10 inches of clearance between the water and bridge. It made me wonder if the bridge floated away later that day.
ABout 3/4 of the way to the pond, I heard a very LOUD GRUNTING coming from the trees a good 100-200 feet away. It sounded just like a moose...maybe a bear. But it startled the hell out of me...Matt didn't hear it but he was talking. We looked around for it and didn't see anything. Knowing its rutting season, I decided not to stick around. If it was a moose I'd rather keep my distance if it was moody.
The rest of the trip was uneventful and I was anxious to get to the shelter and admire Sawyer Pond. Unfortunately, the shelter was filled with people so we didn't get a chance to relax too much. But we dried off and then checked out Little Sawyer Pond, which was really nice. There were some trout fisherman out there doin' there thing...last day of trout fishing season. Then we decided it was time to go back. The rain wasn't fun anymore
. So off we went down to the trailhead, slogging through the river/trail. There were new crossings and water was higher everywhere. It is amazing how fast water can rise in just a couple hours. Soon we were back and ready to dry off. Amazingly my feet stayed dry...until I got into the car as the water soaked through totally and my feet turned into prunes soon thereafter. That is the last time I'll ever forget spare socks and shoes .
But the afternoon was fun. I like to hike in rain...but it was kind of dangerous with all the high water. I can only imagine if anyone did Owls Head and had to cross those brooks this weekend. Anyways pictures are here.....
Sawyer Pond
grouseking
It poured the whole way and then the rain picked up when we arrived at the trailhead....such is life. We tried to wait it out to see if it would let up...of course it didn't...so we just went for it. The trail crosses the Sawyer River...via a bridge thankfully. We got a birdseye view of the raging stream. Off we went down the trail. There were slippery roots and rocks galore, especially near the beginning. THe trail resembled small ponds thru the first 1/2 mile, then it turned into a lovely stream. There was another bridge crossing a normally placid brook which was a raging torrent. As the pics show, there was only about 6-10 inches of clearance between the water and bridge. It made me wonder if the bridge floated away later that day.
ABout 3/4 of the way to the pond, I heard a very LOUD GRUNTING coming from the trees a good 100-200 feet away. It sounded just like a moose...maybe a bear. But it startled the hell out of me...Matt didn't hear it but he was talking. We looked around for it and didn't see anything. Knowing its rutting season, I decided not to stick around. If it was a moose I'd rather keep my distance if it was moody.
The rest of the trip was uneventful and I was anxious to get to the shelter and admire Sawyer Pond. Unfortunately, the shelter was filled with people so we didn't get a chance to relax too much. But we dried off and then checked out Little Sawyer Pond, which was really nice. There were some trout fisherman out there doin' there thing...last day of trout fishing season. Then we decided it was time to go back. The rain wasn't fun anymore
. So off we went down to the trailhead, slogging through the river/trail. There were new crossings and water was higher everywhere. It is amazing how fast water can rise in just a couple hours. Soon we were back and ready to dry off. Amazingly my feet stayed dry...until I got into the car as the water soaked through totally and my feet turned into prunes soon thereafter. That is the last time I'll ever forget spare socks and shoes .But the afternoon was fun. I like to hike in rain...but it was kind of dangerous with all the high water. I can only imagine if anyone did Owls Head and had to cross those brooks this weekend. Anyways pictures are here.....
Sawyer Pond
grouseking
