Guinness
Active member
This was my first step on a trail since early August when our VFTT group went up Mount Rainier. It felt good to be back out there. My hiatus from climbing was caused by a reoccurring back injury. I have been wandering around these trails with two herniated disks for the past few years with no hope for recovery.
My goal for Saturday (9/10) was Seymour Mountain. After arriving at the trailhead late Friday night, I crashed in the truck until morning. I started down the trail at 7:30 on a very comfortable cool morning. The pace for the first 5.4 miles was held at just over 3 MPH arriving at Ward Brook Lean-to in 1:45 hours. There I took a break for 25 minutes while I talked with a family that was camped there.
The herd path, which starts on the left bank of the first brook past the Ward Brook lean-to (0.1 miles), was well defined. After short distance, the herd path crosses over to the right bank where it remained. The herd path was moderately wet in areas and some care should be taken to prevent slips. I felt strong on this steep climb keeping a constant pace with only one two-minute stop to retrieve a water bottle from my pack.
After reaching the upper ridge, some care should be taken to remain on the correct herd path. There are some remnants of older herd paths leading toward the summit. Just remain on the most obvious herd path. Before you reach the actual summit, there is a rock ledge well worth visiting on the right of the path. Great views! The actual summit is approximately 150 feet beyond this vista.
The return trip was uneventful and I arrived back at the trailhead 7 hours 50 minutes after leaving. Then the 344 mile home arriving at 9:50pm.
My goal for Saturday (9/10) was Seymour Mountain. After arriving at the trailhead late Friday night, I crashed in the truck until morning. I started down the trail at 7:30 on a very comfortable cool morning. The pace for the first 5.4 miles was held at just over 3 MPH arriving at Ward Brook Lean-to in 1:45 hours. There I took a break for 25 minutes while I talked with a family that was camped there.
The herd path, which starts on the left bank of the first brook past the Ward Brook lean-to (0.1 miles), was well defined. After short distance, the herd path crosses over to the right bank where it remained. The herd path was moderately wet in areas and some care should be taken to prevent slips. I felt strong on this steep climb keeping a constant pace with only one two-minute stop to retrieve a water bottle from my pack.
After reaching the upper ridge, some care should be taken to remain on the correct herd path. There are some remnants of older herd paths leading toward the summit. Just remain on the most obvious herd path. Before you reach the actual summit, there is a rock ledge well worth visiting on the right of the path. Great views! The actual summit is approximately 150 feet beyond this vista.
The return trip was uneventful and I arrived back at the trailhead 7 hours 50 minutes after leaving. Then the 344 mile home arriving at 9:50pm.
