buckyball1
New member
Ahhh, my last 3AM departure for a bit...also i can take a break from the tyranny of the lists 
I headed over to Berlin early today and was parked inside the fish hatchery by about 630. A super morning to hike, clear and low 50s-minimal bugs. I think the gate is now always open unless "problems" occur. The York Pond Trail was very wet from the overnight T-showers, was totally overgrown for long stretches as usual and I was pretty well soaked within a quarter mile . The trail is very mellow to Willard Notch; only issue was the high water level at the two brook crossing-lots of searching and hesitation on my part and still got wet boots. I think the call might be to wack up the S side of the brook and avoid the crossings which are relatively close to one another. The Killkenny Ridge trail over to Terrace is a bit rough with numerous uncleared blowdowns, but no problem. A quick jaunt up the spur brought me to a "decent/limited" outlook at the summit.
On my return to the car, i stirred a pair of moose (cow and calf)-she quickly hustled the calf away. I don't think I've ever not seen moose when hiking in that area.
Headed up Rt110 to Nash Stream Rd to grab South Percy via Percy Peaks Trail. It's a short, stiff hike. The first mile is moderate with very good footing. The next mile is steep with footing that is getting continually worse from erosion and some of the slabs were a bit slick today. When you get to the notch, continue as if ascending N Percy. On the east side of the notch are two nice new signs, one for North, one for South. The path to South follows the old Summer Trail/Club Trail for a short distance as it dips into the shallow col. At the base of the col, the "Club Trail" goes left and you follow a good herd path straight ahead to South-short, steep. There are a few nice outlooks from ledges just before the summit and a good panorama from the summit-i like the "in your face" view of N Percy--a good place to finish the YALP. On my return drive, I stayed on the N side of the stream and went through Stark--some great upland meadows/fields with feel reminiscent of area near Catamont in my long time home Adirondacks
After finishing the YALP today, the 52WAV last week and planning on Baker next month to complete F50, I offer the unsolicited advice that the F50 was by far my favorite of these three groups. It took me to areas i'd never otherwise see and some neat/different mountains both large and "small"-East, Cold Hollow, Moxie, Coburn. It requires lots of driving, but is well worth the trips.
With these 3 and the "big" lists done, I can return to the big rockpile climbs i enjoy- I hear the Great Gully calling and another ascent or two of the "Magic Mountain" is up after that.
thanks
jim
I headed over to Berlin early today and was parked inside the fish hatchery by about 630. A super morning to hike, clear and low 50s-minimal bugs. I think the gate is now always open unless "problems" occur. The York Pond Trail was very wet from the overnight T-showers, was totally overgrown for long stretches as usual and I was pretty well soaked within a quarter mile . The trail is very mellow to Willard Notch; only issue was the high water level at the two brook crossing-lots of searching and hesitation on my part and still got wet boots. I think the call might be to wack up the S side of the brook and avoid the crossings which are relatively close to one another. The Killkenny Ridge trail over to Terrace is a bit rough with numerous uncleared blowdowns, but no problem. A quick jaunt up the spur brought me to a "decent/limited" outlook at the summit.
On my return to the car, i stirred a pair of moose (cow and calf)-she quickly hustled the calf away. I don't think I've ever not seen moose when hiking in that area.
Headed up Rt110 to Nash Stream Rd to grab South Percy via Percy Peaks Trail. It's a short, stiff hike. The first mile is moderate with very good footing. The next mile is steep with footing that is getting continually worse from erosion and some of the slabs were a bit slick today. When you get to the notch, continue as if ascending N Percy. On the east side of the notch are two nice new signs, one for North, one for South. The path to South follows the old Summer Trail/Club Trail for a short distance as it dips into the shallow col. At the base of the col, the "Club Trail" goes left and you follow a good herd path straight ahead to South-short, steep. There are a few nice outlooks from ledges just before the summit and a good panorama from the summit-i like the "in your face" view of N Percy--a good place to finish the YALP. On my return drive, I stayed on the N side of the stream and went through Stark--some great upland meadows/fields with feel reminiscent of area near Catamont in my long time home Adirondacks
After finishing the YALP today, the 52WAV last week and planning on Baker next month to complete F50, I offer the unsolicited advice
that the F50 was by far my favorite of these three groups. It took me to areas i'd never otherwise see and some neat/different mountains both large and "small"-East, Cold Hollow, Moxie, Coburn. It requires lots of driving, but is well worth the trips.With these 3 and the "big" lists done, I can return to the big rockpile climbs i enjoy- I hear the Great Gully calling and another ascent or two of the "Magic Mountain" is up after that.
thanks
jim
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