Ed'n Lauky
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- Feb 15, 2007
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The trail up to the shelter is in good condition. There are two very minor blowdowns.
There was a dusting of snow that started at about 2000'. There was no snow accumulation anywhere. Ice started about 3000' The Alpine Zone sign on the south side located at 2200' is the lowest I've ever seen. It is located at 2900' on the north side.
The south side was fairly dry so there was relatively little ice on that side.
There was quite a bit more water and thus ice between the peaks and down the north side.
There were a couple of minor blowdowns on the north side trail and one humongous blowdown that requires a major whack around it -- located between the major stream crossing and the trail up the south side. The stream crossings were all easily done.
The ledges were fairly dry but the lower section had some running water that needed to be circumnavigated.
The ledges are steepest at the bottom. The higher you go the easier they get. When I first started up I regretted not having worn my old Asolo Fugitive boots which have much 'stickier' soles than my Keens. As I got higher up I didn't think much more about it.
Leather gloves are helpful when climbing the ledges, especially down low.
This was the first time I went down the Baldface loop trail from the north side. Every other time I had gone down the Bicknell trail. I was surprised at how steep the 'loop' trail is coming down off the ridge. It is 'very' steep. The Bicknell trail has better views and is easier.
This was technically the most difficult hike Lauky ever did, but he didn't even know it. He was every bit the equal of his big brother Duffy on the ledges.
It was a beautiful day with spectacular views, fairly mild for the season with very little wind.
There was a dusting of snow that started at about 2000'. There was no snow accumulation anywhere. Ice started about 3000' The Alpine Zone sign on the south side located at 2200' is the lowest I've ever seen. It is located at 2900' on the north side.
The south side was fairly dry so there was relatively little ice on that side.
There was quite a bit more water and thus ice between the peaks and down the north side.
There were a couple of minor blowdowns on the north side trail and one humongous blowdown that requires a major whack around it -- located between the major stream crossing and the trail up the south side. The stream crossings were all easily done.
The ledges were fairly dry but the lower section had some running water that needed to be circumnavigated.
The ledges are steepest at the bottom. The higher you go the easier they get. When I first started up I regretted not having worn my old Asolo Fugitive boots which have much 'stickier' soles than my Keens. As I got higher up I didn't think much more about it.
Leather gloves are helpful when climbing the ledges, especially down low.
This was the first time I went down the Baldface loop trail from the north side. Every other time I had gone down the Bicknell trail. I was surprised at how steep the 'loop' trail is coming down off the ridge. It is 'very' steep. The Bicknell trail has better views and is easier.
This was technically the most difficult hike Lauky ever did, but he didn't even know it. He was every bit the equal of his big brother Duffy on the ledges.
It was a beautiful day with spectacular views, fairly mild for the season with very little wind.
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