The Smarts Mtn Mistake 7-1-06

[grouseking]

This is late trip report...in fact, its not even a trip. The intention was to hike up Smarts Mtn via the Lambert Ridge trail and have a nice hike in a part of the Whites I really haven't visited (except for Holts Ledge last yr). But because I didn't have a map with me, we ended up looking at an old topo map and took the wrong way...bigtime. All I know is we went in on this thing that looked like a trail but had no blazes. It led to a large cliff where people were doing rock climbing...so I thought we were on the right track. Off we went, and the trail turned into more of a logging rd and led to a couple of open beaver ponds, where i snapped some pics. Obviously we were on the wrong path at this point, but we figured that the logging road would lead to a trail possibly down the way. So off we went, into the mosquito infested woods where the grass got longer and longer. The logging road was no fun anymore...especially considering I thought I would be hiking on the AT! It got very muddy, temps were high, bugs were out and we really had no idea where we were. Finally, my hiking partner took out his GPS. We came to a logging rd that lead uphill in the direction of the summit, so we took it for awhile.

Again, it would have been one thing if I was expecting to be roughing it off trail, so I was pretty ticked at this point that we were doing what we were doing. We were only at like 1600 ft according to the GPS, so that was also discouraging. Then we turned around because I heard thunder and there was no way I was gonna get lost in a thunderstorm. It never ended up storming when we were out, but I didn't care. I had had enough with this supposed easy hike up Smarts via the AT.

So we went back and I got all scratched up by pricker bushes and branches. It wasn't that much fun. Finally we got back to the ponds and we went up into the woods up to the top of the cliffs that overlooked the ponds. It was a pretty nice view from about 100 ft straight above the ponds.

We got out just in time as rain was at our door. Driving back we came to the Dartmouth skiway where the trail to Holts Ledge can be accessed. I looked around for the acess for Smarts Mtn but couldnt find anything. Later I read that you have to take some other road nearby to get to the Lambert Ridge trail...but thats for another day.

In the end Matt had a great time, but to be honest I was pretty ticked. But I'll get over it...and since there was thunder, I probably would have been really mad if I had almost been to the summit and a thunderstorm struck. Anyways, I'll go there a different day. I took a few pics...none of the logging trail. I guess I was too mad. Here they are.

Smarts Mtn Disaster

grouseking

 

[bintrepidhiker]

man, thats a shame. least you'll know where NOT to go next time you are in the area. that'll narrow it down for ya

 

[grouseking]

We were really dumb to not even bring a map with us....really dumb. I don't know what we were thinking. The dumbest thing was probably continuing to follow the trail. I mean we wern't gonna lose it cause it could easily be followed, but when you don't know where it leads, following it further away from the car is just stupid.

grouseking

 

[spicyjeff]

Noticed the turtle in your pictures, number 12. Looks like it might be a Blandings turtle which is an animal of special concern in NH. Amazing little creatures that can live up to 80 years old!

 

[Paradox]

Hey folks this might be fun. My home is about 19.5 miles on a bearing of 104 degrees true (120 degrees magnetic) from the summit of Smarts Mountain. We have a great view of Smarts from our livingroom window and I can see the firetower with binoculars. I have some leftover fireworks from the Fourth of July. Next time someone is going up Smarts give me a jingle 603-536-4076 (home) and 603-254-4609 (cell) and if available I will send some up Roman candles.

While I'm at it: I am 8.1 miles from Stinson Mountain on a compass bearing of 130 true (146 magnetic) and while trees abscure my view the rockets should be able to get above those.

 

[TDawg]

Noticed the turtle in your pictures, number 12. Looks like it might be a Blandings turtle which is an animal of special concern in NH. Amazing little creatures that can live up to 80 years old!

I'm gonna disagree and say it looks like a good ol' Painted Turtle.

Compare here....Blandings...Painted

 

[Paradox]

I learned most everything I know about turtles from TDAWG's links. I would have to say that Grousekings turtle looks more like the picture of a painted turtle.

 

[grouseking]

Not that anyone cares, but I finally figured out where I made a wrong turn. We kept going south by the Dartmouth Skiway and found the interesting trail by a place called Winslow Ridge, which had many rock climbers. And now my Holts Ledge view pics make perfect sense. For the first time I will admit, I was completely lost and had no idea where I was. But I know now and will never make that mistake again.

grouseking