Bombadil
Active member
1-19-13
Sawyer River Rd-->Vose Spur-->Carrigain Notch-->Nancy Pond Trail up Nancy and out
Sawyer River Rd had a few snowmobiles come through to pack down the fresh snow that fell overnight which helped some. We switched from barebooting to snowshoes at the old Signal Ridge Fork since there were plenty of postholes covered over with fresh snow. Vose Spur went very well, intentionally topping out on the ridge on the low side around 2700 and never hit any thick stuff. The steep pitch above the talus field was a little tricky with ice under the powder, crampons wouldn't have been overkill but we didn't switch. First visitors in a good 7 weeks to the cannister. Rather than gamble on the north slope we retraced our steps and continued to break out the remainder of the Carrigain Notch Trail. We lost the trail for a good mile or more towards the River, thanks in no small part to the lack of blazing or trail corridor. Similarly we weren't able to follow the Nancy Pond Trail for very long before losing that for long sections as well. In hindsight we should have just bushwhacked straight over to the Nancy Pond Trail since it was impossible to stay on the trail anyways. Shortly after hitting the trail for good a Moose was busy breaking out the trail for us but unfortunately we scared her off into the woods. Relieved to see the herd path up Nancy (and 302 to Nancy) well broken out. Thank to all who broke this trail out! Tough 20 mile day breaking trail for the better part of the day but well worth it. Thanks Jason for the company and help trailbreaking!
Pat
pcushing21 at yahoo dot com
Sawyer River Rd-->Vose Spur-->Carrigain Notch-->Nancy Pond Trail up Nancy and out
Sawyer River Rd had a few snowmobiles come through to pack down the fresh snow that fell overnight which helped some. We switched from barebooting to snowshoes at the old Signal Ridge Fork since there were plenty of postholes covered over with fresh snow. Vose Spur went very well, intentionally topping out on the ridge on the low side around 2700 and never hit any thick stuff. The steep pitch above the talus field was a little tricky with ice under the powder, crampons wouldn't have been overkill but we didn't switch. First visitors in a good 7 weeks to the cannister. Rather than gamble on the north slope we retraced our steps and continued to break out the remainder of the Carrigain Notch Trail. We lost the trail for a good mile or more towards the River, thanks in no small part to the lack of blazing or trail corridor. Similarly we weren't able to follow the Nancy Pond Trail for very long before losing that for long sections as well. In hindsight we should have just bushwhacked straight over to the Nancy Pond Trail since it was impossible to stay on the trail anyways. Shortly after hitting the trail for good a Moose was busy breaking out the trail for us but unfortunately we scared her off into the woods. Relieved to see the herd path up Nancy (and 302 to Nancy) well broken out. Thank to all who broke this trail out! Tough 20 mile day breaking trail for the better part of the day but well worth it. Thanks Jason for the company and help trailbreaking!
Pat
pcushing21 at yahoo dot com
