Wandering in the northern Presidentials

[Mohamed Ellozy]

Today I drove to Appalachia with vague plans: have a great day above treeline, maybe bag Adams 5, maybe redline some trails, get some exercise. I am happy to say that all goals were accomplished

After a stop at the Twin Mountain Trading Post (where I met Tom; Atticus was obviously in the car) I reached Appalachia a few minutes before 7. I went up Valley Way, more out of habit than by conscious choice. By the time I reached the Upper Bruin I remembered that Alpinista had written something nice about it, so I took it to the Airline. I agree, it is a short but steep trail, much like the Scar Trail, with the same wild, mossy feeling. Then up the Airline to the Gulfside.

I had decided that if I did Adams I would go up Lowes Path, the "Brutus route". So I hiked along the wonderful section of the Gulfside between the Airline and Lowes Path, there are places where you might (with a bit of imagination) call it driveable.

By the time I reached Thunderstorm Junction I knew that I should conserve my energy. A couple of weeks ago I left Madison Hut feeling that I had enough energy to bag Adams; that was true, but once I got there I still had to go down on a now empty tank

I followed the Gulfside down to the junction with Israel Ridge Path, and slightly beyond did the very short trip up Adams 5. I went over rocks the whole way, so no vegetation was trampled!

At the back of my mind I had a plan to redline the section of the Gray Knob Trail between the Randolph Path and Lowes Path. So I went down the Israel Ridge Path to the Randolph Path to the Gray Knob Trail. The part going down Israel Ridge Path was easy, as the footing was the usual Rayner Edmands kind of footing. The Gray Knob Trail was another matter. The WMG merely writes:

Grades are mostly easy, but the footing is frequently rough ...

IMHO it is not rough, it is HORRIBLE Lots of roots, lots of talus, a trail to avoid unless you enjoy that kind of thing

The descent to the Pentatoi by the Hinks and Spur trails was rough, but manageable. From the Pentatoi I decided to take the Amphibrach, rather than the somewhat shorter Randolph Path, Short Line Trail and Airline Trail combination, since the WMG describes the Amphibrach as:

Its moderate grade and relative smoothness make it comparatively less difficult when descent after dark is necessary. It is, in fact, one of the kindest trails to the feet in this region

It was well before dark when I reached my car, but I still appreciated the "moderate grade and relative smoothness"!

Two trails redlined, one totally insignificant peak bagged, and a glorious day spent in the mountains. Life is good!!!!

 

[sapblatt]

Mohammed -
Nice report - I think we are both red lining a lot of the same trails these days!

 

[Kevin Rooney]

I tend to agree with you Mohamed about the Gray Knob Trail. Have only done it twice in non-winter seasons, but several times in winter when it's much better footing because it's mostly filled in. Still - it's not the easiest trail to follow, even in winter because of the small cairns. But, as a winter route - if you're headed to Jefferson from the Lowe's side, I find it preferable to taking the Randolph Path to the Perch, and then the Perch to treeline for the ascent due to 1) the downhill slab of several sections of the Randolph Path (tough for big dogs) and 2) with prevailing winds and little traffic, the Perch usually requires breaking out, at least in my experience. Having said that - in winter if returning from Jefferson to Lowe's Store I will often take it on the descent.