S. Baker 3307', M. Baker 3361', N. Baker 3521' on Labor Day, 9/4
Following a similar route to yesterday's, instead of turning L to Lily Bay Mt, we continued on a well-maintained logging road further East until it dead-ended. Under a grey, drizzly sky Jim C., Onestep, and I donned our raingear and entered the wet, wet woods toward S. Baker. The steep flank was largely open mature balsam fir until the summit area, which, although considerably thicker, was no where near as nasty as Lily Bay's. On the misty, flat knob just SW of the true summit, Onestep and I both had a disorienting moment when our senses told us to proceed in one direction but the compass clearly pointed the opposite way... as usual, the compass was correct!
From South over to Middle the ridge was open with carpets of moss and wood sorrel. Near that summit we were startled by an enormous porcupine waddling nearby who seemed entirely unperturbed by our presence.
Travel conditions deteriorated over to N. Baker with more blowdown, thicker sections of conifers, and a series of false summits.
The bearing back to the car led through variably difficult terrain into the drainage of a stream from M Baker which, luckily, eventually hit an old logging road. In the flats approaching the car more thick alders and conifers proved that all the tough travel isn't always at higher elevations. Damp, but content we returned to our Greenville motel, where once again we clogged the shower drains with spruce needles.
S. Big Spencer 3170' and Little Spencer 3070' on 9/5
DMS penned an excellent post of our SBS hike but neglected to mention that he was so exhausted from his efforts to keep up with our high level of witty banter that he was unable to attempt Little Spencer that afternoon.
Little Spencer was Magnificent!! Steep and rocky, the trail provided sweeping views of the surrounding lakes and mountains at every turn. Ascending right beside more than a thousand vertical feet of cliff face gave this "little" peak a real big mountain feel. Amongst the stark talus nestled on a small shelf, Onestep noted a beautiful cluster of bright blue harebell in full bloom. From the summit, the long sharp ridge of Big Spencer was nearby, with terrific views of Katahdin and Whitecap in the distance. Lazing in the sun we regaled each other with tales of past whacks. Nate and I reluctantly left for the long drives to home and work the next day, leaving Onestep and Jim C. to write the final chapters of Whackfest Tree.
Following a similar route to yesterday's, instead of turning L to Lily Bay Mt, we continued on a well-maintained logging road further East until it dead-ended. Under a grey, drizzly sky Jim C., Onestep, and I donned our raingear and entered the wet, wet woods toward S. Baker. The steep flank was largely open mature balsam fir until the summit area, which, although considerably thicker, was no where near as nasty as Lily Bay's. On the misty, flat knob just SW of the true summit, Onestep and I both had a disorienting moment when our senses told us to proceed in one direction but the compass clearly pointed the opposite way... as usual, the compass was correct!
From South over to Middle the ridge was open with carpets of moss and wood sorrel. Near that summit we were startled by an enormous porcupine waddling nearby who seemed entirely unperturbed by our presence.
Travel conditions deteriorated over to N. Baker with more blowdown, thicker sections of conifers, and a series of false summits.
The bearing back to the car led through variably difficult terrain into the drainage of a stream from M Baker which, luckily, eventually hit an old logging road. In the flats approaching the car more thick alders and conifers proved that all the tough travel isn't always at higher elevations. Damp, but content we returned to our Greenville motel, where once again we clogged the shower drains with spruce needles.
S. Big Spencer 3170' and Little Spencer 3070' on 9/5
DMS penned an excellent post of our SBS hike but neglected to mention that he was so exhausted from his efforts to keep up with our high level of witty banter that he was unable to attempt Little Spencer that afternoon.
Little Spencer was Magnificent!! Steep and rocky, the trail provided sweeping views of the surrounding lakes and mountains at every turn. Ascending right beside more than a thousand vertical feet of cliff face gave this "little" peak a real big mountain feel. Amongst the stark talus nestled on a small shelf, Onestep noted a beautiful cluster of bright blue harebell in full bloom. From the summit, the long sharp ridge of Big Spencer was nearby, with terrific views of Katahdin and Whitecap in the distance. Lazing in the sun we regaled each other with tales of past whacks. Nate and I reluctantly left for the long drives to home and work the next day, leaving Onestep and Jim C. to write the final chapters of Whackfest Tree.
