Tom Rankin
Well-known member
We started at 8:20 on the Rt. 23 side. The beaver activity is still very much evident, and the trail looks flooded after only 100 yards. But, if you go right (West) you will discover that there are enough sticks and rocks to whack your way across to the other side. At least yesterday, we crossed w/o getting our boots wet.
After this, the trail is muddy at times and very wide. It's an old trail (part of the Escarpment) and it has been re-routed in several places, but problem spots remain. We hit the junction after several switch backs, and started up past the lean-to. The trail after this is in better shape. We saw a lot of flowers today, including a large patch of Columbine. There are a few tiny water crossings, including one where we filled our water bottle twice. Cold and delicious!
We met a few people from time to time. Of note, was Bobby and his sister, the latter on her first 35R hike! Way to go!
The views at the top were somewhat muted by lots of clouds, and a large swath rose up in front of us as we looked east, temporarily blocking the view completely. We could see the Blackheads and a few other peaks towards the South. After hitting all the view points, we headed back, passing a pair of panting pooches, and several hikers.
Stats: Total time for just shy of 7 miles was about 3 1/2 hours with about 1700' of elevation gain. A little humid, but not terrible, no rain (some had fallen over night), and another tick in Laurie's Grid spread sheet!
After this, the trail is muddy at times and very wide. It's an old trail (part of the Escarpment) and it has been re-routed in several places, but problem spots remain. We hit the junction after several switch backs, and started up past the lean-to. The trail after this is in better shape. We saw a lot of flowers today, including a large patch of Columbine. There are a few tiny water crossings, including one where we filled our water bottle twice. Cold and delicious!
We met a few people from time to time. Of note, was Bobby and his sister, the latter on her first 35R hike! Way to go!
The views at the top were somewhat muted by lots of clouds, and a large swath rose up in front of us as we looked east, temporarily blocking the view completely. We could see the Blackheads and a few other peaks towards the South. After hitting all the view points, we headed back, passing a pair of panting pooches, and several hikers.
Stats: Total time for just shy of 7 miles was about 3 1/2 hours with about 1700' of elevation gain. A little humid, but not terrible, no rain (some had fallen over night), and another tick in Laurie's Grid spread sheet!
