X-C Traverse throught Lost Pass and Flat Mt Pond

[skibones]

After applying glide wax to my xc skis we started up Livermore for a trip to Lost Pass and Flat Mt Pond. We continued up Cascade Brook Trail and right after the clearing turned right and continued along the brook. After climbing a bit and doing mostly slipping back, a member of our group suggested that he apply klister wax to my skis so I would have better grip.( Next time I would use skins) That helped so we continued on. The snow was soft corn snow and was very fast especially on the down part of the trip. Because it was similiar to tree skiing it was impossible to snowplow to slow down. For me, falling was the only way to stop. I'm estimating that I took at least one hundred spills. And the spills were similiar to playing "Twister" only with skis on. We found the old railroad switch-seemed so out of place in the middle of the woods. We skied on the edge of Flat Mt Pond and had lunch at the shelter. From there we decided to continue to Sandwich instead of returning to Waterville Valley. We continued on Flat Mt Pond Trail and took the Bennett Street Trail to the end. Since only two in the group had originally planned to go all the way through to Sandwich , we had a slight transportation problem. We managed to fit the six of us in a small Kia--minus the skis. We arrived back at Waterville Valley 7:30pm.
It was quite an adventure and if anyone finds an nice pair of Karhu mountaining skis on E-Bay let me know --they're mine!!

 

[albee]

This sounds like it was a nice little adventure. I've always wanted to explore Lost Pass. What were the woods like? Open? I assume it wasn't too thick if your whole group was able to ski through. Is there a clear logging road that goes up to the pass? Did you see signs of lots of Moose activity?

That really stinks that someone took your skis. Especially since you live in the area and you wouldn't expect someone from your own neighborhood to do something like that. Did you make any effort to hide them when you left them? What model of Karhu were they? I have been thinking about buying a pair of the Karvers.

Thanks for the trip report!

 

[skiguy]

Thanks for posting this Trip Report. Sounds like you had a great time until you lost your skis....?? Is that what happen? Stolen? Simply BAD KARMA to whomever may have taken them.

 

[Cath]

Nice trip & report D Twister on Skis......... that's tough stuff on a long trip! Hopefully your skis turn up soon !!!

The WODC has a really nice map of the Sandwich Range Wilderness. The First edition (1991) indicated that the Old Woodbury and Old Pond Trails, which intersect slightly north of the actual pass, were for Winter Use Only. The Second edition (1995) does not indicate that, but the trails are only partial present (on the map) and the trail names are missing. I believe that the Third edition is almost ready or just recently printed. As always, The White Mountain Wanderer is a good source for information
www.mountainwanderer.com

From the Waterville x-country trail system, the Old Woodbury Trail is quite easy to navigate, and it ends at the Kate Sleeper / Downes Brook trail junction. I've been on a few Winter trips through this terrain, and found very nice conditions for snowshoeing & skiing. However, even in Winter, there are areas that appear to remain wet / unfrozen. There are nice views of South Tripyramid, the east side of Snow's Mt, as well as through the Pass itself.

I would imagine that it would be quite mucky & REALLY buggy during the height of non-Winter. Excellant Moose territory.

 

[psmart]

The WODC has a really nice map of the Sandwich Range Wilderness. The First edition (1991) indicated that the Old Woodbury and Old Pond Trails, which intersect slightly north of the actual pass, were for Winter Use Only. The Second edition (1995) does not indicate that, but the trails are only partial present (on the map) and the trail names are missing. I believe that the Third edition is almost ready or just recently printed

Lost Pass is especially wet and fragile. It's a great place for winter exploration, but won't tolerate much summer use before sustaining significant damage. That's why the "routes" through the pass were removed from the second edition of the WODC map, and won't appear on the upcoming third edition either. It just draws too much attention to a fragile area.

Don't get me wrong - this can be a great place to explore. But the USFS and WODC agreed that these routes shouldn't become official "trails", with all the attention and impact that would follow. Taking them off the map also provides the opportunity for others to "discover" the area for themselves, just as I did 20 years ago.

Edit: Exactly where did you leave the missing skis? Near the Bennett St. Parking lot? I can ask a couple of local folks if they've seen them.

 

[skibones]

Sorry for the confusion--we threw our skis in the woods because we couldn't fit six of us in the car with the skis. Someone in our party went back the next day to pickthem up and they were still where we left them-so we did get our skis back.
We didn't have to ski across any muddy patches. The woods in the Wilderness area was very thick-there was no room to snow plow and use the edges on the skis. If you were the last one you stayed in the track that was made by the other skiers. The temperture was warm enough to make it very fast--even with the klister wax on the skis.
Since that trip, I ordered some skins that I willl use next year if we do the trip again. The skis I used were Karhu "Pinnacle XCD". I have another BC ski-Fisher "Rebound Crown". Those are stiffer and wider. They probably would have been the better ski to use since I didn't get on edge much that day.

 

[skiguy]

Thanks for posting this Trip Report. Sounds like you had a great time until you lost your skis....?? Is that what happen? Stolen? Simply BAD KARMA to whomever may have taken them.

Glad you got your skis and maintained all the good karma for everyone!