Wildcat D (4,062 ft) 9-11-16

Distance: 5.62 mi.
Elevation: 2,083 ft (overall) 2,311 ft (total)
Time: 2:23 (Summit) 3:36 (Total - Ski Area Parking Lot)
Trails: Wildcat Ridge Trail, Ski Slopes

"A pole dancing unicorn, now I've seen everything."

For Flags on the 48 2016, our group decided to hike Wildcat D and fly our flag from the summit there. Our plan was to meet at the Glen Ellis Falls parking lot at 8am, gather our things and group, then head up the steep Wildcat Ridge Trail to the summit. While things to the north looked like they might already be clearing, the forecast for this morning was for a band of rain (with possible thunder and lightning) to come through around 10am. We discussed the weather and changed up our plan and supplies based on that. We collectively decided we would be going up, but paying attention to the weather while climbing. Knowing that the storm was coming and we might get turned back.

About 8:30am we headed out for the hike. Crossing the river was too difficult today, but with some slick rocks, Greg still managed to step in deeper than his boot. Almost immediately this trail heads straight up the mountain. It's steep and rocky and stays that way for quite a while. It's not a trail to underestimate when planning your hike. We weren't very far up the mountain when the morning rain started to come down. It was light to start (at least in the trees) so I put on my pack cover, but not my rain jacket. I didn't want to keep the rain off me just to end up sweating a bunch instead. Steadily the rain picked up and I eventually had to put my rain jacket on. By now the trail was starting to have a small stream of water coming down it.

Than rain picked up more and we started to see some flashes from lighting. We could tell from the delayed thunder that they were still a safe distance away though. As we started to get to some of the open rocky sections though, the storm was getting closer. We briefly discussed the storm and decided to keep going for now. A little further up the trail, we stopped at an open area to get a view of the storm. While here, the lightning struck much closer. We decided to venture into the trees and wait things out a bit. While we waited, we would see if the storm was bad enough to turn around. We were all fine with turning around, but none of us wanted to be the person to say we should yet. After about 30 minutes of standing around telling stories, we decided it was time to get moving either up or down the trail so we didn't get too cold. We decided the storm had died down enough that we could continue up.

We kept heading up the mountain and the rain progressively got better and better. By the time the trail finally started to level out some as it neared Wildcat E peak, we were actually starting to see some patches of sun coming through. We traversed over E peak and down to the top of the ski area. We took a short break hear with the sun coming out before pushing up the last short climb to the summit. As soon as we arrived, we dropped our packs and started getting out the flag setup.

Jim brought a pair of C-clamps with a plan to clamp the pole to the posts on the platform at the summit. We put the pole together, attached the flag, and raised the whole thing up. The wind was blowing pretty fast today and the flag was whipping around quite a bit. It took multiple people to hold the pole still so we could get the clamps on. Unfortunately, the clamps weren't working well. We couldn't get them on tight enough or the placement made it hard to turn the handle. We tried various different setups with wood shims and bungee cords before we finally got the pole nearly tight. At this point though, we looked up and noticed that the wind had actually bent the metal conduit upper section of the pole significantly. We wouldn't be able to leave the setup this way, so we had to come up with another plan.

Getting the flag ready

Setting up the flag

Still trying to attach the pole to the platform

We discussed various ways of using part of the pole to fly the flag out to the side of the platform. In the end though, we decided to just drape the flag down over the side. Of course immediately the wind blew the flag back up onto the deck. So I got out the few few of para cord I carry in pack to tie the end down. This ended up being the only rope we had with us today. Knowing we had clamps, no one brought any extra rope. This setup worked well and was what we used for the 2 hours of flying the flag.

Coming up with option #2

After getting the flag setup, Brian and Greg got to work cooking hot dogs for lunch. The plan was to bring a bunch and offer them to hikers that came by. Based on the weather though, we cut back to just one package of (of 24) and that was more than enough. After we ate, we sat in the sun that was now fully out and just relaxed. Eventually Brian got restless and started acting goofy in his new unicorn hat. He pretended to be a pull and Jay tried to tame him with a makeshift cape. He posed and pranced in front of the flag some. And while taking down our flag setup, he even used the pole for some dancing. The man just isn't right in the head.

Time for hotdogs

Now flying from the deck

Cloud capped Presidential Range

We have unicorn approval

Prancing unicorn

Summit fun

Folding the flag

For the descent, we decided to take the easy route by going down the ski slopes. No one really wanted to carry the flag pole down the steep trail, especially if it was still wet from the rain. The hike down went well and soon we were at the base. Jim tried hitchhiking solo to go back and get a car for us, and he was quickly picked up. Soon we were all back at the parking lot and packing up.

In the end, the rain and storm made for an interesting and slightly slower ascent, but the day turned out quite nice. A fun time was had even though not many hikers were out today. A few other groups had to changed plans for some of the higher and more exposed peaks, but confirmation was had for all 48 peak groups again this year. A truly remarkable feat given the weather and conditions. All the hikers that volunteer to do this event get another big round of applause again this year.

Google Earth representation of the hike

For all the pictures from the hike, just go HERE

Goose Eye Mountain (3,870 ft) 9-10-16

Distance: 7.84 mi.
Elevation: 2,254 ft (overall) 2,834 ft (total)
Time: 1:27 (Carlo Col Campsite) 3:25 (Summit) 4:59 (Total)
Trails: Carlo Col Trail, Mahoosuc Trail, Goose Eye Trail

Having a group hike planned for Sunday's Flags on the 48 event, I made the most of a trip north by adding another day and another hike before hand. Goose Eye Mountain is on the short list of remaining peaks I have for the New England Hundred Highest (NEHH) list. It's also a far enough drive from home, I didn't really want to do it without adding another day/peak to the trip.

I headed north early in the morning and eventually made my way to Success Pond Rd in Berlin, NH. The start of the road was a bit rough, but soon it smoothed out some. With my car I think I only ever got up to 20 mph, but with a bigger vehicle you could have gone faster. I was impressed with how well trails and other items were marked on this road. That made it easy to find where I would be starting from today. There was a nice big trail sign right next to the road. There isn't much room for parking (about 4 vehicles easily), but I suspect this isn't that popular of a hiking spot most days.

The Carlo Col and Goose Eye Trails start out together heading up a narrow dirt road before the Goose Eye Trail turns off into the woods on the left. Wanting to save my legs for tomorrow's steep climb, I planned to descend the steeper Goose Eye Trail and head up the Carlo Col Trail. I followed the road up further until it's forks. Here there is a sign indicating that you take the left fork. Shortly after that, there is another sign on the left indicating where the trail turns into the woods.

Early section of Carlo Col Trail

There is a brook crossing just into the trees, but with the dry summer, it was very easy to cross. The trail stays gradual and easy to follow. It stays near the brook and doesn't have any real obstacles. You can see through the trees that the area just to the left was logged a while back and now is growing in with lots of new saplings. Soon you'll cross the brook again just below a nice pool. On the other side of the brook was the first set up wooden steps along the trail.

Log stairs

The trail crosses the brook a couple more times with each crossing getting smaller. It also continues to gain elevation, getting steeper near the New Hampshire and Maine border. The trail didn't get as steep as I was expecting though. In a few more places, there are more wooden stairs built. In one spot it appeared that they used trees that had been blown down to do this. The surrounding area looked nice and cleaned up. These conditions continued until the Carlo Col Campsite. At the campsite there is a nice simple shelter, a few tent platforms, and regular tent spots.

Carlo Col Campsite shelter

From the campsite, it's a short distance up to the Mahoosuc Trail (AT). The trail is a bit rockier through here as it sees more traffic, but it's not bad. At the intersection I turned left and headed north. Still climbing on the way up Mt. Carlo. The climb to the summit here seemed to take longer than I was expecting. Perhaps I was just off in my estimation of how far had been up the trail. The fact that the trail gradually levels out so you can't see a peak in front of you probably helped. The summit of Mt. Carlo has some views as it's partially open. There is an open area at the high point, but short trees are all around you and block the view a little bit in some directions.

The trail descends down Mt. Carlo with some steeper rocky spots. In a few places footing was tricky to find. In a couple though, small footsteps have been drilled/carved into the rocks. These were hard to descend facing forward as it was tricky to get just your heels into them. Eventually I just turned around and came down them backwards. After reaching the low spot between the peaks, the trail starts climbing again. It starts with some switchbacks to keep it from being too steep, but does go straight up some steeper sections of trail. After one of these sections, you'll come to a nice open spot shortly before the summit. After that, the trail will get steep again and soon go up some metal rungs attached into the rocks. After those, your climb over one rock, turn, and then see a tall ladder as well. Just past this you'll come to the junction with the Goose Eye Trail and the last few hundred feet to the summit.

View of Goose Eye from Mahoosuc Trail

Steel rungs for a ladder

Goose Eye summit

View from the summit

View north from the summit

A sign at the summit helps show what direction the trail leads down off the mountain, but blazing was pretty faded at this time. I was only able to find one or two faded blazes and had to look for the more worn path to help. Once you make your way into the trees though, the path is much easier to follow. It narrow, steep, and rocky, but easy to follow. Gradually the rocks go away, but the trail stays pretty steep for a while with a few flat sections. Gradually the trail does get less steep, but I was glad to have done the loop the direction I did. My knees are still good enough that I don't mind descending steep trails and I know that going up them will wear out my legs quicker than a longer more gradual route. Having a steep climb ahead of me tomorrow, I didn't need that today.

Descending the Goose Eye Trail

Once lower down on the mountain, you'll start to come near areas that have been logged semi-recently. Trees have grown up quite a bit, but they are much smaller than the older trees around. Coming down through here, at times I got the feeling that the trail has been moved to accommodate the logging operations. The tread way shows less wear than I would have expected, and at the crossing of a skidder trail there was an arrow made out of sticks pointing down it. Perhaps this is just a shortcut, or maybe it leads to an old trail.

Down near the bottom, the trail pretty much flattens out for a significant distance at the end. It turns to the left and then nears some logging roads. After following one briefly, the trail comes out onto it for a short distance. At a clearly marked turn, the trail ducks back into the woods on the right. From here back to the Carlo Col Trail there are two water crossings that were very easy today, but could be tricky in the spring or after a hard rain. In this section there were also a couple spot where it looked like an old trail had been blocked off. Further making me think the trail might have been moved at some point.

Google Earth representation of the hike

For all the pictures from the hike, just go HERE

Mt. Monadnock (3,165 ft) 9-1-16

Distance: 4.39 mi.
Elevation: 1,780 ft (overall) 1,825 ft (total)
Time: 1:58 (Summit) 3:24 (Total)
Trails: Marlboro Trail

Looking to check another day off the calendar on Mt. Monadnock, I decided to hike the Marlboro Trail so I could revisit the entire length of it and re-log the sections with my GPS. This ended up not working out quite as well as intended though as my GPS had a hard time to start with calculating elevation and distance traveled. It had the route correct, but the elevation was wrong and the tiles keeping track of the totals quickly became inaccurate. That's fine though as it just gives me yet another reason to come back to this trail.

It was cloudy and humid to start, but the trail is pretty gradual in the beginning. About 1/4 of a mile up the trail I spotted a large beehive or hornet nest. It was just off the trail, so I looked to see if it was still active. After seeing some activity, I left the area since I recently had 3 stings that swelled up for almost a week before going away. The trail soon gets a bit steeper, but does so in sections for the most part. You'll find an incline that has a short flat section after it.

Soon though, the real climb starts. The first steep climb on the trail is also the longest. You'll quickly gain elevation over some rocky terrain with nice stone work in places to help out. There appear to be paths through here around sections, but please stay on the trail and use the route that is well marked out. It's really not that tough, you are climbing a mountain after all. At the top of this climb you'll come to a small rocky opening with a bit of a view. Keep going just a bit further and the trails opens up to a much better viewpoint. From here up to the junction with the Marian Trail it's an enjoyable hike over mostly open rock with some sections in the trees.

Start of the steep climb

View from Marlboro and Marian Trail junction

After the junction, you'll be mostly back into the trees, but through some small open areas as well. The trail varies between steep sections and shorter gradual sections. Footing will also start to include more roots and large rocks as well. It can be a good test of your legs at times, but still be enjoyable too. Eventually you'll start to come out of the trees a bit with one last scramble to get above treeline. From here, it's a relatively short distance to the summit without much elevation gain. You'll just have some large and potentially steep sections of rock to get up and around at times.

Above treeline

Today, the clouds were pretty low in the sky and just a bit overhead on the summit. A few clouds at times appeared to be coming in right at summit height until they went over or around the mountain. While not the best day for great views from the top, it was still nice with some interesting cloud formations. It was also pretty quiet with very few hikers out yet. I almost had the summit to myself while I was up there.

View south from the summit

Clouds coming towards the summit

Clearing skies on the descent

The climb down went by pretty quickly and easily today. The clouds were starting to clear up as I ducked back into the trees, but didn't fully clear up until I was done with the hike. I saw only one pair of hikers while I was descending. These were the only other hikers I saw on this trail today. It was quiet enough near the bottom that I could hear lots of small noises off in the woods. For one of those noises, I stopped to look and see if I could see what caused it. While I didn't see the cause, I was able to spot a Barred Owl in a different direction. I wasn't able to get the best pictures of it with the low light and short camera lens, but it was nice to see it none the less. A short time later, I was back at the truck making a plan to go for a quick swim in front of my uncle's camp as a way to clean off and cool down before doing my other activities for the day.

Barred Owl

Active hive along the trail

For all the pictures from the hike, just go HERE