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

Camel's Hump (4,083 ft) 8-5-16

Distance: 6.48 mi.
Elevation: 2,242 ft (overall) 2,758 ft (total)
Time: 2:14 (Summit) 3:50 (Lodge) 4:41 (Total)
Trails: Burrows Trail, Long Trail, Alpine Trail, Long Trail, Forest City Trail, Connector Trail

I've been concentrating mostly on New England Hundred Highest (NEHH) peaks lately. Having not been on a 4000 footer for a while, I decided it was time to get back to them at least briefly. I decided to go back to Camel's Hump in Vermont. I'd been here only once before during my NE67 in one year attempt and it was a great peak. So I came back, but this time hiked from the western side instead of the eastern side. While doing the peak as a loop from the west, I decided to make a quick side trip to some of the plane wreckage on the mountain as well.

Nice gentle trail to start

I started up the Burrows Trail which eases into things smoothly, but it a bit rocky to start. Being a popular route up the mountain though, that isn't too surprising. It was predicted to be hot today, and it didn't take long before things were warming up. There wasn't much breeze in the trees either. The trail gradually works out of the hardwoods and into the softwoods. As it does this, it gets a bit steeper as well. As the trail steepens, it also becomes more rocky. It's still pretty good footing, just mostly over exposed rock.

Trail getting steeper and rockier

Just before the hut clearing, the trail levels off mostly with one quick and short descent just before the opening. The opening is a nice resting spot before the last push to the summit, and plenty of other hikers were making their way up and down through here. After a short rest and a few pictures, I headed up for the summit. The last hike to the summit starts with some steep stuff over rocky terrain. But soon it starts to come out of the trees and becomes a little less steep. Before long you are at the open summit and its 360 degrees views.

Coming out of the trees

At the summit it was a comfortable 65 degrees with a nice 10-15 mph breeze. A nice feeling after being in the trees. It was a bit hazy today, but the views were still quite nice. There was a decent crowd at the summit for a warm weekday. I talked with the head caretaker of the Vermont huts though, and he said it was about average. Significantly fewer than if it were the weekend.

View north from the summit

View east from the summit

View west from the summit

After spending nearly an hour at the summit, it was time to get moving again. I continued south on the Long Trail which loops around the summit some to avoid a steep drop off before crossing the bottom of it. After a short distance in the trees though, I headed down the Alpine Trail towards the plane wreckage. While I believe there is some wreckage right on the trail, I turned onto the first herd path that heads out to one of the wings. Most of the debris has been cleaned up or scavenged, but it's still kind of neat to see what is still there. It's sad though that the crash happened and as many people lost their lives as they did.

Large drop off on the southern side of the summit

Plane wreckage - Wing

Plane wreckage - Landing gear in the wing

Back on the Long Trail, I kept heading south. The trail descends steeply for a while before finally leveling off some. It's a bit rocky, but again footing was good. I saw more hikers through here than I expected since it was already part way into the afternoon. After the trail has leveled off for a while with a few views scattered along it, there is one last steep descent before the Forest City Trail. This descent also lead through a with very large boulders on both sides of the trail, making for a narrow passage between them.

Narrow boulder filled trail

Only about 100-200 feet past the Forest City Trail is the Montclair Glen Lodge and tent sites. A nice small hut/shelter where hikers can rest and sleep. I headed over too it took a break while checking it out. It's an interesting little shelter and about what I was expecting for something up on the mountains.

Montclair Glen Lodge

From the shelter back down to the car was an easy mostly gentle hike. It was a pretty easy grade headed down without many rocks. I was able to make good time through here and was at the junction with the Connector Trail back to the parking lot in what seemed like little time. There is an interesting bridge here over the brook, so I took some pictures. I then made my way down to the water so I could fill up the 2 now empty water bottles I had with cold water I would use back at the car to clean up my legs and dump over my head to cool down. And after a quick climb uphill to the car, I did just that.

Bridge on the Connector Trail

The hike went well today and I was glad to be back onto a 4K. I'm glad I did the hike in the direction that I did. While the other direction would have had a lot of easy or gradual inclines, it seemed like the steep parts would have been more tiring after the extra distance. All in all it was a good day even with temps back near 90 down at the car afterwards.

For all the pictures from the hike, just go HERE

Google Earth representation of the hike

Mt. Monadnock (3,165 ft) 7-27-16

Distance: 9.59 mi.
Elevation: 1,832 ft (overall) 2,489 ft (total)
Time: 3:24 (Summit) 4:30 (Park HQ) 5:58 (Total)
Trails: Ravine Trail, Pond Loop Trail, Birchtoft Trail, Red Spot Trail, Pumpelly Trail, White Dot Trail, Poole Road, Hinkley Trail, Birchtoft Trail, Pond Loop Trail

After a week driving around Maine for vacation, I stuck close to home for my most recent hike. With the personal goal of re-hiking all the trails on the Mt. Monadnock map in the upward direction again, it was time for a longer loop hike on the mountain with trails I haven't been on for a while. I wanted to get a number of trails checked off, so I started from the Gilson Pond trail head, since I could easily link a few together there. It's also the trail head I probably hike from the least, so it was time to get back there.

The first trail I wanted to hike was the Ravine Trail. A short little trail that is used very little and most people probably don't even know exists. To access the end that is lower in elevation, I needed to walk through the campground to get to the loop that goes to the remote campsites. You'll follow this path until just after the first remote campsite (tent pad on your right) where the trail starts on the left. Normally this trail follows a bit of a brook, but with the dry weather lately, it was a few spots of standing water today. This trail is only 0.29 miles, so pretty quickly I was at the junction with the Pond Loop Trail. Planning to hike this trail on the way back, I headed left to get to the start of the Birchtoft Trail. While going around the lake, I noticed a deer along shore where I would soon be going past on the Birchtoft Trail. I made sure to be quiet in hopes that I would be able to get close to it. I didn't bother getting my camera out though.

Ravine Trail

Starting out on the Birchtoft Trail, right where expected, the deer heard me coming and ran away from the pond. Unexpectedly, she stopped right next to the trail giving me a great view of her. The trail starts off very gentle even as it leaves the pond. Good footing and just a gentle incline. A nice way to warm up. After a few turns and some small ups and downs, I got to the junction with the Hinkley Trail which I planned to hike back on later today. After here it gets a bit more steep, but it's still not bad. Shortly before the end is the steepest section, just before it levels out and comes to the Cascade Link which you'll follow for less than 100 feet to the start of the Red Spot Trail.

Elevated rock along the Birchtoft Trail

The Red Spot Trail starts off easy as well, gradually getting steeper. As it goes up, it also becomes more rocky. For one section it's a pretty constant rock hope from one small rock to another. A little later it gets steeper and goes through a section of large rocks and then over some open slabs. Ample trail markers do well guiding you over the open areas so you go back into the trees in the correct spot. There weren't as many blueberries through here today as I was expecting. It was pretty hit or miss, possibly due to the dry weather. Near the top of the trail, you start going in and out of the trees again while the trail almost levels out just before the Pumpelly Trail. From here it's a pretty short hike over open rock to the summit.

Large rocks on the Red Spot Trail

Nearing the Pumpelly Trail

The summit was less crowded than I expected, but it was a weekday and the temperature has been a bit high this week. While at the summit, it was a comfortable 76 degrees with an 8 mph breeze. For my decent, I headed down the White Dot Trail instead of going back down the Red Spot. I normally avoid the trails from the park headquarters, but I was hoping Falcon Spring would be running and I could top off my water before making my way down to the Hinkley Trail. I made quick work of the decent passing a few descending hikers and some groups coming up. As I neared Falcon Spring, I could hear a number of people and took that as a good sign it was running and others were topping off as well.

Summit view north

Summit view west

White Dot Trail

After some refreshing water at the spring, I continued my quick descent down. There were either a number of groups headed up, or just one huge group. There must have been 100 people all right near each other as I neared the park headquarters. I was glad to be headed the other way. Passing right through the parking lot, I headed down the side of Poole Road until I got to the Hinkley Trail. The trail isn't obvious as there is no parking and the sign is around 100 feet into the woods, but if you are looking for it, you should be able to find it.

Falcon Spring

The Hinkley Trail is a nice lesser used trail. It's mostly flat for the entire length and follows a brook for a while. Today the brook was pretty much dried up though and not as nice as normal. Today the 1.21 mile hike up the trail went by pretty quickly and I was soon at the Birchtoft Trail again. I hiked back down to the pond again in quick time also. Then I turned left and headed back around the pond so I could hike the Pond Loop Trail again. The loop is around 3/4 of a mile with no real ups or downs as it follows the edge of the pond just off shore. Once done, I headed back along the campground roads to the parking lot and my car. Time for a nice rest after a nearly 10 mile hike on a hot sunny day.

Start of the Hinkley Trail

Hinkley Trail

For all the pictures from the hike, just go HERE

Google Earth representation of the hike