Mt. Cabot (4170)

Trail: Unknown Pond Trail & Killkenny Ridge Trail
Date: Saturday & Sunday 06/14&15/2003
Attending: Gabe, Simone, John Chicoine, & Gary Gilchrest
Miles: 8 Time: 7+ hours total.
AMC huts, / shelters / camping site: Unknown Pond campsite
Weather: Rainy and very damp on Saturday, Overcast and wicked muggy on Sunday.

“Well, we knocked the bastard off!” Sir Edmund Hillary

# 48!!! What crappy weather to end a 5 year quest to finish the 4K’s before Gabe reached his 16’th birthday, BUT WE DID IT!.

Thank you Gary and Shawn for keeping us company on Soooo many trips up to the Whites and encouraging us along the way.

We planned for the damp and the mosquitoes, (we had both, in way more than our fair share). We scheduled our Saturday 2.2-mile hike from the Mill Brook Road in Stark New Hampshire, up the Unknown Pond Trail to the designated campsite so that we would get there by 7:00PM. We didn’t want to have to hang around the site too long before we hit the sack. The Campsite was very damp and there was no chance we would dry off the sweat and rain through the night. I’m generally against campfires while hiking but I had to try and get one started that night. Everything was totally soaked from a week of rain before we got there. But, thanks to following strict Royal Ranger protocol for a starting fires in damp conditions I managed to start the much needed fire to fend off the damp / chill / and Mosquitoes! We hit the sack by 8:00PM.

We were up by 6AM and on the trail early in hopes to manage to get off the mountain before the predicted “Thunder Showers by afternoon”. (The weather never cleared up much during our entire hike and stayed mostly cloudy / partly sunny thought the day). We hit the trail by 7AM and managed to bag Cabot summit by 9AM. Of all our hikes in the whites this was our least favorite hike. Other than the milestone of being our last 4K peak, this hike, campout and summit was one that none of us would even remember other than the wet, cold, and mosquitoes. There was absolutely no reason to hang out at the summit much longer than it took for Gary to hand out some celebratory gifts and a few Snickers-bites. Gary gave Gabe a bottle of Military strength foot-powder, (Gary’s been Gabes Tent-mate for most of these hikes!). He gave Simone a Thermometer zipper pull and for some reason felt it was appropriate to give me a bottle of camp soap; just what are we implying here!

A tip for other 4K hopefulls,,,,, Don’t leave this peak as your last one! Pick one that will be memorable!

As we headed back towards the Horn we began to see a few small breaks in the thick overcast so we opted to hike to the Horn in hopes of enough favorable openings for a few views. That’s exactly what we got, a few quick views of some of the neighboring peaks. Our Spirits weren’t lifted much by what we saw, (or didn’t see). We didn’t hang around long. We trudged back to the campsite hungry and in need of replenishing our water for the short hike out. We suffered through the mosquito infestation long enough to whip up some Tuna-Wraps and break camp. We were on our way down the last leg of the hike by 1PM and we weren’t slowing down for anything. The temps were reaching the low 70’s and the infestation of Mosquitoes were drawn to our sweat drenched bodies like flies to dung. We managed to make it to the car by 2PM, beat from the humidity and our mad rush out.

On our ride home we meandered through Stark, (visiting John Stark’s impressive statue) and all the various sites in Stark. (both of them) After that 5-minute diversion we started the 4-hour drive back home. This was definitely one hike I can surely say it was nice to be home; our trip and our 5 year quest were finally done.

“It is also vandalism wantonly to destroy or to permit the destruction of what is beautiful in nature, whether it be a cliff, a forest, or a species of mammal or bird. Here in the United States we turn our rivers and streams into sewers and dumping-grounds, we pollute the air, we destroy forests, and exterminate fishes, birds and mammals — not to speak of vulgarizing charming landscapes with hideous advertisements. But at last it looks as if our people were awakening.” Theodore Roosevelt

Mt. Cannon (4100)

Trail: Kinsman Trail, from the Cannon Tramway parking lot to Cannon summit

Date: September 19, 1998

Attending: Dawn and Scott Hinkle, Gabe, Simone, & John Chicoine

Miles: 4.2-mile Time: 2.75 hrs. up, 2.5 hrs. down

AMC huts, / shelters / camping site: Cannon Summit Ski lodge

Weather: Sunny, (except on Cannon summit, thick fog) 60’ish,

The day was supposed to clear up into the PM hours so we decided to go for it. We talked Scott and Dawn Hinkle into attending this peak with us. This was their first hike in the Whites and even though Simone and I thought we had been really clear as to what 4K peak bagging was all about. We had never done this trail before so we could only hope for the best. The trail starts at the Cannon Mountain Ski Area parking lot; immediately climbing up steeply as it passes through lots of eroded crumbling sand-stone gullies. There was lots of erosion of the trail (I personally believe this trail needs to be re-routed or shutdown). The second half of the trail has lots of loose rock and gravel. This trail is really showing it’s excessive use and is in need of serious maintenance.

As we progressed into mid morning the clouds thickened instead of dissipating and the summit became damp and fogged in. Gabe was hiking just up ahead of the rest of us; (We were just barely a minute behind him) and at the first of the lookouts Gabe had a great view of the Franconia Notch for just a few seconds and then like a curtian closing, the clouds fogged everything over just as we rounded the corner to the lookout. We saw nothing but a thick white wall of cloud. At one point Simone was standing 40 yards away from the Tram Lodge and she thought the eve of the lodge was another summit off in the distance. At least the Tram lodge had restrooms and a cafeteria for us to sit and relax for a few moments. The summit was damp and the wet and the wind pushed the cold down into the bone. The temps were actually in the 45’ish range. After warming for a few moments in the lodge we started our slow descent.

As fate would have it that day, just as we walked out of the woods into the parking lot the sky cleared and we could see the Tram Lodge clearly from the parking lot. We consoled ourselves with a pizza at the pizza shop in Lincoln. This did not make for a great first hike for Dawn and Scott; bummer. (They commonly refer to this hike as “The Hike From Hell”.) As for us, it was just one more peak in the long list of 4K’s. One that I doubt we’ll ever repeat even on a great day. I have since seen someone with a great idea for this mountain. He is saving this mountain as his last 4K peak so that when he bags this peak he can have all his non-hiking friends and family take the tram up and celebrate with him when he gets there. That is a great idea!

Mt. Carrigain (4680)

Trail: Signal Ridge Trail
Date: Sunday 10/7/2001
Attending: Gabe, Simone, John Chicoine, Gary & Pete Gilchrest, & Shawn White
Miles: 10 Time: 7+ hours total.
AMC huts, / shelters / camping site:
Weather: Partly cloudy, 35 to 45. Snow flurries.

“In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks.” John Muir

What a wonderful crew to hike with and possibly no better day of the year to do it on. The temps were comfortably cool and the foliage was at full peak. Mt. Carrigan is one of the finest in the Whites and it’s located just about right in the heart of it all. Today was a day of extreme contrasts between the bright sun shining through the clouds, the spectacular snow squalls scattered throughout the entire mountain range, and the stunning bright colors of the peak fall foliage on the mountain sides. It’s no doubt that we were standing in the midst of some of God’s finest work.
So this is what is meant by Genesis 1:31 “And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good.”

looks like homeless bums hanging out at the base of the tower.

The trail starts 2.5 miles down Sawyer road off of Rt.16 just north of the center of Bartlett. (Side note! Bartlett has no gas available! Bear Notch road is 27 miles to the nearest gas or you can fill up 6 miles southeast on Rt. 16.) The first 1.7 miles of this trail is easy flat hiking along an old access road. There are a few river crossings that are of no consequence at low water but some of the river crossings didn’t have pronounced riverbanks so I suspect they could flood wide areas at high water. At 1.7 miles the more serious hiking begins and doesn’t let up for the next 2.5. Although I can’t say there are any particularly steep sections on this trail, I wouldn’t say that this is an easy hike. The trail maintains a steady strenuous assent up to the open ridge ½ mile from the summit. This trail has a unique 1-mile long section of birch lined trail. This entire stretch of trail is cut like one long stair step up the side of the mountain with the white birch trees on the down hill side of the trail. The open ridge is mostly flat for ¼-mile with the last ¼-mile ascending steeply through a protected wooded stretch.

The Summit of Carrigain would be a wooded summit if it were not for the man made clearing where there is a wonderful lookout tower that offers some of the best views in the Whites. In the last wooded section of the hike just before the summit there are several very nice tenting sites. But for my money if I were to pack a full overnight pack up this close to the summit I would be very tempted to sleep on the deck of the tower.

Despite the awesome views, one of my most memorable moments of this hike was seeing the expression on Shawn’s face when a Gray Jay zoomed in over his shoulder and landed on his outstretched hand to snatch up his offering of trail mix. Shawn had never before heard about the feeding habits of the grays. There seemed to be lot of such moments for all of us on this hike. The sites were absolutely awe inspiring. The tower was an indescribable treat. Hiking in the snow squalls added another memorable aspect to this adventure. Gabe couldn’t resist the opportunity to show off to Pete and did a full immersion into one of the pools in Sawyer brook. (At the time, the temps had noticeably dipped to into the 30’s.) Gary encouraged Gabe with an offer of a Snickers bar if he went through with the swim.
Of Course, Gary didn’t actually have a Snickers bar on him at the time. (A point that Gary neglected to mention.) but he did bring Gabe his reward the next time we got together.

On the drive home Scar Ridge had never looked so beautiful. The Snow Squalls had painted a fresh coat of white powder onto the hills like a sprinkling of powdered sugar onto the deep rich greens of the pines and the vibrant reds and yellows of peak foliage season. Simply breath taking and well deserving of a few pictures if we hadn’t used up all the film already. All things I’m sure we will all fondly remember for a long time to come.

Another part of this trip I hope I remember is the ride home. For future reference: Never attempt another hike on Columbus Day weekend that requires a drive on the Kanc on late Sunday evening. It took 5 hours to get home retracing the drive that only took 3.5 hours in the AM.

Till next time! *** May God Bless ***

This was #’ 42 for Simone and I, # 40 for Gabe.

“I am always glad to touch the living rock again and dip my hand in the high mountain air.” John Muir

Carter Dome, Mt. Height, South Carter, Middle Carter

(4832, 4600, 4430, 4610)

Trail: 19 Mile Brook – Carter Dome, Carter/Moriah, North Carter, lower Imp
Date: Oct. 2&3 1999
Participants: John, Simone & Gabriel Chicoine, Gary Gilchrist, Shawn White, Will Gilchrist, & Nick Paddock.
Miles: Day 1 6-miles to Dome & back to Mt. Height Time:7hrs
Miles: Day 2 7-miles from Mt. Height to Rt16
Time:7.5hrs
AMC huts, / shelters / camping site: None
Weather: 10/2 Sunny, high 60’s, … 10/2 Cloudy, drizzle, rain.

The Carter Dome Trip Report By: Gabe Dude

 

Just this Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 2 & 3, our little group hiked the Carter Dome, so I’m gonna tell you all about it. Really early Saturday morning, John, Simone, Shawn White, and I left Gardner, Massachusetts at around 5:30a.m. We made a stop at Burger King (which is a horrible place to get breakfast) in Conway, made our last bathroom stop, and then headed on to the Carters. We arrived at the Nineteen Mile Brook Trailhead at around 10:00a.m.There we met up with the other hikers at around 10:15. As we were pulling gear out of the car trunk, I saw that Shawn, who had decided to go minimalist for the hike, had a huge, nearly four foot long pack. Yikes! I’d hate to see him hiking when he’s not minimalist. As we started the pretty gradual ascent, I noticed that the foliage was not the greatest this year, but the trail was still very pretty. I would recommend the first mile or so as a nice family hike. It has a lot of nice spots to swim in, since it follows a river for the first couple miles.

We then connected to the Carter Dome Trail, and hiked for a while till we reached Carter Dome. I would like to add that Carter Dome doesn’t have much of a view at all. It is a treed in summit. But there are a few spots where you peer through the trees for some nice views like this one looking out over the Carter Moriah Range. Here, we are looking out over our next day’s hiking trip, South, Middle and North Carter.

We then came back down the trail a ways until we got to where the Carter Dome Trail and another trail meet at Zeta Pass. Then we hiked over to Mount Height. Somewhere near the Summit we camped out. Just in case any park rangers are out there reading this, we camped out legally. J We had a good dinner (but not before Gary broke out into the Spam Anthem, Gary and Will had Spam,), then headed to bed. Gary chose to sleep without any tent or tarp although we did set up Shawn’s tarp in case the weather got bad. Gary was lucky that we did set up a tarp, because it did rain that night with pretty bad winds. My mother and father and I slept in a tent.

The next day we packed up, ate, and then hiked out. About a mile down the trail we said goodbye to the others who were to hike down the Carter Dome trail. We continued down Carter-Moriah trail to get South Carter and Middle Carter. By that time we were getting a pretty bad drizzle and strong winds. We then went down the long and exhausting last five miles down Imp Trail. Finally, we reached our car which Gary had moved to the other trailhead for us. The last and best stop on our journey was The Subway grinder we had for supper. J

For your info, this is our route in order:

From Route 16 take 19 Mile Brook Trail to Carter Dome trail, to the Carter-Moriah Trail via the Zeta Pass to Mt. Carter Dome. Then, the Carter- Moriah Trail back to Mt. Height cut off. Day 2 Back to Zeta Pass then, with the Carter-Moriah to South Carter and over Middle Carter. Then you come down the North Carter Trail to the Imp Trail and down to Route 16. The hike between the two parking lots is just about 1/2 mile.

Mt Eisenhower (4761)

Trail: Edmonds Path to Eisenhower loop

Date: Sunday 9/20/98

Attending: Gabe, Simone, & John Chicoine

Miles: 3.3 mi. Time: 3 hours to summit. 5hr 45min. total.

AMC huts, / shelters / camping site: None

Weather: Cool and clear fall day, with a nice breeze on the summit

 

To get there from Rt.3, take Rt. 302 past Mt. Washington Rd. to Mt Clinton Rd. just across from the Crawford Notch R.R. Station. Drive two miles up Clinton Rd. to Edmonds Path Trailhead parking lot on the right. We really like this trail. It’s very well maintained and the trail is very interesting. Quite a distance up, there is rock gateway built onto the trail! (It would be cool enough to find this a few hundred feet into the trail, but to find it so far along, it represents lots of hiking for lots of days just to get to the location.) There are two bridges at the start of the trail over a nice foot-washing stream that we always like to see as we start out a hike because we know that we’ll be cooling off the dogs later in the day. (Refreshing!!!) We took only one 5-minute break on this climb, but the trail is not excessively tiring. For those of you willing to risk large fines by camping in illegal camp sites, we noticed a possible camp site 2/3 of the way up. The trail loops past and around the summit, then up (Eisenhower loop) bolder climb, (not ledge) steeply up a 100ft. rock pile that makes up the dome like summit of Eisenhower.

On the summit we met a nice family that had been over-nighting on the Southern Presidentials and planning to spend another night in the gulf below Mt Franklin. The husband had just finished his 4K’s and had planned to re-do them with his Wife and two girls 7 & 10 years old. The 10 year old had 7 peaks and the 7 year old was just starting out. This was our 4’th peak and attempting to complete all 48 was hardly a flickering thought, but they strongly encouraged us to go for it. (It was quite an encouragement to see his family enjoying themselves out here.) After lingering quite a bit, we got it into our heads that we might be able to get to Mt. Monroe, (only 1.5 miles) away, if we hurry! (it was after 2:00 by now.)

Society speaks and all men listen,
mountains speak and wise men listen.” John Muir

Hiking Lesson # 1; (1.5 miles one way is 3 miles round trip.) You’d think educated people like us would be able to figure that out before trying it out.

Hiking Lesson # 2; (Never change your itinerary just because a summit looks like it’s “just over there”.)

Needless to say, we never made it to Mt. Monroe. (This is the second time we were just 20 minutes from the top of Monroe but didn’t summit. I ran out of steam and we just ran out of time, under a 1/2 mile away from the summit. We did hike over to Mt. Franklin (Not an official 4k summit) but it has very nice views none the less. Although Mt. Eisenhower was a moderate hike, do-able in less than 6 hours round trip, we added 2+ hours to the day by trying to “bag” Monroe. We were beat by the end of the day. I remember just wanting to nap in the cool mossy patch by the car. But, we still had the long 3.5-hour ride home so after only a 5-minute nap, off we drove.

Mt. Flume (4328)

Trail: Lincoln Woods Tr. to Osseo Tr.

Date: Sunday 9/23/00

Attending: Gary, Shawn, Ralph, Gabe, Simone and John

Miles: 11 Time: 7.25 hours round trip

AMC huts, / shelters / camping site:

Weather: Cloudy, 60’s at the base, 30’s on the summit, rain the return trip.

“Climb steadily, slowly, enjoy each passing moment; and the view from the summit will serve as a fitting climax to the journey.” Joe Porcino

How could someone have asked for more? All of our favorite hiking partners, Gary Gilchrest, Shawn White, Ralph Chicoine, Gabe, Simone & me. A wonderful trail! An awesome summit! Temps in the low 60’s, COLD driving wind and rain on the peak, (we were all prepared for this), and a gentle shower for most of the return hike; Topped with a high cloud ceiling, affording us interesting views of all of the surrounding mountains.

Another spectacular hike in the Whites. #38. The Osseo trail is an absolute must hike trail. Nowhere in the Whites is there another trail quite so impeccably well maintained. What a pleasure to hike. Shawn hiked the trail in his running sneakers and Simone hiked the entire trail in her hiking sandals. I want to be careful that I don’t imply that this hike as an easy hike. Osseo climbs steadily along it’s 4.1 mile length, and the elevation is substantial, 3150ft. The total round trip mileage is at the upper limits of our day hike capabilities, 11 miles, but this trail has a way of making all those things as pleasant as any trail in the Whites. At every location where the trail could present a section of difficult footing, there is a rock staircase. And where other trails would have you rock scrambling through eroded bolder paths, this trail has lengths of wooden staircases. I can’t confirm this, but I do not contest it; it was published on the internet that between rock & wooden steps, this trail has 396 stairs. All of which lead you to one of the most striking summit peaks in the Whites. The Flume is an awesome peak open 360 degrees. The summit affords one of the most unique views of the Franconia range and the Pemigewassett wilderness; and the short ledge section to the peak is fantastic!

The cloud ceiling was just hovering at the tops of the high peaks and

the views were limited to 30 miles under a dark sky, but we loved it. The wind was near 40Mph and it started to rain just after we got to the summit. Our return trip was in and out of a moderate rain, but the hike back was another treat. Other than the rock & wood steps the rest of the trail is soft forest floor. We hiked as speedily and comfortably as we have on any trail we’ve ever hiked. The AMC guide estimated 4.25 hours to the summit, we hiked it in 3.45 and the return trip took just over 3 hours. 11 miles, in 7hrs and 15min. with a 15 minute stay on the summit and a few much needed breaks along the way. (Not bad for trail snails.)

A note for future hikes. Although the Osseo trail follows very close along a river, it does so from several hundred feet above it so filtering water along the way is a difficult proposition. We did it, but the trip to the river is down and up a long steep embankment. (Best to pack all the fluid you’ll need for the entire trip.) There is a nice but illegal site (right on the side of the trail) within 1/2 mile from the summit of the peak. It looks very heavily used and recent people that used this trail didn’t know much about low impact camping.

A note of interest: We noticed a berry we’ve never seen before. It formed a cluster of 15 to 20 white glossy berries at the top of the plant. Each berry was on it’s own thick red stem about 1 inch long, branching out from the main trunk of the 2ft. tall plant. Each branch contained a berry, and was about 1/2 inch away from the next stem up the trunk. According to “The Audubon Society’s Guide to Wildflowers”, this is the “very poisonous” White Baneberry.

A comment by Gary about “Why Hike?” He loves the social aspect of the hike. I agree! In what other situation can people get together and have continual conversations for hours on end, about anything, everything, and nothing in particular at all? Where it’s just as OK to not say anything as it is to say something. Where you can share thoughts that might never elsewhere surface. Where a nucleus group share in a physical challenge, place their safety and even life in the partnership formed at the trailhead. Where personal goals, even shared goals, are second to the groups needs. Where else can holes in someone’s sweater, pain in someone’s feet, and the reward for one of the hardest days you’ve faced is a 3 hour ride in the stinky’ist 20 cubic feet known to man, make you a brotherhood. It’s good stuff. Where else can you share day old cake kept in the trunk of a car, eaten with your hands while standing in a parking lot and feel like the luckiest people alive!

“The Wilderness holds answers to questions man has not yet learned how to ask.” Nancy Newhall

Mt. Galehead (4024)

Trail: Gailhead River trail off Gale River fire rd. (closes in winter), Frost Trail.

Date: October 19, 1998

Attending: Paul, Matt and Nicole LeBlanc, Gabe, Simone, & John Chicoine

Miles: 10.2-miles Time: 7.5 Hrs.

AMC huts, / shelters / camping site: Gailhead hut (it was closed for the season)

Weather: Partly sunny, Overcast (very high ceiling) 60’ish,

Our first hike with Paul and his family. The whole family was supposed to come along, but Sarah was sick so Joanne stayed home with her. Can these guys hike! We hustled our butts off this day. These guys are on a mission. I don’t think they hardly take the time to look up. We hit the trail at 9:00 and finished by 4:30. Ten miles. The first 2.5 miles is just a flat hike along the Gale River valley. The next section of the hike is a well-maintained gradual (slightly more than moderate climb up to Galehead hut.) We really liked the trail. It’s a lot like Edmonds path up Mt. Eisenhowser. From the hut, it’s another .5 miles on Frost Trail to Galehead’s wooded summit spot. (a clearing barely big enough to fit the six of us for a picture). We had lunch on the porch of the Galehead hut, (I forgot our lunch food) (AMATURE), but we had lots of snacks and Paul had packed food for five so he had plenty of extra.

From the porch of the Gailhead hut, the views of the Twin Mountains were great, but the autumn leaves were all but gone. The hills were gray and sullen, as they waited for the cold of winter to fall upon them. We used the same trail back to get to the car. Simone and I couldn’t keep up with Paul and his clan. We tried, but we were hustling and stumbling along just trying to keep up. Simone slipped knee deep into the river at one of the crossings. It was a blessing in disguise because her toes were just starting to cramp up and the cold water dunking stopped the pain. The last mile or so seemed to go on forever. We were real glad to see the car. Something tells me that we may never be invited to hike with Paul like this again. We loved the company, (sometimes it makes all the difference in the world to have someone else with us on our hike), but I just don’t think we’re a match. Not that there was anything wrong with the hike, or the day. We’re just too slow,,,, We don’t mind that we’re slow. We like it that way. We couldn’t change that if we tried. Note! The AMC rebuilt the hut the next year after we visited it; it wasn’t open when we were there, so we never saw what it was like inside, but the outside didn’t look all that bad. I guess we’ll have to hike it again just to see the new hut.

Read another trip Report to Mt. Gailhead:

Gailhead (4024)

Trail: Gailhead River trail off Gale River fire rd. (closes in winter), Frost Trail.

Date: November 4 2000

Attending: Ralph, Gabe, Simone, & John Chicoine

Miles: 10.2-miles Time: 7 Hrs.

AMC huts, / shelters / camping site: New Gailhead hut (it was closed for the season)

Weather: Mostley sunny, 50’ish,

Our first snow hike of the 2000/01-winter season. We got to the trailhead at 9:30 and it was a wonderful day for a hike. I had been reading recent trip reports and most of them made no mention of snow, so I wasn’t expecting as much snow as we found on the trails. We started hiking with just a dusting of snow at the trail-head but within the first 2 miles as the trail slowly and gradually picks up a few hundred feet of elevation, the snow depths increased to quite a few inches deep. The trail began to show lots of water saturation beneath the snow cover (an inch deep of slush). The third mile of the hike (after the last river crossing begins to gain some more serious elevation and so increased the snow depth to 6+ inches, with several inches on the trail. The last mile to the Gailhead hut had between 8 and 10 inches of snow in the woods, and the trail was fully covered with trampled snow. The trail itself wasn’t over traveled, but it was well broken up to the hut. The trail to Gailhead summit was quite a bit less traveled and had lots of muddy sections on the trail where the sun melted the path.

There seemed to be 5 parties on the trail today; a single lady, a party of 4 in their late 40’s, a group of 3 girls in their late 30’s, a pair of men from Sweden, (first time hiking the whites), and us. It seemed like we all must have hit the trail within a few minutes of each other and all reached the parking lot within a ten-minute gap.

As much as this hike was a delightful hike, it was a bitter sweet. Our goal for this hike was not Gailhead, but South Twin. Three times now we have stood within an hour of the summit and have not summited. On this hike we reached the Twinway only to find that it had not been broken out yet. We had not come prepared to break trail. We did attempt to venture up none the less but found that every step was very slippery and without a trail, we could not see the water and mud under the snow. Within the first 50 feet Gabe stepped into a mud puddle that soaked in over the top of his boots. (Boots I might add that were beginning to loose the front 2-inch section of the sole), but the Gore-Tex liner still kept his feet drier than most of us. My old leather hikers had soaked through well before we reached the hut but the temps were warm enough that nobody’s feet got cold. Just as I remembered from our first trek to Gailhead the trek out of the valley along the river seems to take forever and we ended our trip back at the car at 4:30, just a few minutes before sunset. When we got back to the car I noticed my tire was 1/2 flat so we decided to change the tire while I still had light. That’s when we found out that this car had no lug wrench and only a doughnut spare tire. We drove to the nearest gas station filled the tire and hoped for the best; Praise God, it got us home!

“And forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet and the winds long to play with your hair.”
Kahlil Gibran

Mt. Garfield (4500)

Trail: Garfield Trail, off Gail River Rd.

Date: Nov. 5 1999

Attending: Gabe, Simone, & John Chicoine

Miles:9.5 Round trip Time: 3.5 hrs up, 6.5 hrs. Total

AMC huts, / shelters / camping site:

Weather: Temps in the 60’s, On the Summit the wind was too! (60Mph).

This is mountain # 30, in just 14 months and a few days. I didn’t think we’d bag another 4K this year but the weather has been exceptionally warm this late in the season. September and early October had far more snow than late October. Almost all the snow was gone from the warm weather. This trail is definitely going to be a repeater. Although it is 10 miles, it is not particularly difficult at any time and it does move along quite fast. At this time of the season there were lots of leaf covered muddy sections between the 2 and 3-mile stretch. We removed about 7 small blow downs, (one of which required a full family effort to drag it off the trail), leaving only one tree that still would cause someone to have to step off the trail. (It has been quite windy this fall up here.) As was reported on the internet a few days before we hiked this, the top 1/4 mile was quite icy and there was a dusting of snow to make things a bit slicker, but we made it through on bare boots and our buts at times. The summit of Garfield surprised us, we weren’t expecting it so soon, we turned a corner through the trees and there we were on the summit. We could here the “mighty rushing wind” for the last 1/2 hour up o the summit, but had no idea of it’s ferocity until we reached the open summit. This is one of the few hikes in the Whites that we didn’t see another car in the parking lot, and we never saw any other hikers.

We will have to remember to bring extra food for the Gray Jays on our next Garfield hike. They were more persistent than we’ve ever seen them. We had them eating off Gabe’s head. They ate most of our Fig-Newtons. One even followed us for about a mile down the trail and as we reached his cut off point, he squawked at us to stop and feed him some more, We did. We love this mountain. It was clear, cold, and windy. Very windy! At one point while firmly grasping one of the re-bar posts on the foundation of the old fire lookout on the summit, I had to grab Gabe and hold him down, to keep from having him blown away, I estimate gusts exceeded 65Mph. It just doesn’t get any better than this.

 

Mt. Hale (4054)

Trail: Hale Brook Trail

Date: May 15’Th 1999

Attending: Gabe, Simone, & John Chicoine

Miles: 4.4Miles Round trip Time: 2.5hrs up, 5hrs. Total

AMC huts, / shelters / camping site:

Weather: Sunny, mid 50’s at base, 40’ish on summit no wind, hot sun,

“Our life is frittered away by detail… simplify, simplify.” Henry David Thoreau

What can I say, just another one of the 4K’s. Hale is a good bail out mountain to keep in your back pocket when something blows a big hike, like unexpected foul weather or something. The day we hiked, the air was comfortable but the afternoon sun heated up the damp trail and made it like a steam bath. Lots of little things kept going wrong with this hike, we forgot our poles; I ended up with only Gabe’s hiking socks. Thank God this was a little one. The trail itself is OK, but nothing to write home about. This would be a good “Non-Peak-Bagger” family type of hike. The Summit of Hale is a large rock and moss covered dome surrounded with trees just tall enough to block about 70% of the views. Nobody seemed to be in any rush on the summit, it felt more like a small town common on a sunny Sunday afternoon with people waiting about for the town band to show up and play. We did enjoy a nice 1/2hr. nap in the springtime sun on the thick mossy patches that are reclaiming the summit. Quite a bit really, more than enough to provide a good spot in the sun to start working on the tan.

If it wasn’t so far down Zealand road (closed in the winter) I’d say that this would be quite a nice winter 4K. None the less, I think I’ll have to stop being such a snob and give this mountain the respect it deserves and visit the summit a few times. Maybe I can switch between Osceola and Hale for bringing new-bies up into the Whites. I almost hate to say this here, but this summit would be a fantastic place to set up a tent and spend a nice starlit night.