grumpygran
New member
- Joined
- Jun 15, 2008
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November 1st 2009
Hoping for a perfect day to tackle the last peak of my 9th round of the 48, we got just that on Sunday. Silverfox, Unadogger (and Terra) and I met in the Rocky Branch Parking lot and started out early up the leaf covered Rocky Branch trail, shuffling our way up till we reached the wet and muddy areas higher up. Shortly after the height of land we took a preplanned turn off the trail to bushwhack over to the Isolation trail, having concerns about high water crossings. The idea was to stay at the 3,100 ft contour which we followed faithfully, going through some wet mossy areas, sometimes on a clear path and other times pushing through the trees. Ahead our compass reader kept us on course and despite some ankle deep moss holes 40 mins later we emerged on the Isolation Trail. Continued up a rocky and wet trail, took the herd path to avoid two crossings and had no trouble with the last one soon reaching the campsite. From there to the Davis path the trail had many blowdowns, most easily skirted. Up and down the Davis path till we reached the short hike up to the peak. Greeted by a young couple who had passed us early on, and on to the cairn where we were able to enjoy views in all directions with some clouds passing by. Rime ice and low cloud covered the top of Mt. Washington with the cloud cover down to Eisenhower. Temps of 37 degrees with 18mph winds, according to techie Silverfox, had us hudding down in a hollow for lunch. We celebrated the momentous event (for me) by eating chocolates from "Mary, Chocolatier", from Brussels, Belgium, a gift from my brother for my 70th birthday!
The chocolate boost sent us off in good spirits for the descent and soon we were at a spot where there was an obvious path for the bushwhack back. We followed this path uphill to the 3200 contour line and found ourselves in the middle of a huge stand of silverbirch. We followed this path through several stands of these impressive trees, contrasting so well with the clear blue sky above, admiring their elegance, stopping many times to take photos. Several open areas gave us clear views over to Stairs, Carrigain and, in the background, Chocorua. This path was obviously the Engine Hill bushwhack that we had planned to take both ways. We continued on for some time eventually dropping down through some rougher areas till we hit the Rocky Branch Trail just about the height of land.
This was my first ever bushwhack! I had some doubts on the way in but coming back on this higher route was just a delight with sights to be remembered for a long time. From there we just skipped over the muddy areas, over the wet rocks to reach the drier leaf strewn part of the trail Several slippy slides on my part on the covered trail but we all made it safely back to the parking lot. More chocolates and congrats all round ended a great day. Thanks to Silverfox and Unadogger for making Nov. 1st a memorable day fo me!
Now I go into hibernation until the snow falls when snowshoeing, xc and downhill skiing will substitute for exercise until Spring.
Grumpygran.
PS: Hope Silverfox and Unadogger will post links to their photo sites!
Hoping for a perfect day to tackle the last peak of my 9th round of the 48, we got just that on Sunday. Silverfox, Unadogger (and Terra) and I met in the Rocky Branch Parking lot and started out early up the leaf covered Rocky Branch trail, shuffling our way up till we reached the wet and muddy areas higher up. Shortly after the height of land we took a preplanned turn off the trail to bushwhack over to the Isolation trail, having concerns about high water crossings. The idea was to stay at the 3,100 ft contour which we followed faithfully, going through some wet mossy areas, sometimes on a clear path and other times pushing through the trees. Ahead our compass reader kept us on course and despite some ankle deep moss holes 40 mins later we emerged on the Isolation Trail. Continued up a rocky and wet trail, took the herd path to avoid two crossings and had no trouble with the last one soon reaching the campsite. From there to the Davis path the trail had many blowdowns, most easily skirted. Up and down the Davis path till we reached the short hike up to the peak. Greeted by a young couple who had passed us early on, and on to the cairn where we were able to enjoy views in all directions with some clouds passing by. Rime ice and low cloud covered the top of Mt. Washington with the cloud cover down to Eisenhower. Temps of 37 degrees with 18mph winds, according to techie Silverfox, had us hudding down in a hollow for lunch. We celebrated the momentous event (for me) by eating chocolates from "Mary, Chocolatier", from Brussels, Belgium, a gift from my brother for my 70th birthday!
The chocolate boost sent us off in good spirits for the descent and soon we were at a spot where there was an obvious path for the bushwhack back. We followed this path uphill to the 3200 contour line and found ourselves in the middle of a huge stand of silverbirch. We followed this path through several stands of these impressive trees, contrasting so well with the clear blue sky above, admiring their elegance, stopping many times to take photos. Several open areas gave us clear views over to Stairs, Carrigain and, in the background, Chocorua. This path was obviously the Engine Hill bushwhack that we had planned to take both ways. We continued on for some time eventually dropping down through some rougher areas till we hit the Rocky Branch Trail just about the height of land.
This was my first ever bushwhack! I had some doubts on the way in but coming back on this higher route was just a delight with sights to be remembered for a long time. From there we just skipped over the muddy areas, over the wet rocks to reach the drier leaf strewn part of the trail Several slippy slides on my part on the covered trail but we all made it safely back to the parking lot. More chocolates and congrats all round ended a great day. Thanks to Silverfox and Unadogger for making Nov. 1st a memorable day fo me!
Now I go into hibernation until the snow falls when snowshoeing, xc and downhill skiing will substitute for exercise until Spring.
Grumpygran.
PS: Hope Silverfox and Unadogger will post links to their photo sites!
