marty
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My friend Tom and I pulled up to the Wright Trail parking area at 8:45 am on Saturday, July 9. I had jumped at the chance to accept Sherpa Kroto's VFTT invitation to join him on this hike up Goose Eye Mountain in the Maine Mahoosucs. It had rained all night and was presently coming down in buckets. There were two pickup trucks in the lots with people in them and another empty car.
As soon as we arrived, a large man pops out of one of the trucks. I immediately recognized this person as Sherpa K, from his avatars and VFTT Gathering photos. He said hello to us and basically exclaimed that the weather was far from perfect (those of you who know Sherpa can guess the exact words). He then introduced us to VFTTers Swamp and Sean?/Shawn? (I'll call him Sean). We talked about canceling the hike, but figured we should wait it out a bit and see if the rain subsides and if others come to join.
At about 9:15, the rain let up a bit. Tom said that he was going, as he did not want to go back to his wife having chickened out on the hike. We then somewhat reluctantly agreed and left in the rain about 9:30.
We followed the Wright Trail along a churning Goose Eye Brook, which was more like the Cribworks in the Penobscot. The trail was soaked, with lots of puddles and small streams appearing from nowhere. We did a mile of generally easy hiking, stopping occasionally to admire and photograph the many gorges and cascades and came to our first major stream crossing. This tiny brook was a raging torrent, but we rock-hopped it fairly easily. After another half mile, we came upon a major feeder stream. Swamp immediately bounds to a protruding boulder and then hops to the bank, with a few inches to spare. After some trepidation, we all chose Swamp's route and made it across without getting wet. Heart is now beating fast, adreneline pumping. Hangover from previous night's beer is long forgotten. We got to the North/South Fork junction at 2.2 miles +/- and decided to take the North ascent. That meant crossing a major stream. We chose various routes and everyone once again stayed dry. I took in a shoe full and cursed having not brought gaiters. Sherpa picked the best route, sighting a slightly submerged rock in the middle that none of us saw.
Up the North Fork we went. It was a series of death defying leaps across 3 or 4 more swollen stream crossings. One by one, all of us got wet feet. Sherpa and Sean were now wading in thigh deep water instead of boulder hopping, taking less risk than the other three of us. During one crossing, Swamp stated that we should videotape a "Don't do this at home" show....
We came upon a cirque that had some decent VFTC (Views from The Cirque), including some white lines going down cliffs, that were gorgeous waterfalls created from the flooding rains. After a steep ascent in sometimes driving rain, we made our way up to a flume coming down from the ridgeline, that had a fifty foot drop below. Made that one again with only wet feet and went up and crossed it again. This time, however, we had to cross a single wet, mossy plank that was high over the stream. A fall might have been the end. It should be noted that there were once two planks here and one had cracked. It was kind of scary wondering what caused the crack and whether the remaining plank was sufficiently strong. It did hold and we all made it. I refused to let my mild acrophobia get the best of me.
We then did another steep section and an easy stretch and got to the ridgeline on the AT, turning left. The AT was a small river, flowing down as we ascended the ledges and well constructed wooden stairs up to East Peak Goose Eye. This open summit had no VFTT, due to the clouds and fog. After a tricky descent down wet ledge, we attacked the larger West Peak. It too was clouded in, no views. Decided to lunch on the summit and Sean proudly changed his socks, while some of us changed shirts to keep from "losing core", as Swamp stated. We then descended the summit, running into three soaked young backpackers and went down the South Fork.
The South Fork goes up and down the ridgeline, often popping into the open. Views would have been awesome in fair weather. We used our imaginations. Once descending into the woods below the ridge, the south fork was also a major river, with Sherpa K. stating that he should have brought his fly rod for the hike. We only had one water crossing, at the very end, just before the North/South intersection. This was a long, but doable crossing. Did lots of photos of the crossings here. Can't wait to see the photos!
We then headed back the orginal 2.2 miles. The first two daunting stream crossings had receded a bit and we did them effortlessly, not worrying much about getting a bit wetter. We then finished the hike around 4:30, 7 hours later. Sean then invited us to his truck where he had cold beers for all, that tasted heavenly. Thanks again, Sean!
We then went to the Sunday River Brew Pub for a quick bit and beer, said goodbye and Tom and I returned to our camps in Rangeley.
Sherpa, Swamp and Sean: It was a pleasure to meet you and to share an challenging adventure on a cool trail. Thanks especially for the fascinating information on some VFTT folks and the Gatherings. Hope our paths cross soon!
Regards, Marty
As soon as we arrived, a large man pops out of one of the trucks. I immediately recognized this person as Sherpa K, from his avatars and VFTT Gathering photos. He said hello to us and basically exclaimed that the weather was far from perfect (those of you who know Sherpa can guess the exact words). He then introduced us to VFTTers Swamp and Sean?/Shawn? (I'll call him Sean). We talked about canceling the hike, but figured we should wait it out a bit and see if the rain subsides and if others come to join.
At about 9:15, the rain let up a bit. Tom said that he was going, as he did not want to go back to his wife having chickened out on the hike. We then somewhat reluctantly agreed and left in the rain about 9:30.
We followed the Wright Trail along a churning Goose Eye Brook, which was more like the Cribworks in the Penobscot. The trail was soaked, with lots of puddles and small streams appearing from nowhere. We did a mile of generally easy hiking, stopping occasionally to admire and photograph the many gorges and cascades and came to our first major stream crossing. This tiny brook was a raging torrent, but we rock-hopped it fairly easily. After another half mile, we came upon a major feeder stream. Swamp immediately bounds to a protruding boulder and then hops to the bank, with a few inches to spare. After some trepidation, we all chose Swamp's route and made it across without getting wet. Heart is now beating fast, adreneline pumping. Hangover from previous night's beer is long forgotten. We got to the North/South Fork junction at 2.2 miles +/- and decided to take the North ascent. That meant crossing a major stream. We chose various routes and everyone once again stayed dry. I took in a shoe full and cursed having not brought gaiters. Sherpa picked the best route, sighting a slightly submerged rock in the middle that none of us saw.
Up the North Fork we went. It was a series of death defying leaps across 3 or 4 more swollen stream crossings. One by one, all of us got wet feet. Sherpa and Sean were now wading in thigh deep water instead of boulder hopping, taking less risk than the other three of us. During one crossing, Swamp stated that we should videotape a "Don't do this at home" show....
We came upon a cirque that had some decent VFTC (Views from The Cirque), including some white lines going down cliffs, that were gorgeous waterfalls created from the flooding rains. After a steep ascent in sometimes driving rain, we made our way up to a flume coming down from the ridgeline, that had a fifty foot drop below. Made that one again with only wet feet and went up and crossed it again. This time, however, we had to cross a single wet, mossy plank that was high over the stream. A fall might have been the end. It should be noted that there were once two planks here and one had cracked. It was kind of scary wondering what caused the crack and whether the remaining plank was sufficiently strong. It did hold and we all made it. I refused to let my mild acrophobia get the best of me.
We then did another steep section and an easy stretch and got to the ridgeline on the AT, turning left. The AT was a small river, flowing down as we ascended the ledges and well constructed wooden stairs up to East Peak Goose Eye. This open summit had no VFTT, due to the clouds and fog. After a tricky descent down wet ledge, we attacked the larger West Peak. It too was clouded in, no views. Decided to lunch on the summit and Sean proudly changed his socks, while some of us changed shirts to keep from "losing core", as Swamp stated. We then descended the summit, running into three soaked young backpackers and went down the South Fork.
The South Fork goes up and down the ridgeline, often popping into the open. Views would have been awesome in fair weather. We used our imaginations. Once descending into the woods below the ridge, the south fork was also a major river, with Sherpa K. stating that he should have brought his fly rod for the hike. We only had one water crossing, at the very end, just before the North/South intersection. This was a long, but doable crossing. Did lots of photos of the crossings here. Can't wait to see the photos!
We then headed back the orginal 2.2 miles. The first two daunting stream crossings had receded a bit and we did them effortlessly, not worrying much about getting a bit wetter. We then finished the hike around 4:30, 7 hours later. Sean then invited us to his truck where he had cold beers for all, that tasted heavenly. Thanks again, Sean!
We then went to the Sunday River Brew Pub for a quick bit and beer, said goodbye and Tom and I returned to our camps in Rangeley.
Sherpa, Swamp and Sean: It was a pleasure to meet you and to share an challenging adventure on a cool trail. Thanks especially for the fascinating information on some VFTT folks and the Gatherings. Hope our paths cross soon!
Regards, Marty
