marysgirl
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- Joined
- Feb 13, 2013
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Rick, Sean and I met at the Old Speck/AT parking lot kind of late and hit the trail about 10:40. We passed a man with a chainsaw in hand and asked if he was part of a trail crew. He told us about all of the trees down and warned us it would be slow going. He said he tried but "gave up" clearing them alone. We met him in the first mile or so and as we approached the first few downed trees we didn't blame him for packing it in. We hiked around 3 or 4 complete blockages of the trail. As we started to hike the steep stairs they came more frequently. At the hiker signin box by the lean to it is so devastated that it is very easy to lose the trail. I read trip reports of a few hikers turning back in the last few months because they couldn't find the trail and I can definitely see! Now that there is no snow it is easier, but without being able to see the stairs? I can understand giving up. Anyway, there were very few patches of ice under blow downs and near the ladders. We made it to the summit of both West and East Baldpate (89) and on the way back we started clearing the trail. We cleared at least 95% of the blocked trail and made it clear to find the AT again! What crazy hard work that was! We moved 25-30 foot trees, pulled some danglers down and dragged and twisted everything we could possibly reposition! So chainsaw guy can go back up and do his thing now! Actually we are wondering about adopting a section of trail? Can you do that with the AT? We feel like we really did start to take responsibility for this section.
Back to the trip report.....maybe 2 patches of rotting snow in the col and very little ice, especially since we moved the blow downs. Not super wet, a little bit of standing water and clear to hike! Go for it. And if you have a chain saw take it with you! Oh, and pay it forward! Anyplace you hike that has debris, please remove it from the path! A kitten will live.....
Back to the trip report.....maybe 2 patches of rotting snow in the col and very little ice, especially since we moved the blow downs. Not super wet, a little bit of standing water and clear to hike! Go for it. And if you have a chain saw take it with you! Oh, and pay it forward! Anyplace you hike that has debris, please remove it from the path! A kitten will live.....