death march to Albany Mtn.

[forestgnome]

Only a red-liner would turn a pleasant hike to a 1,930' peak into an all-day ordeal

BeccaM and I hiked through Albany Notch to Albany Mtn. and Round Pond, in North Lovell, Maine. This was a nice hike through a beautiful area.

We noted, yet again, how some areas are designated as "wilderness" but don't at all resemble wilderness, while places like this are not designated, yet fit the description perfectly.

The Albany Notch Trail (southern end) begins on an old road that becomes a grassy lane. Take care to not miss this turn into the woods...

lots of beaver dams in this beautiful wooded notch...

everything a "wilderness" wants to be...this is the trail bed...

We hiked the trail that links the ANT to the trail that leads to the summit from the north from the ANT. It was not clear what the name of the trail is. one of the trails is named the Albany Mtn. Trail. (???)

Anyway, shortly after turning onto this trail, for the summit, it becomes ledgy with restricted views. There are lots of lichen beds and what we thought are Jack Pines.

The trail leads to the high point, but there is no view there. There is an excellent view point on the south side of the summit, but you have to look around to find it. There are a bunch of cairns that seem to leed to view points, but there really is no sense to them. It is entertaining to explore where they lead, but they don't lead to this viewpoint...odd...

We hiked down the north trail to a dirt road that leads to Crocker Pond. From here we hiked to Round Pond. We checked a small clearing along the way and found a young porky munching on something. He was so preoccupied that he didn't hear me get to within a few feet. In his defense, the ground was wet, and therefore quiet. But when he finally realized I was right behind him he puffed out his quill-laden caot....very cute...

Round Pond is very pretty...there are a couple ledges that look like they have nice views...interesting bushwacking...

continued...

 

[forestgnome]

Then it was back to Albany Notch Trail. On the westerly part of the loop we found some big red pines...

lots of different mushrooms growing in the area...

remnants from the logging era...Becca is a rust junky

The trail is obliterated by this beautiful beaver bog, just north of the junction with that trail that goes to the summit from the west.

At this point, we would suggest to skirt around the bog to the east, a bit uphill for dry ground, and back to the trail.

This is a beautiful area to hike. It is truely wilderness

 

[forestgnome]

re: the trail names....

here is the juction along the Albany Notch Trail with the trail that runs straight up to the summit on the western slope...

and here is the juction up top...the trail to the summit is to your left, down and north to your right...

anyone?

 

[Peakbagr]

Nice TR and photos, Patrick. Thanks for posting.

Alan

 

[mtruman]

Death march? Really? You're going to have to work on your story telling a bit if you want to convince us of that Patrick. Looks like a truly wonderful day in the wilderness to me. Quotes on "wilderness" definitely not needed. Nice.

 

[forestgnome]

Death march? Really? You're going to have to work on your story telling a bit if you want to convince us of that Patrick. Looks like a truly wonderful day in the wilderness to me. Quotes on "wilderness" definitely not needed. Nice.

Mark, thanks! Yes it was just a little freindly jab at Becca And about the wilderness, not denegrading the idea of keeping things undeveloped, just noting that these out of the way areas much more closely match the description of wilderness. IMO, the way to experience this is to go to where it really is, and not neccessarily where the map says it is. Just positive words of praise intended for these areas