U
Unregistered
Guest
Goose Eye on 3/13/2016 via Wright Trail.
Random Group of Hikers, party of 8. We ascended the two primary summits via the Wright Trail/AT, out and back same way. We considered the closed north branch of the Wright Trail but dismissed the idea because we were not sure what hazards we would find there.
We were able to drive to the trailhead on Bull Branch Road with 4WD but the road was muddy and icy and posted "closed to vehicles." Apparently the road has been open and plowed due to logging further up the valley. There was room about 4 cars at a wide bow in the road just beyond the trailhead.
From the trailhead to the last brook crossing the trail was a mix of bare ground, thin snow and ice patches, slush, mud, and longer areas of snow up to 10" deep of variable hardness. Most of us used spikes to avoid having to take snowshoes on & off. There are several brook crossings and sharp up and downs high along the bank. Before the last brook crossing (trail turns sharp left and crosses at a prominent waterfall with a bright blaze on the far bank) there is a confusing stretch of trail where half of the blazes have been painted over in grey. This led us to wonder if we had mistakenly gone up the closed north branch of the trail (which begins right before the waterfall described above, blank brown sign nailed to tree, greyed-out blazes continuing straight). Someone must have got carried away with the grey paint when they closed the north branch of the trail. Ignore the grey paint until you get to the waterfall. Brook crossings were not difficult but waterproof boots helped.
From the last brook crossing to the ridgeline, snow of variable depth, mostly hard & crusty, with some icy spots and semi-firm drifts. We used spikes & kick steps. From there to the first exposed knob the snow deepened to over a foot, and from the first knob to the col the snow was knee to waist deep, variable consistency, walk two steps on top then sink on the third. We used snowshoes between the knob and the col. A few hairy icy patches on the slabs at the east side of the knob. The AT & side trail to the main summit was deep snow to nearly the top but the slabs on the East Peak were entirely bare.
Temps above freezing all day, sunny. We did not feel the need for crampons but a slight shift in weather could make the hike a nightmare. Freezing rain or melting & re-freezing new snow could easily turn the slabs into a monstrous popsicle slide this time of year—crampons & ice ax would be wise in those conditions.
A couple blowdowns, only one of them (in the valley) requiring a significant detour (12dbh, broomstick crown over the trail).
We were very impressed with the Wright Trail, lots of short waterfalls & cascades below, long exposed sections of ridge with grand views on the way up.
Name: Shoeless Paul. Email: [email protected]
Photos: http://www.meetup.com/random-hikers/events/229207434/
Random Group of Hikers, party of 8. We ascended the two primary summits via the Wright Trail/AT, out and back same way. We considered the closed north branch of the Wright Trail but dismissed the idea because we were not sure what hazards we would find there.
We were able to drive to the trailhead on Bull Branch Road with 4WD but the road was muddy and icy and posted "closed to vehicles." Apparently the road has been open and plowed due to logging further up the valley. There was room about 4 cars at a wide bow in the road just beyond the trailhead.
From the trailhead to the last brook crossing the trail was a mix of bare ground, thin snow and ice patches, slush, mud, and longer areas of snow up to 10" deep of variable hardness. Most of us used spikes to avoid having to take snowshoes on & off. There are several brook crossings and sharp up and downs high along the bank. Before the last brook crossing (trail turns sharp left and crosses at a prominent waterfall with a bright blaze on the far bank) there is a confusing stretch of trail where half of the blazes have been painted over in grey. This led us to wonder if we had mistakenly gone up the closed north branch of the trail (which begins right before the waterfall described above, blank brown sign nailed to tree, greyed-out blazes continuing straight). Someone must have got carried away with the grey paint when they closed the north branch of the trail. Ignore the grey paint until you get to the waterfall. Brook crossings were not difficult but waterproof boots helped.
From the last brook crossing to the ridgeline, snow of variable depth, mostly hard & crusty, with some icy spots and semi-firm drifts. We used spikes & kick steps. From there to the first exposed knob the snow deepened to over a foot, and from the first knob to the col the snow was knee to waist deep, variable consistency, walk two steps on top then sink on the third. We used snowshoes between the knob and the col. A few hairy icy patches on the slabs at the east side of the knob. The AT & side trail to the main summit was deep snow to nearly the top but the slabs on the East Peak were entirely bare.
Temps above freezing all day, sunny. We did not feel the need for crampons but a slight shift in weather could make the hike a nightmare. Freezing rain or melting & re-freezing new snow could easily turn the slabs into a monstrous popsicle slide this time of year—crampons & ice ax would be wise in those conditions.
A couple blowdowns, only one of them (in the valley) requiring a significant detour (12dbh, broomstick crown over the trail).
We were very impressed with the Wright Trail, lots of short waterfalls & cascades below, long exposed sections of ridge with grand views on the way up.
Name: Shoeless Paul. Email: [email protected]
Photos: http://www.meetup.com/random-hikers/events/229207434/
