NeoAkela
Active member
Date of Hike: 07/18/2012
Trail Conditions: Irene left a considerable mark on these trails. Several washouts, scree-like rocks strewn about on many portions of the trail, and undermined roots and wooded supports along the way. Trail easily followed and all damaged sections hikeable. Forest Service is in the process of cutting out a few of the North Fork crossings to bypass a few eroded spots. Upper pitches to both Hancock Peaks have much loose rock, and the North Peak route needs a bit of brushing on the top end where the bushes have almost reclaimed the trail in spots. Ridge section beautiful as always, with only a few muddy spots.
Special Equipment Required: None today - great cool breeze on the ridge kept the bugs and the humidity away.
Comments: Started up at the super-early time of 1 PM. Great afternoon loop hike - went counter-clockwise this time. Met a big forest service crew on the way up, including our own Giff, cutting up blowdowns and diverting the trail along a couple of relocations to cut down the water crossings and avoid some of the worst of the erosion. Glad we have some great people out there keeping these trails in shape!
On the way back, decided to take a cue from the Bolnick's Waterfall book and follow the brook down instead of the trail. Started at the green step ledges that used to be at one of the stream crossings (not anymore with the relocation). Further down the brook are a series of ledgy steps and pretty cascades that drop down over the next quarter mile. A nice diversion on a pleasant day and worth the side trip.
NeoAkela
Trail Conditions: Irene left a considerable mark on these trails. Several washouts, scree-like rocks strewn about on many portions of the trail, and undermined roots and wooded supports along the way. Trail easily followed and all damaged sections hikeable. Forest Service is in the process of cutting out a few of the North Fork crossings to bypass a few eroded spots. Upper pitches to both Hancock Peaks have much loose rock, and the North Peak route needs a bit of brushing on the top end where the bushes have almost reclaimed the trail in spots. Ridge section beautiful as always, with only a few muddy spots.
Special Equipment Required: None today - great cool breeze on the ridge kept the bugs and the humidity away.
Comments: Started up at the super-early time of 1 PM. Great afternoon loop hike - went counter-clockwise this time. Met a big forest service crew on the way up, including our own Giff, cutting up blowdowns and diverting the trail along a couple of relocations to cut down the water crossings and avoid some of the worst of the erosion. Glad we have some great people out there keeping these trails in shape!
On the way back, decided to take a cue from the Bolnick's Waterfall book and follow the brook down instead of the trail. Started at the green step ledges that used to be at one of the stream crossings (not anymore with the relocation). Further down the brook are a series of ledgy steps and pretty cascades that drop down over the next quarter mile. A nice diversion on a pleasant day and worth the side trip.
NeoAkela
