The Hikers
New member
Lately we have been doing some old favorites and it turns out we are going through most of the 48 a second or third time. We decided we'd go for Willey and Field. I couldn't remember when we did Willey, so I looked it up on our list. October 6, 2002 !! We remembered it as a tough hike, but our experience has been that things are easier now, so despite aging, we must be in better shape than back then !!
When we arrived at the Willey House site the dark clouds covered the mountain top and the temp was in the low 40's with a good wind. We debated for awhile, then said "what the heck" and took a chance it would clear. Good choice, as the clouds eventually cleared out.
We headed up the Kedron Flume Trail, stopping at the top of the flume.
We continued on, taking a right on the Ethan Pond Trail (AT) for .3M , then Right on the Willey Range Trail. There were good views down the Notch looking back as we climbed.
Turns out our memories were correct as this became a merciless climb. The many well- built stairs were a bonus, but the steep climb went on and on from there. We decided it was just as tough now as back in 2002. At the Lookout on top we got great views down the Notch and this one of Webster Cliff and Webster.
We found a secluded place out of the cold wind to have lunch, but we were not alone. The Grey Jays came uninvited, and soon sent out a message to all their family. At first they were amusing, but became increasingly bold, and then rude.The Boss GreyJay, impatient for another handout took things into his own beak, knocking the sandwich right out of Joyce's hand.
After that she kept a wary eye on him
It was fairly cold on top with a good wind, and we figured we had gotten a good work-out, some great pictures, so we decided to skip Field and head back down. The Jays followed us for awhile,expressing their disappointment that lunch was over. As we decended the Ladders footsteps were heard behind , and we were joined by a backpacker from Pennsylvania. We hiked and talked until the junction of Ethan Pond, then went separate ways.
We got down just in time to be standing next to the tracks as the tourist train passed by. We became part of the show for them, two hikers waving as they passed by.
It did turn out to be a beautiful day, with perfect fall weather and colors
When we arrived at the Willey House site the dark clouds covered the mountain top and the temp was in the low 40's with a good wind. We debated for awhile, then said "what the heck" and took a chance it would clear. Good choice, as the clouds eventually cleared out.
We headed up the Kedron Flume Trail, stopping at the top of the flume.
We continued on, taking a right on the Ethan Pond Trail (AT) for .3M , then Right on the Willey Range Trail. There were good views down the Notch looking back as we climbed.
Turns out our memories were correct as this became a merciless climb. The many well- built stairs were a bonus, but the steep climb went on and on from there. We decided it was just as tough now as back in 2002. At the Lookout on top we got great views down the Notch and this one of Webster Cliff and Webster.
We found a secluded place out of the cold wind to have lunch, but we were not alone. The Grey Jays came uninvited, and soon sent out a message to all their family. At first they were amusing, but became increasingly bold, and then rude.The Boss GreyJay, impatient for another handout took things into his own beak, knocking the sandwich right out of Joyce's hand.
After that she kept a wary eye on him
It was fairly cold on top with a good wind, and we figured we had gotten a good work-out, some great pictures, so we decided to skip Field and head back down. The Jays followed us for awhile,expressing their disappointment that lunch was over. As we decended the Ladders footsteps were heard behind , and we were joined by a backpacker from Pennsylvania. We hiked and talked until the junction of Ethan Pond, then went separate ways.
We got down just in time to be standing next to the tracks as the tourist train passed by. We became part of the show for them, two hikers waving as they passed by.
It did turn out to be a beautiful day, with perfect fall weather and colors
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