Mt. Lincoln, Mt. Lafayette, Mt. Garfield (6/22 - 6/23/13)

Dates - June 22 and 23, 2013

Peaks - Mt. Lincoln, Mt. Lafayette, Mt. Garfield (37-39/48; 39-41/100)

Trails - Falling Waters Trail; Franconia Ridge Trail; Garfield Ridge Trail; Garfield Trail

Companions - Dorothy and Sonsie

I set off from Boston early on Saturday with Dorothy and Sonsie to head up and try a 2-day-1-night traverse of the northern Franconia Ridge and Garfield, and Galehead, with a plan to leave our car at Lafayette Campground and hitchhike from Rte. 3 back after the hike. Leading up to the hike, the forecast was predicting little to no chance of rain so I thought it would be a great weekend for Dorothy's first back-country overnight in the Whites. Wrong.

By Saturday morning the forecast had changed to 40-50% chance of thunderstorms, predicted to commence around 6 p.m., if at all. I definitely did not want to be up on Franconia Ridge when and if lightning arrived, but I figured we would have plenty of time to get up and back below tree line on Garfield Ridge before 6, so we decided to go for it. I had been up Old Bridle Path once before for some back country skiing but never made the top of either northern Franconian, nor had I hiked that area in the summer. 

Parked at Falling Water Trailhead and started heading up the steep ascent. The trail was simply beautiful, and apparently that's no secret, as there was more than a few others hiking along with us. I tried to keep count for a while but lost track somewhere around 60, and am pretty sure we ended up seeing around 150 by the time we reached the peak. Plus about 5 or 6 other dogs.

And then came the rain. Sometime around 1 it started to drizzle and then eventually picked up to almost a downpour, but then stopped just a quickly, in time for us to reach the ridge. Hadn't heard any thunder so felt comfortable going for it. And so we did.

 Crazy rock, eh?

As usual, Sonsie had no trouble. So much so that she found her frisbee in my bag as soon as I sat for a break at the top and demanded to play fetch. First through caught a stiff White Mountains breeze and I was pretty sure it was going to land at the base of Owl's Head, but luckily it dropped somewhere in the bushes off the ridge and eventually she came back with it. After a quick snack and photo opp, off we went towards Lafayette.

 Looking toward Lafayette from Lincoln.

Cannon and the Old Man site were visible but hazy, and eventually, somewhere around the approach to Lafayette the rain began again. Enough this time around to merit Sonsie's favorite outfit. Dumb as it looks, she really seems to like wearing it and it helps abate the soaking wet dog for purposes of sharing a tent later.

Destination for the night was Garfield Pond. I had seen a few stray posts here and there and an old image of a map on Google indicating there was actually an old shelter that doesn't appear on my waterproof mapadventures trail map (this one was marked as separate than the Garfield Ridge Campsite). From the top of Lafayette we could see the little nub before Garfield beyond which lay the pond, and despite the distances on the map, it didn't look like too much of a hike to get there. The rain, the weight of the overnight gear (including a full tent, some wine because why not, and a full 24 oz can of corn because I'm an idiot), and the wearing need to watch every step on the slippery rocks, however, led the hike to sap all of our energy. Eventually we reached the pond but not a moment too soon, and found two other fellas already pitched to camp across from it. Unfortunately, there was no shelter to be found and they had never heard of it. Does anyone know whether this rumored shelter exists? Anyways, quickly set up the tent and dried off and had dinner inside. Easy mac, cajun sausages, and some wine. Refilled the water and then passed out hard.

Next morning, awoke to what sounded like a downpour on the tent. Was able to check the high summit forecast from where we were and the outlook was dismal. Micro thunderstorms throughout the day with possibilities of pea-to-golfball sized hail? With that as a risk we decided to just tag Garfield then head down the Garfield Trail to cut the day off a little early. And I don't mind leaving Galehead for now as both Ted and I have that and Owl's Head to do, so we may be able to combine them into an aggressive two-day trip later this year. Only time will tell. Anyways, as I said, we tagged Garfield ...

Then headed down. Definitely a long trail with all the switchbacks, but really not bad, particularly after the first quarter of it. In fact it was shallow enough to make me wish I was either mountain biking or running it. Also always nice to be walking alongside some water.

Charlotte.

 Gathering of butterflies.

And then we made it. Sort of. Had to walk to Rte. 3 first, hoping that when we got there someone would be kind enough to pick up two smelly hikers with a wet dog in tow. Luckily we came across Sean, who hikes with CHAOS, who took us aboard and dropped us back at our car. Next time, hopefully, we can pay it forward.

Stopped for some Nacho's Mexican food (arguably) in Lincoln and followed it up with some roadside ice cream. The food was decent but I'll boost the joint to an A- because they let Sonsie sit with us outside and even brought her a dish of water, which she gladly accepted.

Gear Recommendations: Waterproof boots and rain gear. this rain is getting to be obnoxious.

What I Didn't Bring But Wish I Did: Belt

What I Brought But Didn't Need: See above re giant can of corn.

Lesson Learned: There ain't no shelter on Garfield pond. At least not that I could find.

Mt. Isolation (6-8/9-2013)

Dates - June 8 and 9, 2013

Peak - Mt. Isolation (36/48; 38/100)

Trails - Rocky Branch Trail; Isolation Trail; Davis Path

Companions - Ted and Sonsie

Left Boston around 2:45 on Saturday and drove up to the trail head off Rte. 16. Made good time getting there, though might have liked to not be racing the sunset, as I wanted to peruse the goods at Ted's tarp shanty down the road. Lot of cool toys in there.

Hit the trail and hauled up to Rocky Branch Shelter. Saw two guys sleeping at the primitive campsite. Were surprised to find nobody else in the shelter. Except a little mouse. Our beloved guard dog didn't even notice. To busy chasing sticks.

Had hauled in some firewood so made a fire in the fire pit. Nothing in the area would have burned otherwise - everything soaked from the remnants of Andrea storm. Refilled on some water and dunked our heads in to refresh.

Put an additional poncho over the roof because it was still drizzling and that roof could use a face lift. Slipped on a log at some point when walking around and jammed my thumb on the ground. Impeded things the next day but nothing too bad.

Dinner was buffalo chicken roll ups, cheese curls and some creamed corn. The buffalo chicken was pretty runny and the creamed corn was too cold, but hunger and exhaustion made it all delicious anyways. Dog played some glow in the dark frisbee. We played some dominoes for dollars. I lost twice. Couldn't get anything going. Stars came out for a bit, but on and off rain all night. May have seen another headlamp wander by at some point in the night but not sure. Was pretty groggy.

Hit the trail the next morning around 8:30. No rush. Ditched some weight near the Isolation Trail branch, and took off up the mountain. 

Lot of water. Stream crossings were technical, as was the trail itself most of the time, as it had basically turned into a stream.

Lot of blowdowns still from Irene. QUESTION - is an unaffiliated hiker allowed to bring along a saw and clear out logs here and there if they have the energy? If so, I may bring one along next time and finally give something back.

Was surprised to find no trail blazes the whole trip. This was our first time doing Isolation, and, though I don't find the elevation gain or grade to be anything special, the trip was ultimately pretty draining in light of the technicality. I'd be curious to hear whether others feel the same after hiking it during dry conditions.

Made it to the top eventually with a few slips but no falls. Ran into a few other dogs along the way, one of whom did a big cannon ball into a stream crossing. Enjoyed the view from the top (capped by clouds) for a while, then returned to the tree cover. Temperature all day was pretty perfect, though would have welcomed some more sunshine.

On the way back, ran across one of the larger hiking groups I've seen, maybe totaling 20 people but still managing to stay tight as a group somehow. Eventually got to one of the final main river crossings and decided to dunk in a pool. Freezing cold but refreshing. Dried off and resumed. At this point, saw what looked to be a bike shoe (w/ built in clip on orange sole) stuck on a tree branch - if that's yours and you lost it, it's still there. It was on the western side of the river at the first crossing immediately north of Rocky Branch Shelter 2.

Eventually made it all the way back to the car, but again it was very slippy and/or technical at parts, with mud patches frequently, making poles very helpful, if not necessary. Also making for some very muddy paws on the doggy.

Consequently, when we reached the river bridge five seconds into our return trip, we stopped we pulled over, hiked down, and tossed in the pooch to clean her off.

Tried to grab some Muddy Moose on the way back but they don't allow dogs to be tied up outside. Have to say that it the first negative mark I have for Muddy Moose, as that is where we stop almost without fail after trips up into Pinkham or off the eastern Kangamangus. Ordered some take out and ran to EMS while waiting to buy some buckles that I'm planning on using to modify my bag to make strapping things to the outside easier, as the existing straps are too small for sleeping bag, tent, or sleeping pad. I have delusions of some day constructing a pack of my own to get it just the way I want it.

Gear Recommendations: poles a big help; very muddy so plan footwear accordingly; chilly enough for sweater at night but jacket not needed

What I Didn't Bring But Wish I Did: belt and tarp

What I Brought But Didn't Need: n/a

Lesson Learned: check your gear before you leave - I had new poles ordered online from REI and noticed that they're different sized - need to return

Next Up? Hoping to do my first one-day pemi loop at some point this summer. Will have a see if I get a day by myself to do it. That will give me the chance to nab Lincoln/Lafayette/Garfield, which Ted has done but I haven't. May do Madison with Dorothy in a couple weeks, or may opt to head further north into Maine to grab some NE 100's so Ted and I can stay on track to finish together, as I already have seven other whites he doesn't (southern presidentials and tom/wiley/field). Also planned at some point is a hopeful two-day-one-night bike trip from Portland to Boston with the girls traveling up with us and meeting us halfway after day one to camp out together.