Kilkenny Traverse 10/11/14 - 10/13/14

Dates - October 11 - 13, 2014

Peaks - Mt. Cabot, North Weeks, South Weeks, Mt. Waumbek (44/48 and 56/100 NEHH)

Trails - Kilkenny Ridge Trail, Starr King Trail

Companions - Ted and Sonsie

Took me forever to getting around to write a blog about this hike, so many of the details have now left me. I do recall that we got up there early on Saturday, dropped our car at the Starr King Trailhead, met up with a pre-ordered cab to drive us north to the South Pond trailhead. Probably hit the trail around noon, with the intent of thru hiking the full Kilkenny Ridge Trail over 3 days and 2 nights, taking advantage of the 3-day weekend. Spent the first night a ways off trail in between the Bulge and Horn, on our hammocks. Saw a few guys night-hike by with headlamps at some point, on their way to Cabot Cabin. Don't recall any significant issues during the first day of hiking.  

Next day started off with some oatmeal then hitting the trail to some unfortunate uphill as a wake-me-up. Up The Bulge and then over up Cabot (#43). When we made it to the cabin, the door was locked from the inside, some empties were visible, and the tenants were still sleeping. Must have been a good night. We pushed on down into Bunnell Notch to see the trail toward the fish hatchery on the left (when we last attempted to hike Cabot we made it to this point from the hatchery, but then turned back due to inclement weather), and to see the trail now shut down by the prick landowner. Unfortunately, no water to be found in the notch that far up, and we were running a bit low, having last filled up near Unknown Pound, save a little gathered from a drip off a rock ledge near our night 1 campsite. Pushed on to Willard Notch, at which point we found a stream with some much needed water. Pounded at least a quart and a half each then topped them all off and pushed onward. I cannot tell you how welcome the speed/ease of the Camelbak UV purifier was at this point. Pushed on past North, Middle and South Weeks and then eventually turned off trail in the saddle in between South Weeks and Waumbek. Coincidentally (or maybe because the location was flat/appealing), came upon some moose bones I had seen in a recent blog. No significant issues during the second day of hiking either. I definitely noticed the moss on the stones and more blowdowns, as had been mentioned by all others who have hiked this section of the ridge trail. 

Day three started off with some more oatmeal and a leisurely stroll up to Waumbek, where we saw one of the grey birds others have mentioned as being aggressive, but luckily we had no food to be taken from our hands. Trekked on down the mountain and found our car waiting for us.

Overall, a great trip, and my first multi-night backcountry hike in too long. Just a smidgen past peak color, but great all the same. Weather was perfect the whole time. Here are some pics from it. 

 From the Starr King Trailhead looking south 

 Alongside South Pond

 South Pond

 A pre-Cabot blowdown

 Easier for the dog

Came upon a few clearings since filled with ferns

 Atop Rodgers Ledge

Spots of color

 The Presidential Range 

 Unknown Pond

Sonsie staying clean for now

 Unknown Pond

 Wonderdog

 Ted Atop the Horn

 Horn Panoramic

 New England Fall

 Some kind of pheasant or grouse

 Cabot Cabin

 Jerk

 More moss on the rocks

Ted chomping some moose boneage

Mt. Madison (44/48

Dates - June 7 & 8, 2014

Peaks - Mt. Madison (44/48 and 56/100 NEHH)

Trails - Kelton Trail, Watson Path, Valley Way, Howker Ridge Trail

Companions - Ted and Sonsie

Gear - perfect weather - no need for any gear

Bugs - pesky at times

Crossings - no troubles

Lost/Found - nothing

With a perfect forecast and only a day to hike, we decided to knock out Madison, doing a loop to keep it interesting both ways. The whole way up was steep, no doubt about it. Solid leg workout. A serious slowdown (recent?) on Watson Path with leaves still on. Had to kind of crawl through it. Eventually, bore left to Valley Way so we'd see the hut and be able to refill on water. Grabbed some coffee and lemonade while I was at it. Not too many people there, actually. Not like I've seen at Mitzvah Spring and Lake of Clouds.

Took our time getting up and fell behind book time, making it to the peak in about 4. Then headed on back down. Had poles to help the legs but they were still wiped out by the end. Stopped along the brook at the bottom for a dunk near Stairs Falls. No ankle twists, thankfully, despite the low top shoes.

4 to go. Maybe 2 more full weekends?

Mt. Mansfield, Camel's Hump, Mt. Abraham, Mt. Ellen, Mt. Wilson, Bread Loaf Mountain (6/7/14-6/8/14)

Dates - June 7 & 8, 2014

Peaks - Mt. Mansfield, Camel's Hump, Mt. Abraham, Mt. Ellen, Mt. Wilson, Bread Loaf Mountain (55/100 NEHH)

Trails - Hell Brook Trail, Long Trail, Monroe Trail, Jerusalem Trail, Clark Brook Trail

Companions - Solo

Gear - perfect weather - no need for any gear

Bugs - pesky at times

Crossings - no troubles

Lost/Found - one empty Naraganset can

Dorothy is away on a bachelorette party and Tyler(/Krista/Ted) is sick, so I decided to go it alone and see how many Vermont NE 100 Highest I could bag on my own. I already have the Jays, so I decided to work from North to South from there. Drove up after work on Friday, grabbed some food at a K Mart in who knows where, then got to Hell Brook trailhead around 10:30 and hung a hammock in the trees. Camping in the woods is a whole lot more eerie when you're alone ...

Woke up at 4:45 to try and get the most out of the daylight. Hit the trail around 5:15, heading straight up Hell Brook trail to Mansfield, intending to come right back down the Long Trail. Steep. Maybe not as steep as Tripyramids or King Ravine, but as steep as I've done in the trees, I think. Made it up to the adam's apple then ran to the chin and, for some reason, kept going. Went all the way past the nose and down the steep section after the forehead then realized where I was. Temperature was fine up top but there was a haze around that restricted the view until I made it over the nose and it all cleared. Took the bad weather roundabouts on the way back and then made it back down to the car. 

Cool overhang. 

Another overhang. 

Flowers 

Southerly view near from the forehead. 

Cairn on the chin?

Tunnel of sorts on the path 

Steep decline after the forehead 

Another southerly view from Mansfield. 

Westward view with Champlain and Adirondacks in the distance 

Looking back at the nose and the fog beyond. 

Fog on the ridge. 

Smugglers Notch.

Back at the car, headed south to Camel's Hump without stopping. Legs still felt fairly fresh so I was moving most of the way. Pretty popular hike, lot of dogs. One in particular, an aussie mutt and its owner, apparently trail ran most of the way, but then I caught back up near the top when the path was thin and a bit of a traffic jam developed. Made it to the top for some great views, was enjoying a granola bar, minding my own when a guy who I came to know as King Steve offered me a beer. I did my best not to shotgun it. Can't imagine something more refreshing than that was right there. Stuck around for a little bit then headed off back down. Made the it the whole way without event, and good time again.

View south from way up Camel's Hump. 

 View from Camel's Hump

 Cairns or trolls?

Back at the car, drove next to tackle Mt. Ellen and Mt. Abraham. Unfortunately, they were not as conducive to a practical up and back or loop each, so decided to through hike them and bank on hitchhiking back. Started from Lincoln Gap, which was packed with cars, and headed north up the Long Trail. The trail was generally tough and persistently uphill, without much in the way of views or rivers. Nevertheless, made it up Mt. Abraham and then the ridge provided a welcome relatively flat break. Jogged it at parts, but my legs and general energy level were starting to fade. Saw a LOT of moose droppings and even the remnants of an antler scratch on a tree. No moose though. Also came upon several ski resorts and a guy meditating at scenic vista that seemed like a pretty good place to meditate. Made it all the way to Mt. Ellen by around 6:30. My plan had been to potentially camp at Glen Ellen shelter or just off in the woods, but the downhill to the shelter deterred me, then I just decided to finish it off rather than call it quits, particularly with 2 hours of daylight left. Jerusalem trail was a VERY welcome easy downgrade for most of the way. Saw some elaborate maple tree setup on the way down, though it took me a while to figure out what it was, and didn't see anything flowing. When I got back down to the trailhead, just started walking with thumb out. Made acquaintances with an Australian Cattle (guard) Dog along the way, but not with any prospective drivers, unfortunately. Finally, after walking probably two or three miles, a younger guy picked me up and was nice enough to take me all the way up to the car, despite it being a bit out of his way.

By the time I started driving, it was close to 9 and I couldn't find a gas station open to get some drinks. I felt tired enough that I didn't feel safe driving so I eventually just pulled off into a veterinary clinic parking lot and slept in the car. Not comfy, but I was tired enough to fall immediately asleep. Woke up the next morning around 7:15, sore as I've ever been, and refueled at a gas station. My knees were feeling ready to call it quits, but it seemed like a waste to not do Mt. Wilson and Bread Loaf with me already up there and the whole day available. That being the case, decided to tag them both via Carter Creek Trail. Had some difficulty spotting the trailhead but eventually found it and took off. The first mile and a half were very easy and welcome on my sore knees, and I was flying. The second mile and a half, not so much. Got quite a bit steeper at parts and I was generally just feeling exhausted, so had to stop several times. Finally made it to the ridge, and not a moment too soon. From there, though there were some steep drops back down and up here and there, made relatively good time and an easy go of taking the Long Trail south all the way over Wilson, past the Emily Proctor Shelter, and up to Bread Loaf. I saw little cairns at the top of each, but no signs or canisters, which is a chance from the way of the White Mountains. Consequently, had to take my time at each peak and make sure I was actually at the top. Saw one dog, two through hikers, and a few other section hikers on the way there, and all but the section hikers on the way back. This being the only one I reliably kept track of time for, I know that I made the round trip in 4:22 hours.

Tired and sore now. Wish I could call in sick tomorrow.