RLBH, August 20, 2015, Little Blue, Accord Path

AMC SEM POST-HIKE TRIP REPORT

TRIP DATE:         August 20, 2015   

TRIP LOCATION:    Blue Hills Reservation   

WAS TRIP CANCELLED? (y/n):  No

MEETING TIME:     5:45 PM   

NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS (INCLUDING LEADERS):    14

TOTAL HIKING TIME (IN HOURS):    1 Hour 55 Minutes

LENGTH IN MILES:     4.15

TOTAL ELEVATION GAIN (IN FEET):     558

DIFFICULTY:        C                           (A=very strenuous; B=strenuous; C=average; D=easy)

LEADER NAME(S): Michael Swartz, Joe Keogh, Paul Brookes

CO-LEADER NAME(S):, Cathy Garry, Barry Young

TRAILHEAD PARKING LOCATION & DESCRIPTION:    RT 138 Commuter parking lot

CAR SPOTTING REQUIRED?:      no                    TIME REQUIRED TO SPOT CARS:

WAS TRIP WITHIN WHITE MOUNTAIN NATIONAL FOREST?      No

IF YES TO ABOVE, DESCRIBE SPECIFIC TRAILS HIKED AND TRAIL CONDITIONS ENCOUNTERED:

WEATHER CONDITIONS FOR HIKE:  Hot and Humid

OTHER COMMENTS (problems, views, terrain, etc.) Finished early on Little Blue, so 5 hikers continued to do Accord Path from the Ski lift to the Sky Line Trail

IMPORTANT: Contact Hike Committee Chair ASAP with any medical emergencies or other serious incidents.

Email to: hikingchair@amcsem.org and Cc hikingvicechair@amcsem.org

The Bonds, North and South Twin, and Galehead Hikes

TRIP DATE:      August 7-9, 2015                                

TRIP LOCATION:          The Bonds, North and South Twin, and Galehead with two nights at Galehead Hut

MEETING TIME:          9 am at trailhead of North Twin trail to car spot and carpool to Gale River trailhead

NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS (INCLUDING LEADERS): Six       

TOTAL HIKING TIME (IN HOURS):       1st Day: About 4 hours up Gale River trail to hut, and another hour round trip to Galehead summit. 2nd Day: 10 hours up South Twin and out to Bond and Bondcliff and return, including spur to West Bond. 3rd Day: 6 hours 15 minutes up South Twin, over North Twin and descent to spotted cars.

LENGTH IN MILES:      1st Day: 6.2 miles (about 5.2 to hut plus 1 mile up Galehead and back). 2nd Day: 12.3 miles. 3rd Day: 6.4 miles

TOTAL ELEVATION GAIN (IN FEET):    1st Day: 2400 feet including Mt. Galehead. 2nd Day: 4201 feet cumulative gain. 3rd Day: 1128 feet up South Twin before beginning descent

DIFFICULTY:  A  day 2, B days 1 and 3      (A=very strenuous; B=strenuous; C=average; D=easy)

LEADER NAME(S):       Len Ulbricht

CO-LEADER NAME(S): Walt Granda

TRAILHEAD PARKING LOCATION & DESCRIPTION:    We met at North Twin trailhead, left three cars and carpooled two cars to Gale River trailhead. North Twin trailhead about 3 miles in on dirt road from Rte. 3. Gale River trailhead about 2+ miles in on dirt road (Trudeau Rd) from Rte. 3. About 3 miles of Rte. 3 separates the two access roads.

CAR SPOTTING REQUIRED?:      Yes                   TIME REQUIRED TO SPOT CARS: 30 minutes

WAS TRIP WITHIN WHITE MOUNTAIN NATIONAL FOREST?              Yes

BRIEFLY DESCRIBE SPECIFIC TRAILS HIKED AND TRAIL CONDITIONS ENCOUNTERED: 1st Day: Gale River trail to hut, Frost trail to Galehead summit and back. Muddy conditions on first two miles of Galehead trail. 2nd Day: Twinway trail up South Twin and Guyot to Bondcliff trail and Mts. Bond and Bondcliff. On return took West Bond spur to West Bond and back.  The first half mile up South Twin is steep and a jumble of boulders. The rest of Twinway and Bondcliff trail have wet spots and several ups and downs. 3rd Day: Twinway up South Twin (again) and then North Twin trail over North Twin and descent to spotted cars. Last two miles has 3 water crossings. Water level was low (no recent rains). We changed to water crossing shoes though other hikers rock hopped. There is no longer a fallen tree across first crossing (when descending) to scootch across on.

WEATHER CONDITIONS FOR HIKE: Perfecto. Three days of sunshine, temps in 60s, and light winds.

OTHER COMMENTS (problems, views, terrain, etc.): Strenuous 2nd day of 12 miles in 10 hours  (book time 8 hours) required monitoring progress against pre-planned schedule in case early turn around became necessary. See attached waypoint schedule.

Photo:  Mt Bond to Bondcliff from West Bond
Left peak is Mt Bond (el 4698 ft). Right peak is Bondcliff (el. 4265 ft)
Courtesy of Len Ulbricht

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Welch-Dickey Summer Series Hike

TRIP DATE: Saturday, June 27, 2015                          

TRIP LOCATION: Welch & Dickey, Waterville Valley, NH.                

MEETING TIME: 845 AM                   

NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS (INCLUDING LEADERS): 18

TOTAL HIKING TIME (IN HOURS): 5.5 hrs.

LENGTH IN MILES: 4.4 miles

TOTAL ELEVATION GAIN (IN FEET):    1650 ft.

DIFFICULTY:           C                        (A=very strenuous; B=strenuous; C=average; D=easy)

LEADER NAME(S):       Bob Vogel

CO-LEADER NAME(S): Joshua Tefft

TRAILHEAD PARKING LOCATION & DESCRIPTION:    Welch & Dickey Trailhead; Double tier dirt lot with restrooms (pit toilets). 

CAR SPOTTING REQUIRED?:     No                    TIME REQUIRED TO SPOT CARS: None

WAS TRIP WITHIN WHITE MOUNTAIN NATIONAL FOREST?  Yes

BRIEFLY DESCRIBE SPECIFIC TRAILS HIKED AND TRAIL CONDITIONS ENCOUNTERED:
Welch-Dickey loop trail was the only trail used.  The trail was wooded in sections, and rock slabs in others.  The trail was mostly dry except for a small water crossing in the beginning of our counter-clockwise loop.

WEATHER CONDITIONS FOR HIKE:

Beautiful sunshine all day, with low humidity.

Mt. Cabot Backpack

AMC SEM Post-Hike Trip Report

TRIP DATE: August 15th - 16th, 2015

TRIP LOCATION: White Mountains - Mt. Cabot Backpack

MEETING TIME: 8:45 am

NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS (INCLUDING LEADERS): 5

TOTAL HIKING TIME (IN HOURS):  ~9 hrs.

LENGTH IN MILES: 11 mi.

TOTAL ELEVATION GAIN (IN FEET): ~3650 ft.

DIFFICULTY:    B                               (A=very strenuous; B=strenuous; C=average; D=easy)

LEADER NAME(S): Leslie Carson

CO-LEADER NAME(S): Ken Carson

TRAILHEAD PARKING LOCATION & DESCRIPTION: Unknown Pond Trailhead

CAR SPOTTING REQUIRED?:  N                    TIME REQUIRED TO SPOT CARS: 

WAS TRIP WITHIN WHITE MOUNTAIN NATIONAL FOREST?  Y

BRIEFLY DESCRIBE SPECIFIC TRAILS HIKED AND TRAIL CONDITIONS ENCOUNTERED:

We hiked up the Unknown Pond trail to the Unknown Pond tent sites and set up our tents. After lunch, four of us hiked up to Mt. Cabot encountering some slight sun showers for about 10 minutes. When we summited Cabot,  more clouds rolled in and thunder started so we hiked over to the cabin and waited out the rain for about 20 minutes. The sun came out and we hiked over to The Horn and found beautiful 360 degree views. We then hiked back down to the campsite where we had dinner and went to bed early. Got up the next morning, had breakfast and hikes out to the cars. It was a beautiful clear day in the mountains.

WEATHER CONDITIONS FOR HIKE: The weather forecast called for 40% chance of showers on Sat. and we had very light rain for no more than 45 minutes. Clouds broke up and the sun returned. It was quite humid.

OTHER COMMENTS (problems, views, terrain, etc.)

Great trip! Everyone seemed to enjoy the trip and 3 people (Ray Mosher, Len Ulbricht, Ken Carson) summited Mt. Cabot for the first time. Photos - Ken Carson. Second picture - View from The Horn.

RLBH, August 13, 2015, Hemneway Hill

AMC SEM Post-Hike Trip Report

TRIP DATE: 08-13-2015

TRIP LOCATION: Blue Hills

MEETING TIME: 5:45 pm

NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS (INCLUDING LEADERS): 15

TOTAL HIKING TIME (IN HOURS): 2 hrs 18 mins

LENGTH IN MILES: 5.1 miles

TOTAL ELEVATION GAIN (IN FEET): 1974 feet

DIFFICULTY:            B                       (A=very strenuous; B=strenuous; C=average; D=easy)

LEADER NAME(S): Paul Brookes

CO-LEADER NAME(S):  Jerry Yos, Cathy Garry

TRAILHEAD PARKING LOCATION & DESCRIPTION: DCR Parking, Pull-off on Unquity Rd.

CAR SPOTTING REQUIRED?:        No                 TIME REQUIRED TO SPOT CARS: N/A

WAS TRIP WITHIN WHITE MOUNTAIN NATIONAL FOREST?  No

BRIEFLY DESCRIBE SPECIFIC TRAILS HIKED AND TRAIL CONDITIONS ENCOUNTERED:Mostly flat hike North of Hemenway Hill, summited Hemenway where we stopped to share the view and enjoy cookies provided by Paul Brookes who had successfully completed ‘White Lining' earlier in the year.   Returned via Eustis Trail.   Modified end part of hike to avoid hilly area after sunset.  Returned to parking lot on head lamps about 30 minutes after sunset. 

WEATHER CONDITIONS FOR HIKE: Dry, clear conditions, Mid 70’s

OTHER COMMENTS (problems, views, terrain, etc.)

IMPORTANT: Contact Hike Committee Chair ASAP with any medical emergencies or other

serious incidents.

Carters and Wildcats Hike Weekend

TRIP DATE       July 11-12, 2015

TRIP LOCATION: Carter Notch Hut Pinkham Notch              

MEETING TIME:          8:30 AM Saturday/Sunday 7:45 AM

NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS (INCLUDING LEADERS):  8

TOTAL HIKING TIME (IN HOURS): Saturday hike Wildcats-7 hours/Sunday Hike Carters-8 hours

LENGTH IN MILES: 6 miles Wildcat Ridge Trail/10 miles The Carters

TOTAL ELEVATION GAIN (IN FEET):    Saturday 3366 ft./Sunday 2673 ft.

DIFFICULTY: (A=very strenuous; B=strenuous; C=average; D=easy) Sat Hike A/B. Sunday B

LEADER NAME(S):       Walt Granda

CO-LEADER NAME(S): Len Ulbricht----(Joshua Tefft co-leader for the Wildcat Ridge)

TRAILHEAD PARKING LOCATION & DESCRIPTION Joe Dodge Lodge and Imp South Trailhead Rte. 16

CAR SPOTTING REQUIRED?:      YES                    TIME REQUIRED TO SPOT CARS: 30 minutes

WAS TRIP WITHIN WHITE MOUNTAIN NATIONAL FOREST?   Yes   

 

IF YES TO ABOVE, DESCRIBE SPECIFIC TRAILS HIKED AND TRAIL CONDITIONS ENCOUNTERED: Saturday trails included Lost Pond Trail and Wildcat Ridge Trail.   Sunday trails, Carter Moriah, Carter Dome, North Carter, and Imp Trail.  The trail conditions were good except for the Imp Trail.  Several sections of the Imp Trail were very wet with flowing water. 

WEATHER CONDITIONS FOR HIKE:  Sunny 

OTHER COMMENTS (problems, views, terrain, etc.) Saturday’s hike was very challenging and we were happy to arrive at the hut for some R&R. We started the hike on the Lost Pond Trail and enjoyed the easy walk past some scenic ponds.  After we connected to the Wildcat Ridge Trail that’s when the fun started.  The Wildcat Ridge Trail is very steep with ledge scrambles and wooden steps.  On our way up we did see great views of Washington that made our trip worthwhile.   After arriving at Wildcat Mtn. (peak A), the trail drops steeply down to the Carter Notch Hut.  Sunday’s hike was longer but a lot easier on the knees.  The most difficult part was climbing Carter Dome, 1.20 miles with an elevation gain of 1529 feet.  The trail to the Carter Dome had a some view points that looked down to the Carter Notch Hut and ponds.   At the Mt. Hight trail junction the group split with four of us hiking Mt Hight to get a 360-degree view of the surrounding mountains and valleys.  The group later reconnected at the next trail intersection for our hike to South Carter and Middle Carter and back down to our cars.  

Mt. Jackson and Webster Hike

TRIP DATE:                  July 11, 2015     

           

TRIP LOCATION:          Mt Jackson (and Webster)     

MEETING TIME:          9:15  AM

NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS (INCLUDING LEADERS):     12

TOTAL HIKING TIME (IN HOURS):       7.5

LENGTH IN MILES:      6.3

TOTAL ELEVATION GAIN (IN FEET):    2400'

DIFFICULTY:       B                            (A=very strenuous; B=strenuous; C=average; D=easy)

LEADER NAME(S):       Bob Vogel, Anne Duggan

CO-LEADER NAME(S):             Luther Wallis

TRAILHEAD PARKING LOCATION & DESCRIPTION:    Lot and along Rte.302

CAR SPOTTING REQUIRED?:    N                     TIME REQUIRED TO SPOT CARS:

WAS TRIP WITHIN WHITE MOUNTAIN NATIONAL FOREST?  Y         

BRIEFLY DESCRIBE SPECIFIC TRAILS HIKED AND TRAIL CONDITIONS ENCOUNTERED:

We climbed Jackson via the Jackson branch of the Webster Jackson Trail, crossed to Webster, via the Webster Cliff Trail, and descend from there.

WEATHER CONDITIONS FOR HIKE:  Great. Cool in the AM, breezy at summit.

OTHER COMMENTS (problems, views, terrain, etc.)

We climbed Jackson via the Jackson branch of the Webster Jackson Trail. We arrived at the summit at 12:30, and had lunch until 1:00. We decided, since everyone had done fine climbing Jackson and it was early, that all would cross to Webster, via the Webster Cliff Trail, and descend from there, which we did.

During the descent, while Anne was leading, we came to the pool just before the junction. I was near the rear with Luther and the slow hikers. As we were descending the steep section to the pool I saw Anne was wading in the pool, and Mary Sousa was ahead on the steep section back up toward the junction. I watched Mary and she started back down toward the pool. By the time I had reached the pool Anne was swimming, and most of the others were watching. Once everyone was down to the pool I realized there were only 11. We figured out that it was Mary who was missing, and someone said they had seen her climbing up (toward the junction). I took off up the trail calling her name (however my knees weren't doing so well and I wasn't fast.) I went as far as the junction, hoping that Mary was just ambling along, instead of sitting to wait, or in the woods taking a separation break. She wasn't there. As soon as some of the others caught up I asked Luther and Kevin to descend as fast as they could for 5 or 10 minutes and call for Mary, to see if they could catch up to her. When the rest of the group gathered we started down, however at this point several of the new hikers were going quite slow. One was having knee trouble, and others were just tired after a long day of rocky trail. (As was I!) The group ended up stretched out along the trail, however eventually we all reached the trailhead about 5:00 and Mary's car was gone, so we knew she had made it out.

When I reached the Campton Dunkin' at 8:00 (I had errands to run in Littleton on my way back.) I checked my email and had received the following email from Mary Sousa.

"Bob, just letting you know I'm home and safe.  Sorry but I got pissed off when I saw the lady going into the water to cool off and we still hadn't finished the hike and I had a 31/2 hr. drive facing me.  I tried to call you but you have not set up your voice mail.  Again sorry and I'm safe.

Mary"