Penobscot Paddle and Chowder Society
Where Maine Paddling Began
Four Chowderheads joined me for a climb of Caribou Mountain in Evans Notch on a cool November day. We encountered varying conditions during the 6.6 mile trek with multiple stream crossings being the most challenging obstacle. The views on the sunny windless summit were spectacular. A blanket of snow and a wet trail were experienced during the descent. Overall, it was an outstanding day with great friends.
Participants: Brent Elwell, Laurie Wunder, Tom Meredith, Nancy Chase, and TC
The plan was to canoe camp and hike at Donnell Pond for the weekend. No other members signed up for the trip, so Chris Petersen and I (Helen Hess, TC) decided make it a day trip, take the dog, and leave the canoe at home. Instead of parking at the boat launch, we parked in the lot near Schoodic beach and hiked up Black Mountain. I’ve spent lots of summers on Donnell Pond and have only ever hiked Schoodic peak. It was always so hot that one hike did us in, and we’d return to the water for the rest of our fun. So I chose a date in early May when the weather would still be cool. We got even luckier with the bugs…there were none! Our hike through the woods was sometimes steep, but often gentle, through a festival of tiny leaves as the trees start to celebrate spring and the moss is as green as can be. We went up the Black Cliffs trail and then out to Black Mountain east peak for the spectacular views. We looked at Mt Desert Island to the south and at the rows of windmills, looking like an otherworldly amusement park, to the north, all under an ever-changing sky. We returned to our car via a loop that skirted Wizard pond and led us back to the beach by mid-afternoon. The wind had picked up, and the whitecaps on the pond made us feel quite satisfied about our boat-free plan for the day.
Participants: TC Ron Chase, John Brower, Brent Elwell, Julia “Troad” Richmond, Dave Boyle, President Eggman DeCoster
My scheduled Fall Supper Trip was a bike ride on the Carriage Trails. The problem, we had rain, fog, and wind and no one wanted to bike but me. Someone mentioned a short hike instead. Another wannabee hiker suggested Norumbega Mountain. We had a plan. By the time we arrived at the trailhead for Goat Trail, the rain had diminished to mist. The steep aptly named Goat Trail was a bit slippery but the most remarkable aspect of the climb was that President Eggy established a new hiking fashion standard wearing his cap inside out. Views at the summit were minimal but the stormy conditions had their own peculiar appeal.
Descending gradually south on Norumbega Mountain Trail to the southern terminus of Lower Hadlock Pond, instead of completing the intended 3 mile loop, we decided to extend the trip by continuing around the far side of the pond. In retrospect, I’m still not sure the cause. Perhaps the provocative conversations initiated by Brent and Eggy distracted us. Regardless, six experienced hikers carrying maps somehow managed to miss the Norumbega Connector Trail instead returning to the south end of Lower Hadlock Pond; completing an unanticipated circumnavigation of the entire picturesque body of water. Free mileage was the cry! Instead of a 3 mile loop, we completed a 5 mile double loop. I got my bike ride in as I talked Eggster, John and Nancy into a cycle around Eagle Lake after. For the rest of the story, visit my blog at http://www.rchase.bangordailynews.com/
Participants: TC Ron Chase, Suzanne Cole
For the first scheduled club Fall/Winter trip, I posted a Leader’s Choice. Suzanne was the first to respond suggesting among other options, Mount Chocorua in NH. Since I had been thinking about a climb on Chocorua all fall, that was an easy choice for me. Unfortunately, Gary was laid up with shingles and several others who wanted to do a local hike were left behind. Stormy the day before, we encountered snow and ice after about a mile. While we never had deep snow, there was a carpet of white stuff at higher elevations but below tree line. A close call as we had some icy sections, we decided not to use micro spikes on the ascent.
It was a good decision because the spectacular summit cone was essentially ice and snow free. The 3,475 foot alpine summit provides some of the most exceptional views in the White Mountains. Light winds and clear sunny skies provided a wonderful opportunity to linger at the summit soaking in the views. Once below tree line, we donned our spikes for the descent. Part way back, we took a spur trail to impressive Champney Falls. I somehow bungled my photos of the falls. Otherwise, the day was a 10!
Participants: TC Ron Chase, John Brower, Brent Elwell
We had a cool sunny day for the planned hike on Little Jackson Mountain near Weld. John, Brent and I met in front of an ancient cemetery on Byron Road and then rambled down the rough, poorly maintained Morgan Road to the trailhead. The initial 2.5 mile ascent was unremarkable. After scaling a boulder-strewn pitch and arriving on exposed ledges, we were greeted with a surprise. The forecast for light breezes was badly flawed. Instead, we had gusty winds out of the northwest that required parkas, mitts and stocking caps. Thankfully, Brent carried an extra stocking cap. Given the size of his pack, he probably had extra everything.
After a respite in a stone windbreak at the summit, we decided to descend an unofficial trail that drops off the southwest slope of Little Jackson to Tumbledown Pond. The views of the pond and the three peaks of Tumbledown below were phenomenal. Just before reaching the pond, we took another unofficial trail over infrequently climbed North Peak, at 3,090 feet the high point on Tumbledown. From there, we continued over West and East Peaks and descended to the pond, where scores of hikers had gathered. We finished the day by traversing over Parker Ridge and trekking down Parker Ridge Trail completing one of the most exceptional mountain hikes in Maine. For the rest of the story, see my column in the Brunswick Times Record: https://www.pressherald.com/2019/11/08/ron-chase-the-second-best-hike-in-maine/
