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Dec 13, 2021: Puzzle Mountain

My original trip was scheduled for Saturday December 11th but was postponed due to a significant rain/ice storm.  Since Suzanne & Gary Cole had planned a hike on Puzzle Mountain for the following Monday, they graciously agreed to let me post it as my club trip.  It was an icy adventure.  When we arrived at the trailhead parking area, it was covered with a thick layer of hard ice.  Initially, trail conditions were better than the parking lot with some snow and patchy ice.  Snow and ice diminished to dry ground after about a mile.  At around 2,000 feet, while climbing a series of serpentine ledges, the ice became a major obstacle which continued for the remainder of the ascent.  Every turn presented a new challenge.  Sometimes we left the trail thrashing through brush on the side.  A common technique was clinging to trees and pulling ourselves up.  We nicknamed ourselves “tree huggers.”  Careful placement of our micro spikes to ensure a firm grip was essential.  Full crampons would have been preferable.  Despite the obstacles, we made it to the summit, although it took us far longer than normal.  Our careful descent was tediously slow but we made it without any falls.  The memorable 6.4 mile ordeal took over six hours, two more than anticipated.  Did I mention the views were great?   Participants:  Suzanne Cole, Gary Cole, Ken Gordon, Brent Elwell, and TC

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Dec 5, 2021: Ragged Mountain

We had a cool sunny day for our Ragged Mountain hike in the Camden Hills.  At Dave Boyle’s suggestion, we chose a loop hike on two relatively new trails, Hosmer Brook and Red Tail, with a side excursion along the scenic ledges facing Grassy Pond and Mirror Lake.  For the most part, dry conditions were encountered but there were some icy spots that needed to be avoided.  The 4.1 mile trek was just what the doctor ordered for all of us. Participants:  Suzanne Cole, Gary Cole, Dave Boyle, and TC

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Feb 20, 2021: Cranberry Peak

To ski or not to ski was the question when planning the February 20 trip.  My preference was to ski but an untimely freezing rain storm had limited the choices.  As late as the day before, I still hadn’t decided.  My son, Adam, motivated my final decision as he liked the idea of hiking Cranberry Peak, the western most summit in the Bigelow Range.  About a 6.5 mile roundtrip hike from the winter trailhead at the end of Currie Road in Stratton, the 3,213 foot peak with a little over 2,000 feet of elevation gain is moderate in difficulty.  It was snowing when four of us met at the trailhead.  The usual debate about whether or not to wear or carry snowshoes raged.  Three of us started out wearing them.  By the time the trip was over, everyone was bare booting on the previously packed trail.  The snowstorm abated and we enjoyed excellent hiking conditions for most of the trek.  However, wind chills in the summit area were quite extreme limiting the time spent enjoying the truly phenomenal views that included a panoramic vista of frozen Flagstaff Lake.  By the time we returned to the trailhead, it was snowing again.

 

Participants:  Chowderheads Adam Chase, Deb Harris, and TC.  Guest:  Steve Anderson

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Jan 10, 2021: Sunday River Whitecap

Participants:  Andrew Carey, Brent Elwell, Paul Peters, Rick Farnsworth, John Stokinger, and TC Ron Chase

Sunday River Whitecap is one of the most unique mountain hikes in Maine.  Rugged terrain, phenomenal views, and a barren alpine summit provide a remarkable winter mountaineering experience.  Located on the northeastern end of the Mahoosuc Range in western Maine, the 3,337 foot peak entails about 2,100 feet of elevation gain.  Our group of six enjoyed a sunny breezy day with seasonal temperatures during the six mile trek.  Since there was only about ten inches of snow, snowshoes were left behind.  The views on the blustery summit were truly exceptional.  For the rest of the story, visit my blog at Seniors Not Acting Their Age (bdnblogs.com) or see columns with the Bangor Daily News, Times Record, Twin City Times or Portland Press Herald (online).

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March 12, 2020: Franconia Ridge

One of my favorite winter hikes, Franconia Ridge weather is similar to Mount Washington so I scrutinized the forecast for a Goldilocks Day. Posting the trip well in advance, I didn’t receive any bites until Brent signed on the day before. We spent the night at a motel in Woodstock to facilitate an early departure. Not the infamous Cascade Inn which was deemed a public nuisance and burned, but the Parker Motel instead. On the trail at 6:35 AM, the Goldilocks forecast took a tumble with snow showers, stronger winds, and cloudy skies on the menu. Since the trailhead was hard-packed ice and snow, micro spikes were the footgear of choice. The trail conditions were excellent and several spectacular views were enjoyed before reaching the closed Greenleaf Hut. Shortly after, an overnight trekker was met breaking camp. He had crossed the ridge the day before but was unsure if he would return. The shoulder of Mount Lafayette presented an unanticipated complication, a steep, consequential icy section. For about 75 yards, full crampons and ice axes would have been the preferred gear. Snow ended and the winds were manageable on the 5,260 foot summit of Mount Lafayette. The ridge traverse was typically glorious in and out of the clouds with a fair amount of ice to 5,089 foot Mount Lincoln. After meeting two hikers cleverly wearing full crampons, we continued to Little Haystack Mountain. Descending the dazzling Falling Waters Trail, I developed a new old age issue, intense left ankle discomfort. Vitamin “I” provided partial relief. The 9 mile loop was completed in a little more than 6.5 hours. Not a record time, but not bad for a couple of retirees. See my column at: http://rchase.bangordailynews.com/ for the rest of the story.