Climbing the "48"

One Improbable Journey Ends and Others Begin

2006-08-21T22:18:00.000-04:00

It was August, 2002, when we climbed our first 4000 footer. The hike up Mt. Tecumseh is one of the more moderate 4000 footer climbs and we had no ambitions that day beyond enjoying that climb. It was simply a natural progression that began when the kids were three and we hiked trails in Waterville Valley, to Sabbaday Falls, and to Smarts Brook. At four they hiked up to the first ledge on Mt. Welch and five they reach their first summits climbing the Sugarloafs. Patience was always the key as we tried to choose hikes that were interesting but within our children's limits. Of course with every hike and with every month that passed, those limits expanded and so did we.

It was not until the first hike of the summer of 2004 that our horizons really began to expand when we met our first "super hikers" on Mt. Pierce. Urged on by our son Jordan, hiking the 48 began to seem possible and we became fully committed to doing what it took to achieve this goal. The truth is that few of the hikes were easy and until the end, our limits were continuously stretched. For many of the hikes we developed our abilities "just in time" as our conditioning and skills continually improved. For those hikes, it seemed as though we could not have completed them any earlier than we did. Hiking these mountains involves preparation, commitment, training, and both physical and psychological conditioning.

In the process Jordan and Kate have become a bit of hiking celebrities with known and unknown hikers as they get ahead of us and interact with others on the trail. Their speed, endurance, and agility are far beyond the norm for their age; they have become among the youngest hikers to ever complete the 48.

We have met hikers who have been hiking these mountains for 60 years. Where Kate and Jordan will be as adults is of course impossible to predict. But if they are still hiking these mountains in 60 years, it will be but a second in geological time. If they keep hiking it will be because these mountains call to them, and in the process of hiking they are in touch within with something larger than themselves.

Jordan and Kate talk already of new hiking challenges and new lists – "100 highest" of New England, "Trailwrights 72," etc. As they talk about bringing their children one day to climb the 48, the generations begin to unfold in a poignant way. A little thought creeps in. How nice it would be as a tradition – one generation after another hiking as a family to be more than themselves.

Descending The Adams Summit Cone

2006-08-21T22:09:00.000-04:00

Looking at Mt. Jefferson

2006-08-21T22:06:00.000-04:00

We Look at Wildcat Where Our Summer Began

2006-08-21T22:03:00.000-04:00

The Great Gulf

2006-08-21T22:01:00.000-04:00

#48 on the Summit of Mt. Adams

2006-08-21T21:58:00.000-04:00

Mt. Adams Looms Ahead

2006-08-21T21:52:00.000-04:00

Mt. Madison to Our Left

2006-08-21T21:50:00.000-04:00

Hardy Wild Blueberries Growing at 5000 ft.

2006-08-21T21:47:00.000-04:00

Jefferson and the Caps

2006-08-21T21:45:00.000-04:00

Mt. Adams August 17, 2006

2006-08-21T21:39:00.000-04:00

Mt. Adams is the second highest peak in the Whites and the grand views from the top of Adams, on this beautiful day, didn't disappoint. The great weather provided an unusually calm day above tree-line. Usually the winds blow hard at this altitude in the Whites.

However the trail we choose to climb Adams was more difficult than we expected. The trail featured 1.5 miles each way of above tree-line climbing with great views. However we choose the historic Lowe's Path because the AMC guide considers the trail the "easiest" way up to Adams with, in their words, always moderate grades and good footing. Not so! On the way to other destinations we have climbed up two other trails that go to Adams – the Valley Way and Airline. IMHO both are superior in footing. The Lowe's Path features extended sections of steep wet rock which was particularly slow and tedious for Deborah and me on the descent. The kids were always ahead and stopped to wait for us to catch up. For Deborah and me the fatiguing decent took 5.5 hours to navigate the 4.8 miles down. The final 1.8 miles, with much better footing, took only 1 hr, so it took 4.5 hours to descend the rough 3 miles. This was exhausting and the slowest descent on any mountain that we could recall.

The trail was as it "is". We didn't hear the "greensong" today and could never fall into the extended hiking rhythm which can be so enjoyable. The footing was just too tough on this, the longest vertical climb up any of the 48. The mountain though was beautiful and we will return to Adams again but on another trail. #48

Distance 9.6 miles; Climb 4450 ft; Elevation 5799 ft.

Boots Back on After Liberty Brook

2006-08-16T16:24:00.000-04:00

The Summit is Viewless But We Are Glad to Have Arrived

2006-08-16T16:20:00.000-04:00

Looking Across at Franconia Ridge From the Slide

2006-08-16T16:13:00.000-04:00

The Slide Begins

2006-08-16T16:09:00.000-04:00

After 8 Miles We Reach The Owl's Head Trail

2006-08-16T16:06:00.000-04:00

Finding Trillium on the Bushwack

2006-08-16T16:05:00.000-04:00

Owl's Head August 12, 2006

2006-08-16T15:58:00.000-04:00

We were not looking forward to Owl's Head. A long 17 mile hike with difficult stream crossings, with perhaps the steepest slide in the Whites, and with no view at the top, Owl's Head attracts its detractors. For a smaller group, Owl's Head is admired. I was open to enjoying this peak, but after the hike, count me as a detractor.

I can remember no other hike in the Whites after which I felt beaten. It was not the distance, I could have gone further. It was not the elevation (Owl's Head is a modest, albeit steep, climb). I believe it was a combination of factors more psychological than physical. First, we opted to bypass the first two very difficult brook crossings by following the old angler paths after Franconia Falls. The middle section of about .5 miles had no discernible path and was for us our first bushwhack. Although we had the Lincoln Brook as a guide there were many tributary streams to deal with and there is always uncertainty when bushwhacking. Next we had to decide whether to make the next two high brook crossings by a difficult hop on rocks or "boots off" in our Tevas. We opted for Tevas and I promptly fell on my first step on a mossy rock. No harm ensued. Next there was the uncertainty of finding the Owl's Head path for the final climb. We had heard how difficult finding this unmarked path was. Fortunately this was not the case but it was on my mind. Next we had the climb up. Going up on a steep trail is easier than coming down and this mountain was no exception. But even after the slide ended, the trail was so wet and steep that I was slipping and staggering on almost every step.

At the top we had enjoyable company. Most hikers save Owl's Head for close to the end (of their 48) and today at the summit one man celebrated finishing his 48. He was accompanied by hikers we met at the viewpoint between Middle and South Carter. They were finishing their 48 that day and they were back at Owl's Head to accompany their friend. They remembered Kate and Jordan distinctly. We asked the kids later and they told us that the hiking couple had seen them running up the final approach to the summit of South Carter. I guess that would make an impression! They were so nice that they told us they would love to do our 48^th up Adams with us this week. Unfortunately he had to fly out to Seattle.

Soon it was back to the return off the mountain. On the slide, besides the frightening steepness, there was the hazard of loose shale rock being constantly dislodged. I spent most of the slide on my behind. Then there was the bushwhack again, where once again the middle section proved hard (with the added pressure of having to complete with daylight).

I felt no exhilaration at the end of the hike. True, I climbed Owl's Head, but at the end it felt more like I survived Owl's Head. Peak #47

Distance 17 miles; Climb 2900 ft; Elevation 4025 ft.

From Rollins Trail - The "Bowl"

2006-08-07T22:34:00.000-04:00

From Ledges on Mt. Whiteface

2006-08-07T22:29:00.000-04:00

South Summit

2006-08-07T22:27:00.000-04:00

From the South Summit

2006-08-07T22:25:00.000-04:00

Jordan's Stuffy is Relieved the Scrambling is Over

2006-08-07T22:22:00.000-04:00

Mt. Washington From Ledges

2006-08-07T22:18:00.000-04:00

Upper Ledges

2006-08-07T22:15:00.000-04:00

Upper Ledges on Whiteface

2006-08-07T22:13:00.000-04:00

Mt. Whiteface August 6, 2006

2006-08-07T22:08:00.000-04:00

Today was a first for us. We hiked back to back days to major peaks. By the end of the day we had hiked around 20 miles and climbed over 6000 ft. in 2 days. Whiteface (the southernmost 4000 footer) was a peak that we had not been eagerly anticipating. The AMC Guide says of the trail that because of the steep ledges that it is one of the more challenging climbs in the Whites. Bob and Geri, the hiking couple we met on Mt. Jefferson told us the Caps Trail up Jefferson was harder. They were right. The hard part of the Whiteface climb was not the warned against ledge scramble but the steep section which begins a mile below the intersection with Tom Wiggins Trail. The open ledges are indeed very steep as promised and as promised require hand scrambling. But we never encountered a section where we thought how we are going to get up this part. We were prepared and what we have learned is that untrodden trail is never as you imagined and almost always not as difficult as the mind imagined.

Instead of coming down the same way we decided to take the 2.5 mile Rollins Trail which goes across the ridge which connects to Mt. Passaconaway. The trail was rough and slow-going in places and we spent more time on Rollins than we had anticipated. The final 3.7 miles was down on the Dicey's Mills Trail which is probably the fastest trail for descent of any serious climb in the Whites. The grades are never steep and the footing is always good. To give you an idea of how good this trail is – Rollins drops 900 feet in 2.5 miles and Dicey's drops 2200 ft in 3.7 miles. Dicey's took us less time. On the drive back we stopped off the beaten path, on the back dirt roads of North Sandwich to visit the Sandwich Creamery for fresh home made ice-cream. Peak #46

Distance 10.1 miles; Climb 3100 ft; Elevation 4020 ft

We Pass This Junction For the Last of 6 Times This Summer

2006-08-07T22:05:00.000-04:00

From Carter Lake

2006-08-07T22:02:00.000-04:00

False Solomon's Seal on Wildcat Ridge Trail

2006-08-07T21:57:00.000-04:00

Looking Southeast Toward Maine

2006-08-07T21:54:00.000-04:00

From Wildcat A

2006-08-07T21:52:00.000-04:00

Looking Across to Carter Dome

2006-08-07T21:48:00.000-04:00

Looking Down (1200 ft.) at Carter Notch and Hut

2006-08-07T21:44:00.000-04:00

Wildcat "A" August 5, 2006

2006-08-07T21:35:00.000-04:00

The third time was the charm as we went back to the 19 Mile Brook Trail to access the Wildcat Ridge Trail up to Wildcat A. The sky was deep blue and stayed that way the whole day. For the first time this summer on this trail, we were dry when we reached the car.

Wildcat A begins with the pleasant walk of about 4 miles up the 19 Mile Brook Trail and culminates in the very steep Wildcat Ridge Trail climb. The trail though had good footing. Once again we encountered another bridge crossing that was out and had not been replaced by the Forest Service. The water level had been dropping and the brook was small enough so that the crossing was no problem.

On the summit of Wildcat A, which did feature a small perch to enjoy lunch and the unique view to Carter Notch and the Carters, we encountered a group of hikers who didn't know what peak they were on. They seemed fit and fleet but further puzzled us by asking what are the buildings we were seeing down below (Carter Notch Hut). We asked were they were going and they replied "Gorham". Gorham is a town about 15 miles further down and up the Carter Moriah Trail. I said you will be traversing 5 peaks today. They looked at me blankly. I was glad they had a sunny day to hike. Their confusion is the stuff that accidents are made of when storms arise.

On the return trip we did take a short .6 mile (round trip) side trip to visit the Carter Notch Hut. The kids had visited every other hut in our hiking and it was important to them to see them all. Peak #45.

Distance 9.2 miles; Climb 3050 ft; Elevation 4422 ft.

Identifying the Peaks From South Twin

2006-07-31T22:04:00.000-04:00

South Twin With Northern Presidentials

2006-07-31T22:00:00.000-04:00

South Twin

2006-07-31T21:57:00.000-04:00

Ferns and Mosses Between North and South Twin

2006-07-31T21:52:00.000-04:00

Galehead Hut and Mountain, Franconia Ridge

2006-07-31T21:49:00.000-04:00

Mt. Garfield and Franconia Ridge From North Twin

2006-07-31T21:41:00.000-04:00

Another View From North Twin (East Side)

2006-07-31T21:38:00.000-04:00

East Outlook on North Twin (Toward Washington)

2006-07-31T21:32:00.000-04:00

Boots Off For This Crossing

2006-07-31T21:28:00.000-04:00

North & South Twin, Galehead Mts. July 30, 2006

2006-07-31T21:15:00.000-04:00

The traverse over the Twins and Galehead proved to be one of our more challenging hikes this summer, but provided us some of the best views we have seen in the Whites.

The day promised to be crystal blue with highs in the valley of around 77. Today the forecast was accurate. We parked our car at the Gale River Trail and were met promptly by the taxi service, that we had hired the day before to drive us the 7 miles to the North Twin Trail to being our hike.

The North Twin Trail crosses the Little River three times. These crossings were impossible with boots on given the wet spring/summer we have had. The first two crossings were .5 miles apart and were able to bypass both with a well-developed herd path that was not challenging to follow. The third crossing we removed our boots and spends about 15 minutes studying the river for the point that seemed to be the shallowest and slowest moving to cross. This was not a trivial exercise, as we are inexperienced in wading across swift moving and bitterly cold mountain rivers.

The two outlooks from North Twin were spectacular and Deborah was amazed as Jordan, Kate and I stood and named perhaps twenty of the mountains that we were seeing from the east outlook. This would not have been possible a few years ago but hiking the 48 does begin to build a mental map of where everything is in relation to everything else. When we first began to hike we could only hazard educated guesses as to what we were seeing.

From the west outlook of North Twin the "beingness" of the mountains and the trees was palpable and amazing. We will definitely return to North Twin again.Across the ridge to South Twin we hiked and were greeted by an open 360 degree view. The summit was more crowded and somehow for us, even though the South Twin view is generally considered grander, the North Twin views took today's prize.

Down we went the Twinway to Galehead Hut. This was an unrelenting very steep, jarring trail that dropped 1100 feet in .8 miles. We are slow on such trails and today was no exception. From there we took the short ½ mile Frost Trail to viewless Galehead Mountain. Back to the hut for a brief rest and then the 4.6 mile descent. There were two crossings of the Gale River that we needed to remove our boots. The first crossing we could have tried rock hopping but the water was so high and moving too swiftly to safely attempt this. The final crossing had a footbridge which went out in this spring's rains but has not been replaced by the Forest Service, so one more practice in wading across was afforded us. The river crossing experience we obtained today will be helpful when we climb Owls Head. Peaks #42, 43 & 44

Distance 12 miles; Climb 3800 ft; Elevation North Twin 4761ft; South Twin 4902 ft; Galehead 4024 ft.

Clouds Lower and We Can Just See Imp Face

2006-07-23T14:14:00.000-04:00

Presidentials In the Clouds

2006-07-23T14:10:00.000-04:00

Viewless Middle Carter Summit

2006-07-23T14:08:00.000-04:00

Looking Back Toward South Carter

2006-07-23T14:06:00.000-04:00

On Carter-Moriah, Middle Carter Ahead

2006-07-23T14:03:00.000-04:00

Viewless South Carter Summit

2006-07-23T14:01:00.000-04:00

Middle and South Carter July 22, 2006

2006-07-23T13:55:00.000-04:00

For the two weeks the kids are in Shakespeare Camp our hikes are limited to Saturday or Sunday. The weather promised to be less than ideal on Saturday but hikeable. The forecast was for a cloudy day with a 30% chance of isolated showers beginning around 4pm. The showers were due to give way to heavy rain overnight.

The Carters - Middle and South are not known for outstanding views and the trails up via 19 Mile Brook, Carter-Dome and Carter-Moriah are only steep around South Carter. A perfect choice for a limited view day and the threat of rain.

Until 2 pm the day was as promised. We were in the clouds with only an occasional view. At 1:30 pm it began to rain, by 2:30 pm it was raining heavily. The last 1 ½ hours of our hike we were in the heaviest rain we have ever experienced on a hike. We were soaked, but since we had made good time and were not on a steep trail when the rain began or above tree line we were safe. If you hike enough in the Whites sooner or later you will get soaked. Peaks # 40 & 41.

Distance 11.8 miles; Climb 3650 ft; Elevation South Carter 4430 ft; Middle Carter 4610 ft.

Survival Isn't Easy at Tree Line

2006-07-21T19:50:00.000-04:00

The Three Caps and the Summit Behind

2006-07-21T19:48:00.000-04:00

The Summit Cone on Our Descent

2006-07-21T19:46:00.000-04:00

Beginning the Descent

2006-07-21T19:43:00.000-04:00

Looking From Jefferson's Summit

2006-07-21T19:41:00.000-04:00

Mt. Adams in the Background

2006-07-21T19:40:00.000-04:00

Mt. Adams From Mt. Jefferson

2006-07-21T19:38:00.000-04:00

Washington, Clay and Southern Presidentials

2006-07-21T19:33:00.000-04:00

On the Summit of Jefferson

2006-07-21T19:30:00.000-04:00

Clouds Lift on the Summit Cone

2006-07-21T19:27:00.000-04:00

Another on the Caps

2006-07-21T19:25:00.000-04:00

Climbing the Caps

2006-07-21T19:22:00.000-04:00

In the Clouds at the First Ledge

2006-07-21T19:20:00.000-04:00

Mt. Jefferson July 16, 2006

2006-07-21T18:02:00.000-04:00

The forecast was for a hot but unusually, for a hot day, a clear day. Given that we opted for Mt. Jefferson the third highest peak in the Whites where even though valley temperatures may be 90 degrees it would be no more than 65 degrees with at least a mild wind. The trail head for Jefferson is the highest for any trail in the Whites also allowing you to stay cool.

We were completely in the clouds until the final twenty minutes of the ascent when just as forecasted the clouds lifted. The views from the top were terrific as was the views from the Caps Ridge going down. View wise this is an underrated hike

Q. When can a 5 mile hike with 2700 feet of climbing seem almost "harder" than our previous hike - a 20 mile traverse with 3700 feet of climbing? A. When you are climbing one of the rougher trails in the Whites – the Caps Ridge Trail. The Caps goes up over 3 Caps before climbing the summit cone. Use of your hands going up and use of your behind going down is frequent. Almost every step is jarring and in a few places the climb is just a little disconcerting.

About 30 minutes below the summit on the summit cone two hikers went by rather quickly. I know them I thought. It soon came to me that they were Bob and Geri, two of the most well known hikers in the Whites (I knew their faces from the VFTT online forum). They were hiking at the pace of Kate and Jordan who hiked and talked with them to the summit. Bob and Geri told us that Kate and Jordan compared favorably in attitude, enthusiasm and speed to the 2 reigning "kid champion" hikers who happened to be a brother and sister too. They were so impressed with Kate and Jordan that a few days after the hike they wrote them up in the same forum. From their write-up it may have seen to some that Kate and Jordan were hiking alone. I got a chuckle imagining some hikers reading the forum and thinking – "Wait a second; I have seen those kids hiking alone." Frequently Kate and Jordan get ahead of us and when they run into other hikers, the hikers are shocked to see them "alone" on these high peak trails.

We got some good news, encouraging and interesting news from Bob and Geri. The good news is that the scramble up Jefferson is more difficult than the Owl's Head slide (our last major hurdle). The encouraging news was that hiking the winter 48 is easier than we may think. We will definitely try our first winter 4000 footer; perhaps this winter. The interesting news was, confirming a report we had heard earlier this summer, they told us how the trails in the Whites were far harder than trails out West. Trails out West are not as rough, and they climb at gentler grades with more switchbacks. Peak #39

Distance 5 miles; Climb 2700 ft; Elevation 5716 ft.

Just Ahead the Forest and a 9 Mile Return

2006-07-08T18:10:00.000-04:00

Another View From Bondcliff

2006-07-08T18:08:00.000-04:00

Bondcliff

2006-07-08T18:05:00.000-04:00

From Bondcliff

2006-07-08T18:03:00.000-04:00

The Pemi Wilderness

2006-07-08T17:59:00.000-04:00

Close to Bondcliff

2006-07-08T17:57:00.000-04:00

Mosses and Succulents on the Ridge

2006-07-08T17:55:00.000-04:00

From the Ridge to Bondcliff

2006-07-08T17:52:00.000-04:00

The Ridge to Bondcliff is Next

2006-07-08T17:50:00.000-04:00

Looking Back at Zeacliff (5.5 miles away)

2006-07-08T17:47:00.000-04:00

Mt. Bond

2006-07-08T17:44:00.000-04:00

Mt. Bond

2006-07-08T17:42:00.000-04:00

Later the Ridge to Bondcliff

2006-07-08T17:40:00.000-04:00

Mt. Garfield From West Bond

2006-07-08T17:37:00.000-04:00

Franconia Ridge From West Bond

2006-07-08T17:35:00.000-04:00

The Bonds Await

2006-07-08T17:33:00.000-04:00

Looking East From Guyot

2006-07-08T17:32:00.000-04:00

Back of Franconia Ridge From Guyot

2006-07-08T17:30:00.000-04:00

Mt. Guyot

2006-07-08T17:27:00.000-04:00

Viewless Zealand Mountain

2006-07-08T17:24:00.000-04:00

Early Morning at the Zeacliff Outlook

2006-07-08T17:21:00.000-04:00

"Feets" of Strength - Bonds Traverse - July 7, 2006

2006-07-08T17:17:00.000-04:00

The Bonds traverse is arguably the premier hike in the White Mountains. Its remoteness as it travels right through the heart of the Pemigewasset Wilderness, up and down over 5 peaks, assures unmatched views and a sense of isolation. Because of the hiking distances involved the Bonds (West Bond, Bond and Bondcliff) are usually done as a two-day overnight hike. We decided it would be easier to train our bodies and minds to hike 20 miles than to train ourselves to be backpackers.

We were not sure as we began the hike if we were going to do the Bonds in two out and back hikes of about 18 miles each or one traverse of about 20 miles. We planned today's hike as an out and back as there was the logistics of scheduling a ride from one trail head to the other (about 45 minutes) and the fear that if we couldn't complete the traverse we would be hung-up without a car. We were up at 4am and at the Zealand trailhead at 6:30. We made remarkable time for the first two legs of the journey to Zeacliff and excellent time for the up and down walk over Zealand Mountain to Guyot Mountain.

We were hearing the "greensong" today and we were at Mt. Guyot (7.3 miles) by 10:45. Given our excellent time, the fine weather and that we did not want to return via the up and down of the Twinway we then decided to opt for the traverse. The views began at Guyot and did not end until we dropped off the edge of Bondcliff for the return. For all of us the hype lived up to and exceeded the reality. This was the most awe inspiring hike we had ever gone on. The scenes were so memorable that, like a song tune that is stuck in your head, they keep playing over and over in my minds eye. If we had to choose a favorite view it would be West Bond. Its little dramatic perch gave you intimate 360 degree views. With the wind howling though standing up was a bit unnerving.

The last miles of this long day were a bit beyond what our limits had been and we all grew as a result. Kate and Jordan accomplished a feat of both physical and psychological endurance that very few adults let alone children can dream of. And at the end of the day we learned a little lesson about trust. Because we had not planned to do the traverse, our car was still ¾ of an hour away and there was no cell-phone service at the parking lot. At the Bondcliff/Wilderness intersection we made a wrong turn adding about a ½ mile to our hike. Due to that wrong turn we walked the Wilderness trail with a solo hiker who was finishing an out and back Bonds hike. He was a cheerful young man who had followed his dream by moving from Connecticut to the Whites. He offered to drive us to a spot where we could get cell-phone reception to call the hiker's taxi. Then we realized, why not offer him the taxi fee to drive us to our car? He was glad to accept and off we went. Incredibly we were back to our car just before nightfall. A perfect day in every way. Peaks #35, 36, 37 and 38. (Guyot is not counted because it is not 200 feet above the ridge).

Distance 20.2 miles; Climb 3750 ft; Elevation: Zealand 4260 ft; Guyot 4580ft; West Bond 4540 ft; Bond 4698 ft; Bondcliff 4265 ft.

Brook Crossing on Return

2006-07-03T21:04:00.000-04:00

Presidentials From Carter Dome

2006-07-03T20:56:00.000-04:00

Carter Dome Summit

2006-07-03T20:53:00.000-04:00

Carter Dome from Mt Hight

2006-07-03T20:51:00.000-04:00

Presidentials in the Clouds From Hight

2006-07-03T20:49:00.000-04:00

Looking SE From Mt. Hight

2006-07-03T20:40:00.000-04:00

Blue Beads on the Carter Dome Trail

2006-07-03T20:36:00.000-04:00

Carter Dome and Mt Hight July 1, 2006

2006-07-03T20:28:00.000-04:00

We are not a risk taking family. We carefully plan our hikes based on the weather, our conditioning, hours of daylight etc. Sometimes plans go wrong. Today was supposed to be "mostly sunny." It was when we got to the trailhead and stayed that way for most of the time of the climb up. By the time we got to Mt. Hight it was raining. Our 4000 footer peak Carter Dome was still about 25 minutes away but we pressed on. After Hight the hike was almost always sheltered and the thunder had not started yet. The thunder and torrential rains did start on the trail down. Fortunately the trails were never steep (Carter Dome and 19 mile brook) or slippery. We had one difficult brook crossing which Kate and Jordan showed the way to us and a 76 year old hiker who came to the crossing at the same time as us. He had been hiking these trails for 60 years, he reminisced and in his younger days would have just skipped across. The key to high weather crossings is to not think too long at each step – which is why the kids showed the way. This was #34. (Mt Hight doesn't count as a 4000 footer because it is not at least 200 ft above the ridge.)

Distance 10.2 miles; Climb 3600 ft; Elevation 4832 ft. (Carter Dome); 4675 ft. (Mt. Hight)

Lupines at the Trailhead

2006-06-29T21:52:00.000-04:00

Crossing Bunnell Brook on Return Trip

2006-06-29T21:51:00.000-04:00

Viewless Summit of Mt. Cabot

2006-06-29T21:49:00.000-04:00

View Near Summit of Cabot

2006-06-29T21:47:00.000-04:00