![]() ![]() Otis was on his best, friendliest behavior to bolster her case. ![]() One of the women in the group started to lobby her husband to get a lab. Otis took the opportunity to do a meet and greet, getting pets from everyone he could. Just before we reached the Mt Tom spur we met a large group heading the other way. We didn't see them again until the Highland Center when we found they'd skipped Mt Tom. Otis trotted ahead of me and fell behind their lead hiker until they stopped for a gear adjustment. The four women had met us again at the summit of Field and we followed them down this section. Smooth, firm snow and a gentle slope made it easy hiking. The trip down to the Avalon trail was a dream. I'd thought about stopping in the clearing at Field, but suspected snow and wind, and as it turned out I was right.Īnother hiker passed us, a young man who said he'd just discovered peakbagging, and was apparently going at it with enthusiasm. We found a sheltered, snow free spot in the col between Willey and Field to sit for a while and have lunch. As long as we watched for footprints in the snow we were fine. They warned us that there were a lot of needles and branches on the trail ahead which made the trail a little difficult to follow. For the first time we saw other people, a group of four women heading toward the Willey summit. We discussed breaking for lunch on the summit but decided not to because it was pretty blustery and we were all rapidly cooling off as we discussed stopping.Īs we moved down the north side of Willey the snow pack was continuous but it was cool enough so it was firm underfoot. Above the ladders we started to see patches of monorail growing more and more continuous as we neared the summit. Otis had no trouble scampering up the ladders and would have left us all gasping if not for a peculiar hiking habit of his. Willey Range trail was pretty dry and snow free until after the ladders. We were able to navigate around without too much difficulty. ![]() Fortunately the trail was pretty dry and snow free at this point.Įthan Pond trail was in pretty good shape except for some blowdowns at the stream crossing. There were a few that required crawling on hands and knees. ![]() We had to climb over, under and around trees of all sizes on the trail. It was a blowdown extravaganza almost until the next trail junction. Kedron Flume trail was in great shape until the flume crossing, thenthe fun began. Thanks to an old thread started by Farmer a few years ago I was confident that Otis would be able to clamber up the ladders on the Willey Range Trail. The plan was to traverse up Kedron Flume Trail to Ethan Pond Trail, then north on the Willey Range Trail to Mount Tom and down the Avalon Trail back to the Highland Center. We stopped briefly at the Highland Center and dropped a car, then went back to Willey House to start our hike. While he was concentrating on the road Wendy saw a moose in the boggy area along the Saco River. By the time we reached Crawford Notch the road was very wet and Jay even thought he felt some slipping and sliding. Our friends Jay and Wendy wanted to get these mountains for their 48 list, but Sharon couldn't come, so just Otis and I went to accompany them and help with a car spot.įor the second week in a row we drove north from a sunny Kingston through deepening clouds and precipitation. These trails are managed jointly by NH State Parks and the White Mountain National Forest and maintained by the Appalachian Mountain Club.This was one of the rare days I've hiked without Sharon. Visit the hikeSafe website to learn more! Trail Manager Other Informationīefore you hike, know the hiker responsibility code and be prepared: Hikers can either turn left for Frankenstein Cliff 0.7 miles further, or continue on the Arethusa - Ripley Falls Trail 1.2 miles gently downhill to Arethusa Falls. For hikers continuing onward, the trail climbs another 1 mile to the junction with the Frankenstein Cliff Trail. Beginning from the Ethan Pond - Ripley Falls Trailhead, the trail climbs 0.5 miles steadily to Ripley Falls. Along the way, hikers can opt to follow the Bemis Brook Trail beginning 0.25 miles from trailhead, which parallels the Arethusa Falls Trail for 0.4 miles and passes by Bemis Brook Falls before rejoining the Arethusa Falls Trail.Īrethusa - Ripley Falls Trail: With opportunities to visit Ripley Falls, Arethusa Falls, and Frankenstein Cliffs, the Arethusa - Ripley Falls Trail connects hikers with many special destinations. Beginning from the Arethusa Falls Trailhead off US-302, the trail climbs 1.5 miles steadily up to Arethusa Falls. Arethusa Falls Trail: One of the most popular hikes in Crawford Notch State Park, the Arethusa Falls Trail is a moderate 3-mile hike out and back to Arethusa Falls. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |