Jerimoth Hill, Rhode Island ~ elevation 812 feet

August 16, 2008

           

Jerimoth Hill via a dirt road, apx 235 yds

Class 1; Elevation Gain 7 ft

A stroll through someone’s backyard…

In flip flops

Mount Washington, New Hampshire ~ elevation 6,288 feet

Mount Washington via the Tuckerman Ravine Trail to the Lion Head Trail, 4.3 mi one way

Class 1; Elevation Gain 4,270 ft

Another rock…

Way too soon

After only one day of rest, we loaded the car and headed from Maine to New Hampshire, for the second peak in our High Peaks Tour.  We pulled into the Lafayette Campground in Franconia Notch and hobbled around the grounds taking pictures of the beautiful Presidential Range (ok, Julie hobbled, everyone else was healing nicely).

 

The next morning, we headed to Mount Washington’s trailhead.  What would have been a less strenuous hike than Katahdin was made more challenging, due to summiting in Maine only 48 hours earlier.  It was a bit too soon for the steep ascent and, although we are not big fans of drivable summits, it was a blessing to have a van ride back down to the parking area.

The best part of reaching the summit of Mount Washington?  Aside from being able to check Washington off the to-do list, seeing amazing views, and feeling the satisfaction of making it, was the little girl, with the awestruck look that said, “Did you really hike the whole thing???"



Mount Katahdin, Maine ~ elevation 5,268 feet

August 12, 2008

Mount Katahdin via the Chimney Pond Trail to the Cathedral Trail to the Knife Edge to the Helon Taylor Trail, 9.2 mi

Class 2; Elevation Gain 4,300 ft

The end of an era…

Or so we thought!

From the moment we pulled into the Moosehead Lodge in Baxter State Park, we knew this would be a trip that would alter our existences.  Mount Katahdin was to be the start of our “High Peaks Tour” and Julie and Tim’s farewell to the northeast.  We were not only embarking on more challenging hiking than we had previously experienced, but two of our three members were getting ready to move to the “left coast”. 

We pulled in, chose our campground, set up our tents, and headed for the ranger’s station to check out some additional maps and trail advice.  The ranger warned us not to take the Knife Edge trail, but when we insisted that it was a major goal of our trip, he suggested we should take extra flashlights (“…because if you have them, you won’t need them”).  

We chatted some more, confirmed our route, looked over the 3-dimensional model of Mount Katahdin and went in search of the nearest supermarket.  As we were hunting for steak, turkey burgers, beans, and hotdogs (purchasing food for a week of hiking in Maine and New Hampshire), Jim’s cell phone rang.  Not only were we shocked by the cellular service, but Jim had a pleasant surprise awaiting him on the other end of the phone.  A company that he had recently interviewed with was offering him a job and the opportunity to also move west.  So much for splitting up after this adventure – we were now going to continue our journey to summit America’s highest peaks together!

The following morning, we set out early and headed to the trailhead.  Although we always have them, we heeded the ranger’s advice to take extra flashlights.  The start of the hike was damp, yet pleasant.  Once we hit the field of boulders, the terrain quickly changed.  Jim was the only one of us that had much previous experience in climbing and bouldering.  Although it wasn’t terribly treacherous bouldering, it was a little nerve-racking for Julie (little did she know what was coming after the summit!).

As we continued up, we hit the Cathedrals, all three, and climbed through and above the cloud-line.  The Cathedrals were challenging; they were steep, cold, damp, mossy, and lichen-covered.  Each was more difficult than the last, with the final Cathedral being close to a vertical scramble.

Jim at the base of the Cathedrals



Our view from above cloudline

Getting started on the
Cathedrals

We were thrilled to hit the summit and enjoyed our hummus and pita in the wind, while convincing other hikers to brave the Knife’s Edge trail that we were getting ready to tackle.  Supposedly, there was a narrow trail that would wind its way along the side of the Knife Edge.  Unfortunately, this trail was just as steep and treacherous as climbing over the serrated edge of the rock.

It was scary; it was stunning.

When we reached the other side, we knew we had accomplished an amazing feat.  After tons of pictures and a brief break, we began to make our descent at Pamola.  The downward slope felt like it took a life-time and, just our luck, it poured for more than half of our trek.  We threw on our rain gear, covered our packs, checked our head lamps and ran the rest of the way to the trailhead, where our car was a safe, dry haven for the weary.



A look back at the Knife Edge



After a quick campfire and dinner, we hit the sack  and nursed our sore muscles and knees the entire next day.  That night, we strolled to the lodge for dinner, met up with some interesting locals and other hikers, letting them know that “if I never see another rock, it would be too soon.”

           

Overall, Mount Katahdin was one of the best alpine views we’ve had, as well as our first true physically and emotionally challenging hike.

Sassafras Mountain, South Carolina ~ 3,560 feet

April 24, 2008

           

Sassafras Mountain via the Foothills Trail to Chimneytown Gap, apx 8 mi

Class 1

Our first high peak affianced…

And clearly sans Jim

Tim checking altimeter atop summit



Road trip!  We were headed to Spartanburg, South Carolina for a friend’s wedding and took a quick detour to hit another high peak.  We drove the windy road most of the way to the summit and witnessed the beginning of spring on our relaxing hike into the valley and back.  The sun was shining, birds were chirping, insects were crawling, and re-growth and new life were plentiful.

  



Signing in at the summit register





 

Bear Mountain, Connecticut ~ elevation 2,316 feet

November 3, 2007

           

Bear Mountain via the Undermountain Trail to the Paradise Lane Trail to the Appalachian Trail, 6.7 mi loop
Class 1; Elevation Gain 1,500 ft

One, of many, in which we sectioned the AT…

After a stunning fall drive through the adorable, quaint town of Salisbury, Connecticut, we headed for the Undermountain Trail parking lot, which was as easily missed as they say.  We layered up and headed for the trail, only to find a missing person sign at the trailhead.  

White blaze marking the AT



With heavy hearts we began our ascent to the summit of the highest peak, although not the highest point, of Connecticut (Mount Frissell takes the highest point, measuring 2,380 feet, but it's summit lies in Massachusetts.)



 

We hiked over rocks and through a dicidious forest, stripped of it's leaves, until we came to the bitter cold and violently windy summit.  There we saw what appeared to be a collapsed structure, but we later came to learn was actually an 8 ft high flat-topped stone pyramid, built in 1885.



Tim and Julie making their way

down the mountain



Mount Mansfield, Vermont ~ elevation 4,393 feet

September 1, 2007

Mount Mansfield via the Halfway House Trail to the Sunset Ridge Trail, apx 7 mi

Class 1; Elevation Gain 2,800 ft

From Forehead to Chin...

The Underhill State Park Campground was the perfect location for this trip!  Our trailhead was on the grounds, the lean-to was roomy, and the park ranger had more regulations than the CIA (which provided us with hours of laughs!).

The hike to the summit provided a variety of terrain ~ rocks, ladders, lots of time above tree line, diverse plants, etc ~ and great spots for pictures.  The summit had beautiful views of Mount Stowe, Lake Champlain, and mountains for miles. 

Although very windy, Tim made his first attempt at yoga on a mountain (a tradition that has lived on!).

Julie and Tim



The 1st of many King Dancers at the summit!





 



Jim, Tim, and a stunning view from the summit












Mount Mansfield's peaks (Chin, Nose, Forehead) were named because, when looking at the ridgeline from afar, the mountain resembles the profile of a man's face.

Mount Greylock, Massachusetts ~ elevation 3,491 feet

June 9, 2007

Mount Greylock via the Thunderbolt Trail, 4 miles
Class 1; Elevation Gain 2,300 ft

Hitting the Appalachian Trail...

Julie joins the hike and the High Peaks Trio is formed

Tim and Julie got to the campground late Friday night, after Jim had already taken a beautiful waterfall hike during the day.  With boxed wine and flashlights, we pitched our tent and sat to chill by the fire in the drizzle.  Like a missile falling to the earth, we all heard the bird excrement plummeting through the air, seconds before it landed on Tim’s hand.

Our hike up Greylock started off with a race up a short, steep section of the trail.  It didn’t last long, however, because, as the trail we opted for that day was one of the shortest it was, therefore, also one of the steepest trails to the summit. 



Jim and Tim at the summit





The road up to the summit was closed, so we pretty much had Greylock to ourselves.  We enjoyed our hummus, cheese, and pita in the wind, taking in the views of the Green Mountains, Catskills, Adirondacks, and White Mountains . 







Although eliminating lunch made Julie's pack considerably lighter, it didn’t seem like it had lightened enough.  After a search through all off the extra pockets and compartments, she discovered a handful of batteries and pens weighing her down!  She hiked all that way, in the heat, with the flies, carrying batteries…and Tim didn’t carry anything!

Julie at her first the summit,
and thrilled she isn't carrying the
batteries anymore!

Massachusetts Veterans War Memorial Tower