May 2, 2009 Hike #1
I had another tough time deciding what to hike today. Ed Hawkins was hiking Carter Dome but I did that last week. Of course, it was a different month and I did "need" it, but I just couldn't do it two weeks in a row. At the last minute I decided to join Pete Crane's group. The drive to the west side of Moosilauke is about the furthest I have to drive in the Whites. I didn't want to get up to early so I planned to get there late and catch up with everyone.
I saw this moose as I drove down Route 118.
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I reached the parking lot at 9:10 a.m. I was a little too early because the group was still there. I told them to go ahead and I would catch up, but they waited for me anyway. In my haste, I left my camera on the bed of my pickup. I didn't know everyone in the group but I saw a few familiar faces including Pete, Bill, Darcy, Jeff, Nancy, Kevin, and Claudette.
Junction with the Hurrican Trail.
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About 3/4ths of a mile in, we took a break. Pete decided to head back. His knee has been bothering him and he planned to just hike in with the group a little bit. This is when I realized I forgot my camera. If I had left in the cab of the truck, I could have lived without it, but it could rain today.
"I've got to go back for my camera," I told Darcy. "I'll catch up."
I dropped my pack, ran all the way back to my truck, grabbed my camera, and ran about halfway back when I saw Pete coming down. I know what it is like to have a sore knee. Mine has been bothering me too. I thanked him for organizing today's hike especially knowing that he knew he wouldn't be hiking the whole thing.
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I reached the spot where I had left my pack. This backtrack cost me about 25 minutes. I'd have to work hard to catch up. Part way up I caught Jeff and another from the group.
"Where's the rest of the group?" I asked.
"We wanted to go at a slower pace and told them to go on ahead," said Jeff.
The first sign of snow.
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The monorail became more defined as I climbed higher.
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As I ran into more ice and snow, I decided to put on my Stabilicers. I was carrying my snowshoes as well, but they were just coming along for the ride today. I was starting to get up there, but still no sign of the rest of the group.
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I reached the ridge. I checked to make sure the group didn't head to South Peak. Hmmm, no tracks, they must be heading straight for Moosilauke. The snow was quite deep across the ridge. I saw someone ahead. Finally, I was catching up. Just then I postholed almost to my waist. I had 'fun' pulling myself out. I finally caught up to Kevin and Claudette. Another couple minutes and I caught up with the group just as they were about to go above treeline. Everyone had stopped to put on more clothes.
I said to Darcy, "I said that I would catch up. I just didn't say when."
Our group above treeline.
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Nancy on the 4802' summit.
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We ducked out of the wind for lunch.
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Just before we left, the weather broke and we had a great view.
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Bill takes a photo.
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Time to head down
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As we headed back across the ridge we decided we would tag
South Peak since it was just an extra tenth of a mile.
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The 4523' summit of South Peak.
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Darcy took my picture on the windy summit with Moosilauke in the background.
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I wasn't that familiar with the lesser known peaks on the west side of the mountain.
Bill helped us identify them.
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He also pointed out a plaque that I didn't know was there.
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I couldn't help but think of my last time on this peak back in late February when we had the snowshoe tapdancing contest.
To see a clip of our performance that day click here.
We headed back to the Glencliff Trail where I had stashed my pack and then began heading down. I was glad when we got out of the snow. Trying to stay on the monorail can be a bit tricky and my knee was starting to act up again. Down, down, down, we went. Our group had spread out, so we decided to wait for the rest to catch up.
We were wondering if we should begin hiking back up to check on the rest of the group when Kevin spoke up.
"I hear voices," said Kevin.
"Has this been going on long?" joked Darcy.
A minute later I could see the rest of the gang.
"I see voices," I joked.
"Oh no," said Darcy. "It's getting worse."
We regrouped and headed back to the parking lot. It was to nice a day and to a long of a drive to get here, so I'm off for hike #2.
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