June 20, 2010 Hike #1
On the way to the trailhead today, I had a nice view of the mountains I would be hiking.
Bald Mountain from Route 156.
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Saddleback Wind Mountain from Route 156.
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Possibly the toughest part of this hike is knowing where to start. There is no sign and no parking lot. Although, there is a very wide dirt shoulder with room for several vehicles. Fortunately, I saw three vehicles parked here when I drove by so I figured it must be the trailhead.
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The trailhead is a bit obscure but the starting coordinates are N44° 39' 30.81" W70° 20' 36.98".
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The trail immediately crosses Wilson Stream.
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Up I climbed until I reached the open ledges. Looking north to Mount Blue
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I followed blue blazes once on the ledges.
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Madison loves the water. There was a trickle of water between two rocks.
She took a quick drink and then tried to lay in it.
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Almost there.
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There were cool patterns in the rock.
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Madison cools off.
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That rock must be the top.
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Webb Lake
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There were great views from the 2360' summit of Bald Mountain.
For a video clip click here
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Now I was off to Saddleback Wind Mountain. The guidebook I had said there was once a trail connecting the two peaks. Let's see. I headed across the open ledge in the direction of Saddleback Wind.
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I kept Saddleback Wind before me.
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I made my way down the ledges.
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The trail went in and out of the woods. Although difficult to follow I found cairns and flagging marking the way. The trail then came to a cliff. I dropped down around the side. Here's a look back.
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For the most part this herd path brought me all the way down to the col. From there it was a bushwhack. I would see remnants of the old trail from time to time but from here to the summit the trail is more or less gone. Madison managed to flush out a moose. It's amazing to watch a moose run through the thick woods, clearing a path of destruction along the way. I wish this moose would have gone up to the summit. I came out onto a ledge. From here to the summit was in and out of the woods. Subtracting the herd paths and the ledges this bushwhack was probably about a half of a mile or so. Nearing the summit.
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Looking back to Bald Mountain
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Madison on the 2580' summit of Saddleback Wind Mountain.
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There was a 360° view from the summit. It was a hot, hazy day, but the views were still great.
For a video clip click here.
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Madison agreed that it was time for a break.
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I enjoyed watching a couple hawks soar overhead.
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I dropped down a little bit to explore . . .
. . . before returning to the summit.
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Here's the track from this hike.
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I returned to Bald Mountain. I was hoping to enjoy the summit again, but storm clouds were quickly moving in.
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Fortunately, I was just on the edge of the storm, but the weather was changing quickly. Click here for a video clip. I didn't want to get caught on the open summit of this mountain so I kept moving. What a great mountain! I can't wait to return.
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