October 12, 2010 Hike #2
Having hiked Mount Cabot in the morning, I fulfilled my Grid requirement for the day. I still need four peaks for this month's Grid but while I was in the northern Whites I wanted to do something new. About four years ago I spotted the Percy Peaks from The Horn. They have been on my to do list ever since. Madison and I hit the trail about 1:15 p.m. We began on the Percy Loop Trail which is also part of the Cohos Trail.
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It was a nice easy walk. We climbed steadily, but nothing too steep.
The trail was smooth with great footing.
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Our first stop was the Percy Loop Tentsite.
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It consisted of a kiosk, one tent platform, and a privy.
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After this, the trail become much more rugged and very steep. Up we headed. I started heading down and feared I missed the trail. Then I saw this sign pointing back to where I was. Yep I missed the turned.
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I backed up the trail a couple of minutes and saw this sign.
FYI - If you are doing this loop in a clockwise direction it is easy to miss.
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I was now following orange blazes.
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All right! Now the fun part.
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Looking over to South Percy.
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Almost there.
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Here I am on the 3418' summit of North Percy.
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The summit wasn't quite as "bald" as I was expecting, but there were still incredible views in all directions.
Looking over to Long Mountain
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I took a bunch of photos as I explored the summit.
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Looking down to Christine Lake
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I zoomed in for a shot of the Presies, way in the back.
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Here's a panoramic shot towards South Percy.
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It took me 4 years to get to this summit so I was in no hurry to leave. The weather was perfect with sunny skies and little wind. There won't be many days like this left before winter so a spent a full hour on the summit which included a nice summit nap on the rocks.
I then headed back down the trail and briefly got on the Old Summer Club Trail
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I would only be on this for a couple of minutes. I was looking for the trail that led up to South Percy.
I went by this blaze. I figured it was trying to tell me something.
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I kept my eye open for a sign but didn't see one. I started to turn up and away from where I wanted to go. Trails often make funny turns. I figured I would keep going but had a feeling I missed it. I went by a pretty, mossy spot that was like carpet.
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I started to go down and new for sure that I must have missed my turn. I went back to the funny blaze on the tree. Sure enough I found the trail which has no sign and looks like a small herd path. No wonder I missed it. Up I headed to the summit. The 3234' summit of South Percy couldn't rival it's bigger brother, North Percy, but the views were still incredible.
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Perhaps the most impressive view of the day was the view of North Percy.
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Madison agreed that it was time for another break.
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I headed back down to the col and began my descent on the Percy Peaks Trail. I thought the views were done for the day but did find one more scenic viewpoint on the way down.
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There was a steep spot that had a rope to assist.
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Near the bottom I went over a small bridge.
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Then I came out at the trailhead.
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I dropped my pack, grabbed my keys, and made the 1+ mile roadwalk to my car finishing about 6:00 p.m.
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