Mountain Quest 12: Temple Mountain

Muddy & wet on the trails (I even slipped a few times), but a great day. There were lots of stone cairns (including a few set up as chairs) atop the various high points. I thought I'd hit all three peaks, but I actually only made it to Holt Peak. It was a fun day, and nice to get out and about in a week when I was working my new full-time (and hopefully long-term) job. I got some cool shots with the macro setting on my camera. And while the sun set behind the mountain, the full moon rose in the sky ahead of me on my descent... I'm not sure how many climbs remain in 2011's Mountain Quest, but this one was a suitable final ascent, if it indeed turns out to be the last.

Mountain Quest 11: Pratt Mountain

 

 

text later.

Mountain Quest 9B: North Pack Monadnock

I headed down the north slope of Pack Monadnock, and after a few minutes of confusion (this side of the hill isn't as well-marked as the south side), I found my way down the Wapack Trail. I found a very cool tree that looked like an upstretched hand and took a few goofy pictures until the only two people I saw for the rest of the day passed me in the opposite direction. The two guys had beards and muddy boots and they let me know that North Pack was deserted. Sweet!

The hike was long and leisurely, and I wore myself out quite nicely. When I got to the top of North Pack at 4:30 I beheld sweeping vistas all around me, and there wasn't a soul for miles. I celebrated by eating the Snickers bar I'd brought, and damn, if it didn't taste better than any candy bar I'd had in years. After taking in the view for a bit, taking some photos and standing on all three 'highlands', I decided that haste was required to make it back to my car before sundown. The hike back was fun, and I had Almanac Mountain and Abbie Barrett (her new EP kicks ass) on my iPod for musical accompaniment.

When I got back to the summit of Pack Monadnock it was devoid of humans and the sun was setting rather swiftly. So after getting some awesome pictures both at ground level and back atop the tower I opted to make my descent via the paved road instead of risking darkness on the trail, and having to navigate the cliffs near the base with just a penlight. It was a nice walk, if a bit awkward because of the angle my ankles were forced into. There was only one other car left in the lot at 6:30. I outlasted nearly everyone. What a day. I covered 7½ miles in 4½ hours, and every step was absolutely worth it. Except for the summit of the first peak I had two mountains to myself. I had plenty of water and food. The weather was perfect and the wide variety of scenery was sublime. I was on my own schedule with no boss but myself, and I accomplished something substantial and real. Today's adventure definitely ranks in my Top 5 Days of 2011, and I can't wait to find a way to top it in the weeks to come...

Mountain Quest 9A: Pack Monadnock

2290 feet. text later.

Mountain Quest: Wachusett 4

I was supposed to work in Seabrook today resetting a Staples, but there was no work info in my e-mail in-box, so I had an unplanned day off (score!). So I decided to climb yet another 'unblazed-by-me' trail on Mt. Wachusett.

I began my hike on what I thought was the Echo Lake Trail, but I set off down the wrong path. After some pleasant small talk with two beautiful women and their dog, and a quick converse with two helpful women further up the path at the Harrington Trail juncture, I turned around and wound up taking the Jack Frost Trail up the mountain. I crossed two streams, and then I came across yet another attractive woman who was making her way down a steep area. She indicated the quite-vertical slabs of rock over her shoulder as the direction I was to proceed, so I thanked her and scrambled up the side of the hill. What fun!

The rest of my ascent was via the familiar Mountain House Trail (Jack Frost doesn't like the summit, apparently). When I got to the top the place was packed. "Holy Tourist Season, Batman!". So I took a few pictures, buried my nose in "Havoc's Sword" for a few minutes, and ate my almonds and apple before I fled the crowds of gawkers. I went back down Mountain House to Jack Frost, but then I took the High Meadow Trail, and then ended the hike with the Echo Lake Trail (finally!). The lake itself was unimpressive, but it was a nice interlude (though there were more people with dogs, and even a pair of mountain bikers). Most of the day's hike was pretty solitary but I did pass a few couples in both directions, either with or without dogs. Miranda Lee Richards accompanied me on my iPod, and a mere two minutes from my car, the skies opened up and poured all over everyone else. A great day, and the people weren't too annoying (whattaya want on a dry cool Saturday?). Mission Accomplished.

Mountain Quest: Wachusett 3

Today I approached the mountain from the north, and slogged up the Bolton Pond Trail and then the Old Indian Trail. It took me about 80 minutes to hike up the super-muddy trail (which at times had actual running water hogging the path), which has many cool sights.

There is a loud and swift river running along the right hand side of the BPT, and the namesake Bolton Pond is a very cool place to stop at while the sun is over it. I got a few good photos there, and at Balance Rock, a famous two-stone marker where the trail splits into several routes. I crossed over several ski trails about halfway up the slope. It was sunny and humid, if a bit chilly, but I brought my sweatshirt (which I wound up donning for the descent).

On the way back down it took me about 70 minutes, including one point where I slipped and fell on my ass. As I have practiced over and over in my head, I reflexively dropped my iPod as I fell, and neither it, nor my camera (or my cell phone which I always forget is in my backpack) was harmed in any way. Mojave 3, Nick Drake and Miranda Lee Richards accompanied me musically on the way down. And i got a few cool pictures of the moon! It's a good thing to occasionally look over one's shoulder from time to time on a descent.

Today's was another great hike, proving that just because one climbs the same mountain several times, it does not mean that one cannot find new and interesting ways to enjoy said mountain. I've climbed three completely separate and distinct slopes of the mountain to date, and there is still at least one more worthwhile (West Side Trail to Semuhenna Trail) route in case I can't go further afield. What a day! Sweat-soaked (yet again), chilly and hungry, but as always, a great use of downtime...

Mountain Quest: Mt. Grace

Today I climbed Mount Grace, the 3rd tallest peak in Massachusetts. What a great sunny day.

It was very humid, the mosquitoes were out in full force, and I am extremely pleased with myself for thinking to bring both bottles of water instead of the customary one. After the initial 'around the base' trek (some of it actually going downhill) I passed in order: ancient rusty ski lift equipment, an old engine, and a small camp shed with picnic tables and a giant spiderweb (that unfortunately my camera couldn't capture decently). There were a few times below the summit where I was SO worn out, sopping wet with sweat, and fatigued from the muddy slog as the bugs swarmed from all sides, that I thought about turning around.

When after 80 minutes (give or take) I finally reached the summit, I took off my backpack, grabbed my camera and an apple, and climbed 4 flights of the fire tower before a fear of heights (and the hornets!) made me walk back down. But after eating and resting, I knew I couldn't go home without making another attempt. So I walked back up slowly and safely, and made it up all nine flights to just under the locked tower. The view was magnificent. Broad vistas in all directions that I photographed from a sitting position. After a few minutes of taking in the sights (and hurriedly carving a 'Kz' into the top landing), the hornets became too much to ignore, and I proudly marched the 68 feet (vertical) back down to trusty terra firma, quite satisfied with the way I conquered my fear. I know I would have kicked myself forever had I gone home without succeeding in the attempt.

It was way too buggy to read, so I headed back down the trail (70 minutes or so back). I listened to Mojave 3, Nick Drake and Ivy on my iPod, all fitting bands to accompany me on my descent for the laid back mood in which I inhabited. My water ran out halfway down, and there were a couple of places (damn you, humidity!!) I was dying, but I made it back to my car, sweat-drenched and happy. Someday I will make the hike again, but I am going to ensure beforehand that it is going to be a crisp fall day, and not another devilishly humid one...

Mountain Quest: Crow Hills

Redemption Rock - humid - no vertical

Mountain Quest: Wachusett 2

After feeling restless all day I got off my ass around 4 pm and took the Harrington Trail up Mount Wachusett today. It was a humid day, but it didn't affect me adversely until I got close to the summit. There was a lot to see, including two huge windmills that lay still in the non-windy air. About 3/4 of the way up the mountain the route becomes a vertical scramble. I pushed forward with all of my energy and will, and made it to the top, but not without a few stops to catch my breath and drink some water. Once at the summit there were far too many mosquitoes to allow for comfortable reading, so I ate my food, drank my water, and took a few pictures hurriedly before heading back down, with "Hanging Gardens" by The Necks playing on my iPod. As I reached the bottom of the mountain, I was startled by the windmills 'whooshing' in the breeze, especially after one of the giant vanes caught my eye (out of its corner) way up in the treetops. Spooky! By the time I reached my car my shirt and jeans were soaked with perspiration. Hikes like this one are why I always shower just before I leave the house, so it's an honest sweat, and not an end-of-day 12-hour reek. Anyway, the climb was a great use of my time and physical energy, and i felt worlds better after putting forth the effort.

Mountain Quest: Watatic

It was nice and sunny, and dry and brisk too (in the fifties). A perfect day to climb a mountain. I made it up the hill in an enjoyable and steady 45 minutes, beating last year's time. I passed a lot of people (2 duos and a quintet of old folks) on the way up. There were mushrooms all over (like my other recent climbs), and a few spots of running water and/or mud (non-issues). It was definitely a great day, especially since I had the summit to myself! 20 minutes of solitude to take in the view, snap a few pictures, eat my customary apple and almonds, and read some of "King's Captain". On the way down I listened to Vanessa Kafka (mostly the live stuff and the ep), thinking that all of the WPMF bands should cover each others' songs for an album. I would call it something like "Local Musicians Share Under the Covers" (haha).

Mountain Quest: Ball Hill

I loaded up my backpack with the usual items and headed over to Leominster State Forest to hike a new (to me) trail, Ball Hill.

It was a nice sunny day when I arrived at 3:30, and there were few people around. The hike was a big loop, with no summit view or clearly delineated high point, but it was a decent walk. There were mushrooms of many varieties and colors, the foliage was still very green, and I found an interesting tree with a very cool bark pattern.

As I've said elsewhere it wasn't annoying, it wasn't difficult, but it wasn't very fun either. I am glad I hiked the trail, but it was very rocky, the footing was uneven, it was humid (not the trail's fault, but it detracted from the experience), and more of the hike was accompanied by unfavorable odors (swamp, animal poop, etc...) than by the clean fresh scent of trees and fresh water bodies. So: a day well-spent, but definitely no repeat value for this guy. When I return I will try yet another trail, or just walk Crow Hills again, which was fantastic last year.

Mountain Quest: Wachusett

Today at 4:30 pm I began Mountain Quest 2011 with a repeat of last year’s first climb. I went up the Mountain House Trail, and though it was very muddy from the week’s rain, I made the ascent in a swift 36 minutes. There were a lot of people on the trail (there were ten cars in the lot when I parked), but they were all headed down so I didn't get passed on the way up like I did last year. The final short portion of the trail above the summit road was closed for construction, so I hoofed it up the tarry surface to the top, which was dominated by a huge fenced-in area full of holes, digging vehicles and other non-naturey eyesores. I spent ten minutes or so enjoying the view (both Boston and Worcester were easily seen on the eastern and southern horizons, respectively), taking a few photographs, and reading while I ate an apple and drank some much-needed water.

 The descent took a startlingly swift 28 minutes. It felt like I hadn’t even made a climb today. On the way down as I listened to Ambrosia, England Dan & John Ford Coley, and Train on my iPod I passed several sets of dogs and their owners making a sunset ascent. I ended the afternoon down at the lake, where I floated in the middle of the water for a half hour, and then read my book (Dewey Lambdin’s “Jester’s Fortune“) for another half hour as I dried off. The sunset was amazing, as always, and I drove home tired and content, from an honest day’s outdoor exertions…