White Mountains - Day 3 [Ridin' the Storm Out]

 

We began Day 3 with a visit to Garfield Pond. The setting was serene, but knowing that the weather was supposed to turn, we decided not to linger too long. We got an early start on the relatively short hike, along the Garfield Ridge Trail, to the summit of Mount Garfield. We were glad we did, as we were rewarded with clear views from the summit.


 
 
 
 
 
 
 After we left the summit of Garfield, the weather began to deteriorate rather quickly. The temperature was in the low to mid 40s. The wind picked up significantly, and by about 10:00AM, a steady rain had begun to fall. The steady rain would remain with us throughout the day and through much of the night, with occasional stronger downpours. 

When we approached Galehead Mountain, we were faced with a difficult decision. The Twin Brook Trail would be our final opportunity to descend from the loop before another exposed ridge. Tom made a quick run down the side (Frost) trail to the summit and captured some footage of the storm being sucked up South Twin before we decided the safest choice was to modify our planned route and shelter in the valley for the evening. 

 
 
 
 
We hustled the just shy of 3 miles down the Twin Brook Trail. The brook for which the trail is named is heard more often than seen, but we had seen plenty of water for the day, at this stage. There were a few other brave souls at the Thirteen Falls Tentsite, when we arrived. The site, which is maintained by the Appalachian Mountain Club, featured a composting privy and an area to wash dishes, in return for the $10/night fee. 
 
After a dinner of Ramen noodles, to attempt to restore some warmth, we retired early for the evening. Even with the continuing rain and strong winds, it was an evening of sound sleep. In the morning, we would begin our hike out of the wilderness.

Check out the YouTube video!
 

 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Hiking After Work in Tucson, Arizona - [Brown Mountain Trail]

Image
  Where is Brown Mountain located? Brown Mountain is located about 30 minutes west of downtown Tucson, Arizona. Brown Mountain and Brown Mountain Picnic Area, where the trailhead is located, are within Tucson Mountain Park. The trailhead is just south of Kinney Road, on McCain Loop Road. What should one expect when hiking Brown Mountain? The hike is approximately 4.8 miles round-trip. The trails are mostly rock and gravel, with some loose rock present. We would definitely recommend wearing appropriate hiking footwear when hiking at Brown Mountain. The trail is, however, well-marked and well-maintained. While the altitude is not breathtaking, at a maximum of 3,098 feet, it is high enough to provide great views of the surrounding area. There are plenty of views throughout the trail, as there are dual peaks, and a section of the trail is an exposed ridgeline. The views only require a modest effort, as there is only about 400 feet of elevation gain on the trail.  Tucson Mountain Park is g
Read more

Overnight Backpacking Loop in Virginia: Three Ridges Wilderness

Image
  Where is the Three Ridges Wilderness? The Three Ridges Wilderness is located in Virginia's George Washington National Forest, about 30 miles southwest of Charlottesville. There is parking at Reids Gap (at the intersection of the Blue Ridge Parkway and Virginia 664). It's also possible to start from the Appalachian Trail trailhead at Tye River. Why visit the Three Ridges Wilderness? The Appalachian Trail (AT) runs through the Three Ridges Wilderness, which is reason enough to visit. This loop features some spectacular views along the AT and a series of waterfalls and pools on the Mau-Har side of the loop.  What should one expect on the trails in the Three Ridges Wilderness? If you are not accustomed to hiking in the mountains, this will be a strenuous hike. If you are, this will probably be a moderate hike. The trails are rocky and uneven in many places, so be sure to wear proper footwear and watch where you place your feet. Much of the hike is spent ascending or descending
Read more

White Mountains - Day 4 [Franconia Brook Trail]

Image
Despite the rain and strong winds overnight, we had slept soundly and for many hours. As we ate breakfast, we thought about the first foods we would eat once we emerged from the forest. When we began our final day of hiking, only about eight miles separated us from our original starting point.    The brooks, which we would have to cross a few times over the course of the day, were swollen from the previous day's rain. We marveled at the sheer power of the water crashing over the rocks as we left the campsite. Further down the trail, we passed through an area that was somewhat flooded out, due to the combination of precipitation and beaver activity.      While much of the second half of the trip was wet, the sun reappeared to lift our spirits as we hiked towards the finish. As we neared the Lincoln Woods Trail, we began to encounter other hikers more frequently. As we officially exited the Pemigewasset Wilderness, we stopped to chat with a group who had spent the night at Guyot Camp
Read more