Big Rock Cave in Wonaloncet N.H.

“We were supposed to hike a part of the AT in Maine this weekend with a couple of friends, but they work second shift and we work first. We prefer to hike from Friday night to Monday afternoon, they prefer to hike Saturday afternoon to Monday night. So we politely bowed out Wednesday night as we couldn't get our schedules together. I think the term "hike your own hike" really applies here.

Thursday night, Skeeter Bait tells me that all the workers who live in Maine (Her company is in N.H.) are working until 7PM Friday. Their logic is: sit in traffic for 3 hours or get paid overtime to work. So.... we decide that I will pack for the trip, go against the trafficjam and pick her up at work, and go north. I'll bring the maps with us and we'll pick something on the way. (Uh... has anyone else ever done this?)

Anyways, we are heading north and we choose Big Rock cave, a hike I had done some years ago, solo. Actually, Suzy came with me. We stop for supplies and a pizza. We can't quickly locate a copier, so I copy the map onto a piece of paper for the trip, out of the book.

We are driving (pitter) north and (patter) looking for the trailhead (pitter-patter). It's (Pitter-patter, pitter-patter) dark and starting to rain pretty good now, about 8 PM. We finally find it, park and get in back of the truck under the cap and load up. We have the gore-tex on and headlamps under our hats. And we are off in the rain and dark.

It's about 1.6 miles in to the caves. We are thinking we'll find shelter from the rain there, but.... it's dark, the roots are slippery, and we are sweating to death and fogging up Skeeter Baits glasses. We ditch the rain gear, but keep the hats to protect the lamps and glasses. Finally we are cooling off hiking in the rain in shorts. We find a nice padded level, fairly dry piece of ground. Suzy and SB wait there, while I make sure we aren't real close to the cave. We aren't, so I double back and we set up camp. It's a new tent, TNF Rock 22. Sets up real easy first time, no instructions. We get in and make Suzy lay in the vestibule.

In the morning we reflect on what is going on. The rain has stopped, and the tent, practically all screen under the fly is dry inside. Real nice, no condensation. what rain got in has pretty well dried up, except under our thermarests. There is a nice gear pocket at one end, and 5 hanging points inside. One is used for SB's glasses, which eliminates the need for a carrying case in the pack. The thermarests also prove more comfortable than the ridgerests we used to use. Then we see the skeeters. No oatmeal today. Breakfast consists of a big bagel with peanut butter. Fortunately, the packs fit in the tent with us.

We break camp and put the poison all over us and hike in peace. About a quarter mile down the trail is the caves, actually, huge rocks leaning against each other. Of course I klimb all over them. The wind really picks up and the skeeters are held at bay.

We continue on looking for Paugus overlook. The trails aren't quite as the map shows them and more have been added. Also, some vandals had destroyed a sign. We did have to backtrack a half a mile to get straightened out but we finally to a pretty steep klimb. And there is a mother of a big tree fallen down in the middle of this uphill klimb. It must have been 2 1/2 feet diameter, and in the steepest part of the klimb. After clearing that tree, we hear another tree falling over, and I see it fall!. I am looking around and there are dead trees all over and many have fallen. Then we remember the sign we saw last night in the rain. This area is slated fro a clear cut. I would say this area needs it. There are more dead trees on the ground than there are dead and live trees standing.

We are sweating like crazy now, but the views from the top are awesome. We see Mt Chocorura (SP) across the way. We are thankful we chose running shorts for hiking. Light breathable, and unrestrictive. For those on the Hike Maine trip, ask Skeeter bait about the trail name she earned on this trip. I don't dare post it, it is completely up to her...smirk!!!

We take lunch on a nice overhang and SB is napping on the cliff. Iam scouting around and find a gorgeous spot and call her over. We decide that this is our campsite tonight. Incredible views, very clean, 3200 feet up. But we are almost out of water. We tie Suzy to our gear, and after consulting another hiker with a better map, we chase water down about a half mile away and wash our hands and faces. We get back set up camp in the thin area of woods off to the side. Nice and soft, with a fire ring! We check later and find ourselves only 175 feet off tril, not the required 200 feet. Shame on us. We don't move it. The sunset is absolutely spectacular, partly cloudy and pink and red. We start a fire with birch bark from all the downed birches and pine cones and get a respectable fire going. Then it takes forever to burn out. We watch the coals burn down and hit the hay. Then the wind comes up and starts the fire up again. I stomp it out and get back in bed. The wind does it again, and again. Finally, I scratch it up good, pee on it, and to make sure I empty on of our kamelbaks on it. It's out and we won't be burning out the White Mountains.

Other gear notes here: We used our matable Campmor 20 degree down bags and find them to plenty warm (first time). We learn that I forgot 2 things: 1) butter but we were so hungry that everything tasted great without it, and 2) my night cap. A fleece hat I were to bed on cold nights. I get headaches without it. Even skiing, I need fabric over my forehead. I'll not forget that anytime soon, I promise. Also we were debating if we should bring Tevas or walmart water slippers for water crossings and camp. We decide the cheap walmart shoes (we had both). They slip on easier for night time trips to the bushes and they worked well. The new tent holds up well in the fierce wind.

The next morning, we eat our fill of oatmeal and pack up to head out”

“We eat and head out. The trail going down is as steep as the one we took in. After some careful negotiation we make over a long descent and head home.

We have tons we need to do today, so we left a day early. We'll try to load some pics onto webshots and give you a link.”

“Good trip report dude!!!!


Sounds like it was a fun time.


8)”

“Sounds like a fun trip!

The report was definitely a fun read.

now what is that new trail name?”

“A few things monkeyboy left out....the climb up wasn't too bad for me....kinda....but the climb down, well... Remember what I said about being afraid of heights? Oh my god! Their were some points, I was really shaking in my boots. Way too close to the edge for my comfort! The climbing down outta that place scared the @##crap outta me! I was very thankful for Monkey Boy and his patience, it took a bit to get out of the scary part, then I felt much better the rest of the trip. This was really the first hike of the season for us as the other planned trips ended up being bagged for weather or other personal reasons.

All in all this was a very nice place to hike, I just wished it was easier as far as being close to the edge. As far as deciding on where to hike at the minute, wasn't too bad of a choice even though we didn't have any idea of what we were getting into beyond Big Rock Cave where monkeyboy had been before. Spur of the moment trips turn out to be very interesting and to find out what you're capable of doing or not.

We had some great views all around from the top. From one side we could see Mt. Chocorura, from another was Wonalancet, Hibbard, Passaconaway, Tripyramid, and The Fool Killer. What a beautiful sunset we had on Saturday night. We did catch some of a sunrise, but were too tired to sit and watch for long.

My God wasn't the wind blowing on Saturday night!!! I think if we didn't tie the tent down, it would've gotten blown off the mountain!!! I kept making monkeyboy get up to check on the coals that were getting re-ignited by the wind....I was afraid we'd have the White Mountains up in flames before the end of the night. I certainly didn't want to be in the news as the two hikers that started the fire in the Whites! I think the wind kept me up til midnight before I was comfortable enough that it was completely out. I had to laugh at monkeyboy when he peed on the fire...wasn't enough though. (LOL)

Gear note: I need to get a pack cover for rain, other than that, I think I'm all set. Hiking note: I need to get more physical so I don't end up so sore. I'm not completely sore, but enough that I need to do more other than go to work every day and come home.

Ped...sorry, but I can't say what monkeyboy came up with....guess you'll have to just use your imagination :)”

“http://community.webshots.com/scripts/editPhotos.fcgi?action=viewall&albumID=88383210

One more gear note. I trade my 7 lb 4 oz LL Bean pack for an EMS Long Trail at 4 lb 4 oz. The pack performed well and the pocket configuration worked better for my gear. Instead of 4 small outer pockets, it had 3 larger ones, with the center one being big enough to hold our entire kitchen. The only feature it lacked, which I do not mind, was that it is a load everything in from the top. There is not a separate compartment in the bottom for the sleeping bag. Saves a flap of fabric, and it really worked out fine anyways, The tent comes out first, then the thermarest, then the clothes bag (pillow) and then the sleeping bag. All my gear stows inside, nothing to snag on trees or branches. Very pleased with it.

I gotta say that Pedxing inspired us. Look at the detailed trip reports he gave and we are following his lead somewhat. It's nice not to be dribbling about some issue, but rather telling the fun we had.”

“Glad you enjoyed my neck of the woods.”