Bondage With Owls - A White Mts. Trip

“Info is on the trip page. It'll be high mileage, with relatively normal elevation gains. Give it a look, why don't you.”

“hehehe artex said bondage :D”

“With a trip title like that, you should definitely go to the Twin Peaks.”

“Looks like an excellent plan. I'd be tempted were I not working, despite having done those peaks.”

“Bummer you can't make it, pedxing. This will complete all of the Pemi mountains for me. I'm looking forward to bagging Owl's Head. It seems like it's the most dreaded of the 48 due to its remoteness, though I view that as a plus. :-)”

“A lot of people find the herd path up the slide pretty monotonous - and there isn't much view anywhere, which adds to it.

I've got to get out soon. So maybe I'll see you in the hills before too long.”

“Hmmmm, this is interesting. I don't know if I can swing it Friday to get there by 5-6, but I am off Monday because it's Memorial Day.”

“So... what are you trying to say? You want me to push the dates forward a day? Hmmmm? I could do that. I wanted to leave Monday open to take care of some stuff for school, but I can probably work something else out.”

“Bondage with owls??? Are they tying you up or vice versa? Rope or chains.”

“Artex --

Sounds like a great trip. It is about the plan that I had for the bonds and Owl's Head.


I left "cold camp" supplies at the bridge over the East Branch, did the Bonds and then came back to my supplies . . . ..then hiked out instead of staying the night. I stil have to do Owl's head!


Question. Is the junction of the Wilderness trail and Bondciff trail outside of the restricted camping zone??

I was definetly going to camp illegally. I set up shop right on a little island by the bridge.

But then bailed.


I seem to remember a fairly long/broad area of restricted camping.

Havign said that. The Wilderness Trail is railroad grade flat. Forever. You can fly on it. A lot of people think they hike at 4 mph but really don't. On the Wilderness trail you can do it . ..esp. with pole to help maintain momentum.

My point is . . ..you can fly on the section all the way up and back to the foot of the bondCliff trail... and the Bondcliff trail itself isn't that difficult.

You may not need both nights in the woods unless you just want them.



Their is plenty of flat open area at the foot of the BondCliff trail for camping. Again . .the trail to that point is flat.

My understanding is that as you head towards Owl's head s is pretty wet, it may be more difficult to find a spot for your second night . ..although very doable somewhere I'm sure.



I'd lvoe to be in for this one . ...but Mem'l day weekend is spoken for with baseball, parade, family commitments and trying to get some miles on my legs for the century I will ride the weekend after.

Its a great area to hike. The flat open woods have a different appeal than the ridges . ..but an appeal nonetheless.

watch out for giant toads.


And don't stub your toes on the railroad ties as you fly along in the dark.”

“Once you cross the suspension bridge you are entering the Wilderness Protection Area. You can still camp, you just have to be 200 feet from the trail. By the way, the ranger patrols the area around the falls and the small island you mentioned on a regular basis, so if you did camp you more than likely would have been fined the $50.00 for illegally camping. The Franconia Campsite is just across the river, so for another fifty yards, you would have been legal.

Alex, there are a few nice spots just before the trail to Bondcliff starts its steady ascent. You really cannot miss them; they will be on your right. On the map it is the area where the trail takes a sharp left.

There are also a couple of nice spots along the Lincoln Brook Trail on the way to Owl’s Head or you can head to 13 falls for the night and hit Owls Head on the way out the next day. I would love to join you, but I am doing Trail Maintenance that weekend. I am, however, heading to Crag Camp for the night on June 10th and then hiking the ridge over to Washington and down to Pinkham on the 11th if you are interested.”

“Yup, I found out about the special rules for that area a few days ago, and the places I had in mind are legit. I double checked it with a link to the WMNF's rule site that someone posted on VFTT. Those places you mentioned sound good, Madriver. Thanks, I'll probably take advantage of them.”

“hey isn't the 5K that friday? can't remember what date you'd told me.”

“Yeah, it is... I've decided not to run the 5K in favor of this trip. Hiking gets precedence over running.”

“So would we be heading out on Friday or Saturday to wait for Pennsy?”

“Friday... Plan is to meet at the trailhead around 6pm. I've never hiked the sections of trails planned for this trip, but several have now told me it's an old railroad bed for most of what we're doing on Friday. We should be able to fly along nicely, which is good since we'll only have a couple hours of daylight. :-)”

“Dammit! Can't do Memorial Day...

...cabin fever getting worse...

:(”

“Ha ha ha ha.............ha!!”

“Would it make a difference if I can get there by 5?

Abster - you coming along for this shindig?”

“My plans are still a bit in the air, but its a good possibility - and ohne, sans, senza puppies!”

“I can get there by 5pm as well. Actually, I'll probably get there around 4pm, but have no problems waiting an hour or two.”

“it's an old railroad bed for most of what we're doing on Friday.
Artex
8:55:52 AM
5/22/05

If you start at 5, the way you guys move along you'll probably be off that part of the trail well before it's really dark anyway.

But, if you get a late start, stay to the sides. On portions the ties are stil there to trip over :)”

“. .. and the killer toads.



I rolled down that section of trail at 6:30 in the morning at about this time of year. There were dozens of fist sized toads (and smaller) lumping around in the leaves and on the trail.

First couple scared the poop out of me.



MadRiver. Ya. I know it would have been illegal.

I had just run into the guy who is the editor for the current edition of the AMC guidebook. he gave me some reccomendations.


The river was way too high to try and cross over to the far side.

Anyhoo. I bailed. I had done an extra 2.5 miles that day because of a stupid screw up .. .so I wasn't up for he trek to Owl's head the next day.



Artex.

45 minutes to the suspension bridge at 4 mph. And it remains flat beyond that forever.


Early evening should be a beautiful time to hike it.”

“I'll be up there by 5pm. So unless I read the book wrong, we have an approx. 5 mile hike on Friday to get to a campsite. Correct? Is everyone doing the sun dance?”

“Thanks Lee. I'm looking forward to it. I'll grab some toad pictures, should they present themselves.

That sounds right, abster babster. See you in a few days. :-)”

“ohne, sans, senza puppies.

Ummmm, is that gibberish for "the doggies are staying home this trip?"

I'll make sure I am there by 5, and will indeed do a sun dance. It looks like nothing but rain from today through Memorial Day. Hopefully, it will change.

Hey, should I be packing crampons?”

“Yes, bring crampons just in case. They probably won't be needed, but you know what they say (or.. we say):

Crampons are like condoms. It sucks to wear them, but they could just save your life.”

“Eloquent as ever Artex.....

Oh good, more toads, I've had to kiss a lot of them.......”

“ribbid ribbid ribbid”

“funny Penns

I heard that some trails were closed in the Whites due to rain. Have either of you heard anything about this?”

“Haven't heard that yet, but I'll look into it. This rain has been insane, especially here in Maine. Man, what a pain.”

“I thought I read something about some stream crossings that can get deep? I can pack my super light waders.”

“A couple of crossings on the way to Owl's Head could use some hip waders right now:)
Well people with longer legs than me might not need hip waders but still..

There are a couple of bushwacks to avoid them.
From the direction you'll be coming probably the one that follows the west side of the brook from Franconia Falls would be the shortest.”

“Given that the sun literally has not shined since late morning last Friday and probably won't again until this Friday, the below forecast sounds fantastic.

From the NWS for Lincoln, NH:

Friday Night: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 47. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Saturday: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 68. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Saturday Night: A chance of showers, mainly before 4am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 48. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Sunday: Scattered showers, mainly after 11am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 69. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
last edited: 5/25/05 7:07:27 AM”

“It doesn't sound too bad. After all this chilly, wet, dark weather I really need an attitude adjustment. Nothing like a good hike to get the happy little endorphins moving!

Regardless of the weather, I'm sure this will be fun with Artex and Pennsy in attendance!”

“It will be epic!

Owl stew for dinner!”

“Got bad news today on my condo that I am trying to sell which is not only depressing, but also means I can only join you guys for Friday night and Saturday.

I'll just have to make the most of it!

See you tomorrow!”

“Bummage, abster, but glad you can make it at least in part.

PRAY FOR SUN!”

“Wow - what a beautiful trip! I am still high on it. Got home to 4 happy dogs and an empty house, which was nice to settle in. Listen to a little music, did a little dance and had a great dinner! Now I am off to bed - way past Artex's bedtime - and will dream of gentle rockslides, stream crossings, birchbark fires and thunderstorms. Hope you see you guys soon!
Han”