First Solo Hike for Skeetah Bait

“Date(s) Hiked: September 27,2005

Trails(s) Hiked: Blue Job Mountain

Total Distance: 1 mile(?) 1357'

Difficulty: easy

Conditions: clear, windy

Special Required Equipment: day pack, lunch, drink, camera, dog, dog leash

Trip Report:

The day started out as taking care of my work search endeavors. I initially considered doing a bike ride along the coast(Porstmouth), since I was going to be in that area in the morning. When I got up in the morning, I decovered that it was pretty windy, so I opted out of the bike ride. Not that I couldn't do it, but my right quad was still a little sore from the previous weekends hiking.

Well, after taking care of my morning business, I drove to the area where the website said the trail was to begin. Now, I knew this was going to be easy, that's another reason I decided to do this instead of biking, but I didn't know how "easy" it was going to be. The website didn't give a whole lot of information about the two trails leading to the top. So I figured I'd just wing it to see what I could find.

Here's what the website said: "Blue Job Mountain serves up rugged terrain to those ready to mix abandoned roads with steep climbing. The route travels up the exposed, sometimes windswept granite surface of Little Blue Job, stopping in the midst of low bush blueberry fields. You'll have a climbing option to the top of Blue Job Mountain itself, and pass other spots of local renown, including Little Niagara and Barn Door Gap. Trail Surface: Singletrack, doubletrack, 4WD roads, gravel roads, and pavement..."

Our dog(Suzy) and I arrived at the parking lot about 12:30pm and I hadn't had lunch yet, so I figured I'd try to wait until I got to the top for a view to eat. The two trails started out in the same area, one went to the left and one to the right. I started out to the right, but the trail wasn't as well marked as most trails are, so I turned around and went the other way. I figured I'd better stick to easily marked trails, so I wouldn't get lost, not that I would, but just to be cautious. Suzy was pretty anxious to get going, she loves to go for walks. She seems to always know which way to go...she just starts out, on up the trail.

Shortly I came upon a sign saying "Fire Tower", so of course I wanted to go that way. After about 5 min I came to a view that had a cell tower and thought, is this it??? I checked it out, but the trail continued on, so off I went. Most of the trail had a lot of pines with the needles laying all over and was a very open area so it just looked like a walk through the woods. I came upon what looked like part an old paved roadway leading up the "trail". I could see another cell tower from there with the Fire Tower along with it. This was actually kinda steep, but obviously not that bad. Well I got to the towers and thought, WOW, this is it??? All of this took me about a whole 20 min. to reach it. I though well this is kinda boring, but I wanted to get some exercise in for the day, so I figured what the heck?

The two towers were perched on a rocky area with a cabin(ranger station?) and an outhouse off to the side. There was a little bit of a view, but wasn't too exciting. I thought about going up the Fire Tower to check it out, but still haven't eaten yet, so I stopped on a rock and had my lunch. I figured if I could go up the tower, there would probably be a better view. After I finished I wanted to go up the tower, but didn't want Suzy to, so I tied her at the bottom, because of course she thought I was going to let her go up. I made it up to the second landing, that was it for me. This was about the time I wished my husband was with me, he would've made me feel more secure and would've attempted to go all the way up. I'm such a scaredy-cat...can't help it.

After I came down to see if there was anything else to see, a woman came up with her two dogs and we chatted for a bit. She informed me that there was another peak with a better view with a pond and she was heading that way, so I asked her if I could tag along since I didn't know the area. I was going to go that way anyway, but I wouldn't have known about that if it wasn't for her. The trail went up a short way, then down a little bit where there was a rock wall with signs saying that part of this was private land, separating the trail from the privately owned portion. You were still able to stay along the trail without bothering the private area.

From the rock wall there was open, exposed ledges leading to an area that was the other peak. Just before the other peak was a small pond that Suzy wanted to go in, but I didn't want her to get all wet. There was a trail that went around the pond going either left or right, so we opted going to the left of the pond leading up to the "top". Boy was it windy up there! For such a small, easy hike it had a great view! There was a 360 degree view from there. The direction of where the sea was, you could see how flat it was and in the other direction you could see the White Mountains! I thought, I've got to get my husband up here! This would be an awsome quick get-away for snowshoeing. Great reward for such an easy hike! Standing there you could see that the Fire Tower wasn't that far away. We didn't hang around there for very long since it was so windy, a little chilly because of the exposed area. Just as we were getting ready to leave another guy showed up with two Chocolate Labs, very pretty well behaved dogs.

On our way back past the pond, Suzy went ahead of me(I don't leash her unless I have to), she listens(usually) very well that I don't need to.....but she ended up getting her underside wet from going in the pond. I scolded her a little, but she seemed happy to cool off a bit, silly dog. The woman I met, her two dogs, Suzy, and I left for the Fire Tower, then down the "other" trail from the top, to check that part out. This is the trail she came up with her two dogs. I wanted to see how this trail was, it was more rockier and just a little bit steeper than the other side(if you want to call this mountain steep), nonetheless it was steeper. I think it took all of about 15 min to get down, only because I was looking around to see if there were any other views to be had. Not much of views going up or coming down, but the second peak was well worth the trip.

I told my husband this mountain reminded me of a mountain in Maine(Bradberry Mtn) that had similarities, but only with a better view. Just a short, easy jaunt through the woods to the top for some moderate exercise. I really think this would be a great mountain for snowshoeing or just a small hike, to get a quick fix or yearning for a hike that's so close by us without having to drive for two hours.

Well I realize this is a pretty long story for such a small (hill)mountain, but it was my first solo(except for dog)hike, ever. I wanted to experience what it would be like to do it alone. I still like to hike with someone(husband, friend, whoever) to share the experiences.
_________________”

“That wasn't a solo! Suzie was with you! LOL!”

“Glad ya got out there Skeeter! Nice report.

My kids and I did that trip once. Would you believe that later, some adolescent minds found it amusing to change a couple letters in the name?”

“go skeetah! :)”

“I'm just kidding btw. I think it's great you did a solo. I did my first last month. : )”

“Thanks guys. So, Ped, you and your kids did that, eh? Figures adolescents can't help themselves sometimes.

Well, I guess it was kinda a solo.... :) Suzy doesn't like to be left behind. She'll give me those poor little puppy dog eyes, like where you going....can I come? :( Sometimes I don't even have to say anything, she comes right out to the garage and as soon as the door opens she thinks I'm opening the door for her. I don't mind taking her, she's a pretty good dog. Like I said, I hardly have to leash her, until I come across people that are unsure of a dog, then I just let her off leash again.

The woman I met up there said she used to hike, but has been awhile. We exhanged phone numbers and may try Mt. Major next week. Depends upon my schedule.”

“I know Suzy is a good dog, but why wait until someone comes along who's unsure to leash her?
Kinda puts a damper on the other persons hike...
:)”

“Skeetah,
Nice TR. :-) You must have really enjoyed the hike!”

“You think so, Twigeater? You've met Suzy, she's pretty mellow and well behaved....she comes to me when I call her and I immediately put the leash on her. Even if I don't put the leash on her, if I tell her to heal, she'll walk right beside me on my left side...when I say "closer", that's the command to make her stay right by my side. UK and I have never had a problem with that. Not only that but sometimes it's almost too late to put the leash on her when coming upon other people, by that time they are already going by. Most people don't have a problem with that. We'll sometimes just stand there holding her to make sure the people are comfortable with it.”

“"....I tell her to heal,..."


Hallelujah!! P-r-aise the Lord!!!

Must be a doggie miracle.... :-)

(Sorry, I couldn't resist!)”

“Skeetah - if you mean some change on a sign or something - they didn't do that. It just became a joke about going to BJ mountain.

My dog doesn't bark at people on the trail, so I'm quite comfortable with having her off leash if it is allowed. Suzy seems equally well behaved.”

“She does....she's well trained by my husband, UK(Monkeyboy). Suzy has some ribbons, taking 1st place in dog obedience class as well as other ribbons in different dog shows. She's just a mix breed too. She's part shepard, collie with some lab in her, but has more markings of a collie. I'll have to try to post the pics we took.”

“Yeah I do...I absolutely hate dog snot...hate having a loose dog run up to me barking, hate having to listen to someone call to their dog. Everyone thinks their dog is wonderful, but that doesn't mean others do.

Most people don't have a problem with that.
Maybe they just didn't say - I'm likely to hike away as quickly as I can without saying anything - just to get away from the dog, and the rude people who let it run unleashed.
Sorry if that sounds mean, but it's true.

That said, I can't imagine taking a dog in the woods and not letting it run loose. So I guess they really belong at home.

In a crate! LOL...

that last part was meant as a joke skeetah”

“My dog doesn't bark at people on the trail, so I'm quite comfortable with having her off leash if it is allowed. Suzy seems equally well behaved.

But does she run up to other people pedxing?

you say "if it is allowed..." good point - most places require leashing on trails...

Suzy is well behaved as I'm sure is yours. I've never hiked with either though. So that's one or two in how many?”

“Congrads Skeetah bait!!!!

Wot Wot Wot!!!!”

“And I didn't mean to turn your first solo hike into a debate about dogs...

sorry!”

“Great report, Skeetah!

...if I tell her to heal...

So, you're a dog healer? I wish my dog would heal when I told her to! :^D

Hey twigeater, count my two dogs in the "fine when unleashed" category too. They're awesome! Well-trained dogs are fantastic hiking partners.”

“I'm generally an 'anti dogs on the trail' member, but a few dogs I have met on TT hikes are great dogs.

Sarabelle is so laid back she is a joy to camp with. Good Doggie!”

“way to go skeetah! be sure to remind Monkey what a great job he did!



after all, your dog must be 1 in a million to not viciously attack anything that moves (in between pooping all over the trail)

{first part serious, second part sacasm}”

“arclite's dog was very well behaved also.”

“I agree with PedXing...

I'm terrified of dogs--especially the big ones (whether or not they bark)... Little ones MAY be a little easier for my fears, but not by much. If they bark at me, it's all over, I'm just shaking in my shoes!

And of course, they seem to know that I'm afraid, so they tend to be drawn to me immediately!!

Doggie snot is yucky... :-(

Sorry about that, but I agree that keeping the dog leashed is better for all involved....”

“i have yet to meet a bad dog on the trail.

now kids are a different story.

i'm sick of those little snotty bassturds running around without leashes, pooping all over the place, screaming and yelling.

i wish parants would be more responsible or just leave their brats home.”

“But sacco - MY kids are well trained and don't bother anyone - you know - two in a million...

LOL!”

“Great trip report Skeetah bait and congratulations on your first solo hike.”

“OMG, I didn't think this was going to become a doggie debate! LOL JK ;) I can see both viewpoints though, about the leash or not to be leashed thing. I'm sure that there are some people that are absolutely afraid of dogs no matter what. So that would be a good thing to have then leashed, but on the other hand if the dog is well trained on voice command, then they should be allowed to "roam" a little.

As far as the pooping and snotty nose thing. Again not ALL dogs are well trained that way, but believe it or not she will go "off trail" to do her business. The snotty nose, well, she's a dog, she can't help but to stick that nose where it doesn't belong. LOL I don't really like that either...if I can avoid it, I would.

Now, kids on the other hand....the only kids that'd bother me would be the obnoxious teenager trying to show off to their girlfriend/boyfriend....no JK, I've haven't really run across any kids that bothered me. :)

Oh, yeah, I'm a dog healer, when I say, heal, I mean heal, that goes for any dog! JK ;) Don't worry about it Twigeater, no offense taken...I don't mind debating about my doggie. I "wove" her...”

“I know you wuv her - and she's such a goooood doggie!

And I'm glad you didn't give me one of those "if you can't agree with me, we can't be friends" lines and then start stalking me, haha!
LOL...”

“Hey - c'mon over to sacco's social lounge and I'll buy you a corona...

:)”

“I just want to add that some people are severely allergic as well. My friend Donna can not go anywhere near a dog or a home that a dog lives in. So unleashed dogs going up to her is bad. Friendly or no. Also, some dogs don't like other dogs....
-That's my 2 cents.”

“Found it interesting last weekend hiking Jackson. When we approached other people, I would leash Suzy and take her off the trail to allow them to pass. Folks would look and I would tell her that she is a very friendly dog, but they don't know that. Invariably, they would ask to pet her, then I would let her go. As we are leap frogging a couple other parties, they kept calling Suzy so they could pet her. She was readily accepted by the hikers that day. If she were not, I'd a kept her near me. In fact she was until called by the others!!!

I do understand concerns about out of control dogs, and I don't like it any. Suzy will typically hide behind me when that happens. So here I am, with an agressive dog trying to get thru me to Suzy, and I think it is only because that dog is interested in Suzy that I don't get bit. Oh yeah, it could have something to do with the lekis in hands too. I am a carpenter and know how to use tools to their best effect...... Often I'll say something to the owner. Just because they have a dog, and I have a dog does not excuse this kind of stuff. (I don't agree with the dogs being dogs garbage.) Dogs are domesticated. It implies that the owners will do their part to help maintain this domesticity. It is not automatic, they need training, much like a horse needs breaking before riding. Sure, things go bad, but in any case, concerning anything, things will go bad some times. My hammer broke once regardless of the guarentee.

Oh phooey, where is that dogs on the trail thread.....

Anyways, she sure was excited when I got home!!! Good job!”

“Well I suppose talking about dogs does give this trip report a well deserved bump. Twig: My dog also does not rush at people either. I wouldn't even take a dog on trail and kept leashed if the dog couldn't reliably respond to commands to sit, stay, come, and quiet down. We have a new pup and she won't be on the trail for a while.

There are problem dogs on the trail. My wife has some friends I've become very fond of. However, when we went hiking their dog was agressive towards hikers and they kept her off leash. I won't hike with them again if they bring the dog. I may try it once if they promise to keep the dog on leash - but a badly behaved dogonleash is still no fun for anyone.”

“By the way, Twig, Skeeta - I'm hoping that to hike with both of you, and Monkey Boy, before too long. You've all been great folks to know and hike with.”

“cool ped, looking forward to it!”

“Yeah!!!”

“PS - don't forget your hiking doggies - unless we are in Baxter, that is...
:)”

“Finially got the pics going...here's the link:

http://community.webshots.com/album/470377907BGqsKT”