June NH White Mountain's w/e hiketrip.

“The "New Hampshire's White Mountains in Spetember thread" has become confusing because of lines of discussion about the June trip suggested by SirPete to reconnoiter the White's before September. A few people have mentioned the confusion, and two of us mentioned starting a June only thread.

Update:

Date of hike: Probably the June 16th w/e. (if no objections by Wed., lets make this definite).

Location/Plan: SlackPacking (possibly two long dayhikes) in the Whites. No trails have been decided on, but are likely to be roughly in the area between Mt. Liberty and Mount Madison. the following people have expressed various levels of interest/committment in the trip.

People with an interest:
SirPete
Me (prolly with 1 or 2 of my sons)
AmyG
Mad River
Pekka
Sunshine

These are the people as I remember them in the order in which I remember them expressing interest. Everytime I try to describe or summarize what other people have said, I am counting on y'all to correct me. My apologies to anyone I forgot.”

“For anyone who tries to pull up the September thread in the future, the month is spelled correctly on the thread.

My spelling/typing can be attrocious. My 13 y/o corrects my emails to him!!!”

“ok, so iffin we are planning just a weekend jaunt in June...
Franconia range:
one idea that has been tossed around would be to hike in to the Liberty Springs Site Friday (and Pete can meet up that night or Sat AM). Those of us arriving Friday early, could add a side trip to Flume, where, according to telemark, the sunset is awesome! :o)

Early start on Saturday to Little Haystack, Mt. Lincoln and Lafayette(camping at North Peak?)...then loop back down the Bridle Path, past Eagle lakes. Follow the Pemi trail back to start?

I am going by a verrrry rough map, so somebody speak up if the mileage seems off.

Just an idea. >;oP”

“actually, the mileage may be off, in that it is verrrry low.

who's got the official maps?
Let's nail this thing down.
%^P”

“The details of mileage and difficulty will certainly be key to my decision, though you don't seem to be proposing an epic. More, more AmyG and those who can answer her questions.”

“I got a cramp in my calf playing touch football... I can't imagine hiking even 3 miles in a day.

The Liberty campsite on Friday was a plan for Sept.... I guess I was late in separating the threads. Of course it is still worth considering.

SirPete what kinda hikes were you thinking of??”

“oh! well, in that case...I would like to check out Lonesome lake. As Ped had mentioned it earlier on, I did some checkin' and it turns out that June is prime season for flowering orchids and carniverous pitchers, sundews, etc. Sounds like a ecological heaven...not to mention a great place for swimmin!
...but mebbe I can check it out solo Thursday or Friday prior, if the rest of you pokeys aren't so inclined. ;o)”

“oh yeah...if we do a through hike, rather than a loop, we can continue past Lafayette(see original post above) to Garfield and the twins...

Ped, no mercy! mooohahahaaaa!”

“Count me and Jeannette in! Just give me the base camp and dates and and we'll be there. Looks like the June 16 weekend is perfect. See you there!”

“Morning:

You have a number of options. One trek I was going to do earlier in the week of the 9th would be to hike into the Garfield Ridge Campsite from the Garfield Trail. Spend the night and then hike out over Garfield, Lafayette, Lincoln, and then Little Haystack. I would have a car parked at Falling Waters Trail. I can postpone my trip for that following weekend is that trek looks good.


Another option is to hike into Mt Guyot Campsite and then hike out over the Bonds and out via the Lincoln Woods Trail. Once again spotting a car(s) at the ranger station on the Kancamagus. This trek can be a tad long, but not unreasonable.


Depending how long you want to make the trip, there are a wealth of options. Ethan Pond Campsite and Nauman Tentsite are two other camping areas that offer additional trekking options.”

“I may be interested in going too, if that's okay.

My only concern is that I haven't hiked in 4 or 5 years. I do plan on taking a few hikes between now and June, but obviously not enough to whip me back into "hiking shape".”

“I was checking out another site I frequent and came upon someone's White Mountain web page. You might like his photos for they will show you where you plan on hiking in June and September. http://www.whitemountains.homestead.com/backpacking.html">click”

“Hey UK... it would be fun to walk a few miles with you aboard.

Hello Dave. I think in terms of fitness, you've gotta decide. I don't think their are any hiking snobs... there are more farts like me who hobbled away from a game of touch football yesterday. No one will exclude you... and some people are bound to be going at around your pace.

Just speaking personally, unless there is a really strong committment to hiking together I expect others to go only so far in speeding up or slowing down for me. I also try to be flexible, but there is also a limit, particularly if I have goals.”

“I just took a look at the website that MadRiver linked to, and all the pictures are taken from my website or the Mt Washington Obs, with no credit given.

If you are planning a Saturday night stay at one of the campsites, try to get out early as they fill up quickly. Guyot, Liberty Springs, and Garfield Ridge are unfortunately very popular, but it's still easy to get a good spot if you start hiking fairly early.”

“I'm sorry telemark; I just happened upon his site. I thought those photos looked familiar. Especially the one that said "Mount Washington Observatory." You might want to e-mail this guy and point out his error.”

“For those such as MadRiver proposing some additional days, that may prompt me to be more involved. I've been trying to imagine what the summer's gas prices will be for a drive to N.H. from Wisconsin, even with the shortcut through Ontario over Lake Huron. If I come that far, I'll be looking for the opportunity to extend the hiking and camping. Are Hennessey Hammocks acceptable in the Appalachian Trail culture of tent platforms?

I'm looking at an end of May trip to T. Roosevelt N.P. in southwestern N.D., which of course means being whipsawed west and east, but hey ... it's my summer off, I want to make the most of it.

Hey, DaveAnderson, welcome to the club. I think there are a number of us who will be trying to get up to "speed" by then, and I don't mean pace as much as pulse/respiration.”

“hey Pekka, I'd be skeert ta sleep in a hammock in the whites. Do you know what kind of weather they get up there?!?! EEEK! Apparently, it is not unusual to have racing winds that'll sweep ya right off the mt! (ok, that may be an exaggeration, but...)
=:0”

“Black Flies (the New Hampshire state bird) have been known to pick up hammocks, occupant and all, and carry them away!

You guys are killing me! I'd be so up for this trip but my wife is due June 9th.

Do be forewarned though, and I think telemark alluded to this earlier, as the snow was exceptional this winter, the black fly season could extend into June this year. (Not that they would stop me).”

“Well I know the weather reps of the peaks, but you'll have to clue me in on the campsite conditions. It sounds exposed. Gotta ask if I'm to findout. Just trying to figure how light one can go and get by. I know things can be unpredictable in such places.

As for black flies or other winged critters, you've got nothing on the U.P. in spring (which means end of May into June) for bugginess. Only thing I've seen worse are pictures of the tundra in summer.”

“Ped and all, I am up for just about any trip that people had in mind. I did want to travel some of the area and hts that we are going to travel in Sept so we have a good idea of milage.”

“LOL, Violin! Congrats and maybe we'll see you on the Sept Hike! :o)

Is there a preference on basecampin' vs. hiking through and shuttle and/or loop trippin'??”

“Let me clarify, as I don't want to scare anyone with the possibility of me attending this hike. :)

I'm not old, since we know "old people" are of the age of 30+. I, fortunately, am only 24, so I have 6 more years to go before I'm "old". :)

Also, I'm about 5' 10" - 11" and I weight about 160-170. I have a bit of a belly, thanks to be married to a wonderful wife who cooks for me way too much. I'm definitely not "fat", since we know all "fat" people...heh heh, won't go there.

Anyway, point is I'm smart enough to know that even though I'm 24, I'll be eating the dust of "older" people who actually exercise on a regular basis.

So, does anyone still want me to go? :)”

“Dave, you'll do fine. C'mon along. I for one see the hike as part of getting back into backpacking shape after the New England winter.”

“If we are gonna do a decent bit of trail and slack pack, then we need to either stay at a hut or have some gear pre-positioned (maybe in cars) at a stop off place.

Any proposals?

Are we sttil gonna slack pack?”

“If we are gonna do a decent bit of trail and slack pack, then we need to either stay at a hut or have some gear pre-positioned (maybe in cars) at a stop off place.

Any proposals?

Are we sttil gonna slack pack?”

“oops, I forgot that our original intent was to slackpack.

well, don't everybody all talk at once! come on, start throwin' out some ideas! smack!

;oP”

“What is "slack pack" ?”

“Slack pack is when ya hike without a full backpack...”

“hey like I said I'm gunna slack pack it. we could do what ever yous guys want to and I will still have a pack that is under 20lbs. I mean it's only gunna be 2 days. the heaviest thing I am gunna have will be my gortex shell.”

“In case you were wondering, jury duty was fun (insert sarcasm).

I'm still confused as to what everyone wants to do on the June trip. If everyone wants to stay within the Franconia/Pemigewasset Region, you have many options except one, which is to stay in a hut. Although I cannot speak with certainty, I seriously doubt you would be able to secure enough spots in a hut at this late date so campsites seem to be our only option. That being the case, you can either base camp at Lafayette campground and day hike throughout the Franconia Ridge, or you can spend your first night at Liberty Springs campsite and hike over the ridge and stay at Garfield or Guyot for the night. It all depends on how many days you have allocated to this trip. I'm open to suggestions.”

“Here's one plan for the Presidentials (with possibility of Lafayette hike the next day):

Friday: Camp at Hermit Lake, stay at Pinkham Notch or position yourself to start out at Pinkham very early on Saturday.

Saturday: Day Pack/Slack Pack from Hermit Lake up Mt. Washington (several routes available) and follow the AT north along the Presidentials. The AT itself curves widely and descends back towards Pinkham Notch. There are many alternate routes down and back to Pinkham notch, so we can hike varying distances and still all end up at Liberty Springs Campsite.

Sunday Option #1: Day baypack up to the ridge again, but head south... either returning to Liberty Springs or to pre-positioned cars on the other side of the Prsidentials.

Sunday: Option #2 day hike in the Presidentials, it would be easy to do a semi Loop by prepositioning some cars northward on I-93 and hiking from the Flume Northward to Lafayette (possibly beyond for the more adventurous).

If there is interest, I can spell out logistical details when next I have time, energy and have risen to the level of ordinary human waking conciousness (right now I'm midway between slug and human).”

“PedXing:

I'm confused about part of your itinerary, so please clarify. If I read your description correctly, you are saying you would start out on Saturday from Hermit Lake and climb Mt Washington and then camp at Liberty Springs campsite that night? If that is correct, that would be one long day!!”

“MadRiver: Oh Crap: that goes to prove my conciousness was gettin' close to slug range. I meant "Hermit Lake" not "Liberty Springs"! By staying at Hermit Lake both nights we can slack pack.

Mebbe I'll wait to find out what else I messed up and post a corrected itinerary.

Sorry!”

“That's ok. I was actually trying to figure out how I could do that hike without needing some life support along the way. Remember, I'm a middle-aged male with a few extra pounds to carry.”

“slackers!!


heheheh

I have never slack-packed, so I don't know what that's all about really, but it seems to me that for just a weekend jaunt, we could carry all, no?

Ped, kudos for putting together some semblance of an itinerary, but...hmmmmm?
What you tawkin' bout foo?!

I am so confused about just what the heck yer sayin'...
lol
;oP

One thing - the positioning of cars sounds like added complexitation, especially given the fact that this group seems to be waivering on nailing down precise meeting times.
I think it might be better just to have everybody hike their own hike, with pre-set campsite destinations...
whatcha say, Reconnors?

I better get me some real maps...
=:0”

“A couple of points:

First, Mt Washington will still probably have some snow at the higher elevations during the weekend of June 16th; especially around Tuckerman Ravine's head wall so if you plan to hike Washington be prepared for anything weather wise so Franconia might be a better choice.

Second, AmyG has a point about people showing up or not as the case may be. Past experience has taught me not to expect others to have my heightened sense of punctuality so if we have to wait for others to arrive, we might never actually do any hiking.

Third, depending how many come and their individual hiking ability, we may be spread across half the state by the end of the day so having a campsite predetermined ahead of time would be best as AmyG suggested.

Forth, before any decision is made on where to hike, it might be prudent (did I say that?) to get a head count to see exactly how many people we need to accommodate.

Fifth, if everyone is arriving Friday night, it might be difficult to secure campsites for the group so I would like to offer an alternative. I have a plot of land about 20 minutes from Franconia Notch and so you have that option to camp there Friday night therefore not worrying about securing spots. The down side is there are no "facilities" to speak of just land. It would give everyone the option of arriving whenever Friday night and then getting an early start on Saturday to wherever we decide. We can work around the no facilities issue without much problem.”

“Select a Saturday night campsite that is easily accessable and easy to find for the folks that come late.

Experience has taught me that large-scale weekenders are more about camping and day hiking than they are about serious mileage backpacking.”

“My imperfectly written proposal tried to incorporate the site issue by having both Friday and Saturday night s at Hermit Lake. With the possibility of people assembling Saturday morning at the Hermit Lake site. An 8 dollar a night fee is required.

I'm trying not to say much more until I can systematically lay out alternatives. I was just responding to people eager for details. More later.”

“Yeah Gojo thats how I remember it. I will definitely be one of those people who will be ariving late. I might take you up on that offer Madriver if you up for it. Either that our I will sleep in the back of the truck in the parking lot at Pinkham notch Friday night. I wont be getting there before midnight.
As far as plans go, I'd rather follow on this one, so plan away. You are talking to a guy that spent a month b-ping around Europe and the only plan I made was the round trip flight and the Eur-rail pass. I like to go with de flow. To many plans tend to brake before things ever really happen. But hey I'll be there with bells on!”

“8D”

“8D”

“8D”

“If you go to this site you can see that they is still a significant amount of snow still remaining on Mt. Washington.”

“Nice Site MadRiver”

“cool, Mad!

I am psyched! I wanna go NOW! NOW! NOW!
When shall we nail this route down? ...Ped? Who's with me for planning?
I have been scanning some rough maps and websites for more info/ideas. Feel free to contribute!! Anyone, anyone?
Come on guys, let's play!

Ok, I am a bit delirious...heheheh

I am sure that this has nothing to do with the fact that I have a paper due and 6 final exams coming up...
calgon, take me awayyyyyyyyyy”

“Hey, I wanna chime in here!! I like the idea of us all meeting at one spot Friday night. I think Mad River had a place 20 minutes out of Franconia Notch. We're all gonna show up at different times, so that would work. Then Saturday AM we head out. Facilities could be a problem....

We are psyched and ready to go. We'll be watching for a real itenerary, base camp location, etc... and directions to the base camp. Only thing I want to avoid is trying to figure out where we're going when we all get there. Doesn't really matter where we go, so long as we do go. It's all great!!!

The fresh air, the birds, the critters....

Happy Trails”

“I still believe with the amount of snow that we received in New Hampshire this winter, staying within the Franconia/Pemigewasst region would be best. If you stay at Hermit Lake, your only real option is to climb Mt Washington. Although Washington is a challenging hike and immensely rewarding in and of itself, you will be limited to just that climb.

By choosing the Franconia/Pemi area, you have more options. You can stay at Liberty Springs one night and hike to Garfield campsite for the following night. Or you can hike to Guyot campsite and hike over the Bonds and stay at a new campsite along the Pemigewasset River the following evening.

Another option is to stay at the Nauman tent site on Mt Pierce and then hike north to Washington. You could then if you like camp at Hermit Lake that night. Or, hike from Nauman tent site over Washington and along the great gulf trail and camp at Osgood tent site. The problem with both of these options is whether or not we will still encounter a significant amount of snow.

My offer to stay on my land Friday night still holds. If we did that, we could start early on Saturday and hike up Mt Flume and run the ridge over Liberty, Little Haystack, Lincoln, Lafayette, and Garfield and camp at Garfield campsite that night. Trust me, that would be a long and breathtaking hike. You would have the Presidentials to the north and the Pemi wilderness to the East and Cannon, Kinsman, and Moosilauke to the west.

I would need to spot a car whichever trip we choose since I have to leave on Sunday and drive 4 hours home. The only trip that would be difficult for me would be if we hiked to Osgood.

These are just some of our options; I am open to any additional suggestions.”

“One additional point. My NH house is only a half-mile from the land so bathroom and other needs can be meet without much problem. I will try to get permission from the owner of the cabin next to my land to use his facilities rather than having to go to my house. In either case, you will not be isolated from the comforts of home. Besides, we can have a big campfire Friday night.”