Mount Bear Oct 19 (Return of the Doot)

A last minute invite from friends brought me back to Mount Bear, with some of my favorite people in the world. 12 miles hike planned. We started much like before, up the AT which would lead us to Bear Summit.
I was way overdressed in the start, having double layers and a hoodie on, and we moved at a fairly fast speed (Yet still slow enough to enjoy our surroundings) The mud and muck from the spring was completely gone mostly was fallen leaves and a nice hard surface. From trail start to the first AT sign I remember last time being covered in sweat and feeling it. This time not so much. We stopped at log bench one, I got out of my layers and moved forward to the actual AT marker point, and took our first break. We had several hut hikers pass us and had a fast snack. This sunday we saw alot of people on the trail compared to last time.

AT Trail to Bear Tarik and Ian discuss how big my muscles are.

From the sign, we really moved fairly fast up the paths to the rocks, again other than the mini falls, zero water or mud on the trails. In fact I think this sped up our movement as we had little to avoid. I make a note here to say when we got to the summit it felt like we were there super fast, and I had no tiredness or even fatigue. Plus when I'm with these three, I enjoy the adventure more and more, I laugh more, hear silly stories and feel comfortable enough to say whatever stupid things in the world that pop into my head. I know I've said it a million times but the right people make this even more enjoyable than normal (Thanks Ian,Tarik and Jessy love you guys) Ok, Back to the trails, the summit was full of lots of people, so we found a small nitch off to it, had our lunch and Ian showed us some really cool places about CT/MA hut crossings. Learning new things every trip, one day I will share it with others who are out there. We decided to add on two extra miles and do Sage's Ravine which is the crossing from CT into MA. So we headed down the steep slope towards Sage's. This is the only part of Bear I ever worry about not cause its hard but cause its alot of loose rock. But again, no trouble, no mud, no water, we cruised right through.
 Sage's Ravine, please if you are out on Bear go down this trail, you will thank me for it. This creek starts out tiny and crystal clear, and grows. Side small creeks feed into it, and it becomes some really amazing water falls. We moved passed alot of amazing rock formations, where you could easily hide bears, wendigo's and ninja's, small little caves, hollow ground and other neat things. Yes, I could show you all sorts of pictures but for this section you need to experience yourself. You will thank me for it.

Jessy and Tarik crossing logs over the river.

As you move further down the ravine, you will notice all sorts of dual and tri staged water falls, some with rushing water, some that trickle over the side. For the most part you can climb onto rock and look over them, look down into the ravines and see how the water has rounded the rocks into various shapes. Water will change the surface of anything as well as its size. There are alot of amazing pools that you can see are smooth as marble. This section will lead you to the CT/Ma border. We moved onwards passed the campgrounds heading to mass. About a mile into it, you will reach the border, you will cross a small rock section and see two signs.

One side of AT CT

Across the River in Mass AT

We had a small snack break here, signed into the AT trail box, shared a good laugh, and a drink. I think at this point all of us agreed, wish we could be out here more and more, and less and less work. We packed up, and headed out of Ma, back into CT to make our last 3 mile descent. I had noticed the bog on the right side of the trail had gone down alot, and the frogs last time were tadpoles, giant now. We were moving fairly good and spirits were high, as we made our way back the last 1/4 mile or so we decided to run/hike fast, we all crossed the ending together like a team. And amazing sunday to say the least.

Bear Summit, to the left are the huts on Mass side.

Sage's Ravine falls

Mount Eisenhower Oct 13th

A late start leaving the cape at 7 am, we got lost a bit on the way, ended up asking the AMC shop better directions, found the right road and down we went. Edmand's Path is the trail we decided to take early this week since it had a direct loop to Eisenhower and Pierce. Edmands, is really nice and easy, alot of things to look at. This first entire section is mostly gravel and leaves with several plank bridges over small creeks. Not a giant incline but a nice relaxing pace, of course I lagged behind to take lots of picture well my fellow hikers waited up on me several times.

Most of the entire lower part is like this.

 

 

 

 

 

As you begin to get higher, you start to get more rock trails, found on most of the White Mountains, nothing very stressful on the knees. I did notice these rocks were not as slippery as previous hikes I have done before, even if they were covered in water. I really enjoyed this climb as I walked with two girls who were from florida, they had done the Notch the day before, we traded stories as we walked, they were intrested in my Black Diamond poles, really nice people. As we got to the higher mid section were the water fall was, they waved farewall and headed back towards the bottom. They were tired from the day before. After catching up with my fellow cape hikers, we passed many different people all so friendly "A hello, amazing day out, enjoy the summit." And people wonder why I fell in love with hiking, this type of vibe is exactly what I need. Mid way you can start to see over all of NH, and some amazing views of the surrounding peaks.

About mid way up, hanging off a tree.

From the mini water fall to the summit base is about a mile left, its a nice rock climb, where the mountain lets out everything built up, surprisingly these were not slippery either, and you can see the end of the trees getting shorter and shorter. This trail goes around a bend to the bottom base. You can take a left to Pierce, or a right up to Eisenhower peak. We took the Peak trail  here, and on the bottom we met some really nice ladies who were repairing the trail, I stopped to talk to them for a few, they had adopted this section of the trail. I asked to take a picture of them, thanked them for helping keeping the very trails I was walking on safe for all the people who use them. Super friendly I wish I got there names to thank them better in this blog.

AMC fixing up the trails. Thank you.

Finally the last stretch to the peak, not bad, lots of wooden stairs, and what really feels like walking on beach sand. On the top is a rare red moss, and the summit peak has no markings, just a carine up to show, yes you were here. We sat down had a nice lunch, shared a victory beer, and enjoyed the amazing view. This being so late in the day we walked to the bottom where the path to Pierce is, discussed time, and not having a real trail map, said we can come back another day for Pierce. Overall the views on the top are so worth going, and the company I had made the day. I would say if you get the chance this is a nice one day hike 7 miles, take it if you get the chance.

Summit looking down, countless miles.

                                      And the crew for this hike all from the Cape area.

Paul-AJ-Dan-Andy-Me-Brinny with Chloe on four paws.