June 28th, 2014
Great Gulf Link Trail,Great Gulf Trail,
Gulfside Trail,
Osgood Trail,
Daniel Webster Scout Trail ~18,5 miles
It has been long time since my last hike, it's been very long. There were just too many things going on in my life, my family visiting, changing jobs, knee problems, gardening and no time for hiking.
Last weekend i almost decided to hit the trails but my body did not feel 100%, i am not sure exactly what is going on, but i spend a lot of time reassuring myself that i can do things and dont have to stay in bed past 8 am in the morning, i have that strange feeling of lack of energy every day and have to push really hard to even go for a trail run with Misha, something that I absolutely love doing!
On a Friday night i finally decided that i was going to go for my first hike and that its going to be big, worth of all the time i have already missed in the season.
It was too late to look for company and i wasnt even sure if i could find one to do what i was planning on doing.
I was considering taking Misha with me but, after all, i was thankful i didnt.
I didnt even notice 12 o'clock rolling in when i was sitting with the map next to the computer, i didnt have much time left for sleeping planning on getting up at 4 in the morning. Then i could not fall asleep, i think i managed to close my eyes around 12:30. I woke up at 3:30 waiting for the alarm to go off, i fell asleep again and was not happy hearing the sound of the phone when it finally rang.
I left the house around 4:45 after packing and preparing food and water. Later than i hoped. I was heading for Dolly Copp Campground on route 16, from where i would start the hike.
Right before i pulled into the parking lot, i saw mother moose with a baby, what an awesome view that was, i have not seen baby moose before.
I started hiking around 8:45, and hit the Great Gulf trail around 9 after walking along Great Gulf Link trail for a mile. At first i wasnt even sure i was on the right track not seeing many signs around, but after i met two hikers who assured me i was actually on Great Gulf trail i was feeling better.
I passed 11 people on my way up, one hiker was going to hike mt Jefferson through Six Husbands trail, of which i was jealous, i have been waiting to hike that trail for a while now. Other two hikers were going for Chandler Brook trail joining the auto road to watch Auto Road race that was happening that day as well. The race was the reason for the noise i heard throughout my hike, i was suppose to be the wilderness and i did not like the fact the loud motorcycle noise was reaching me from time to time.
Two older guys were there hiking the AT stretch, doing their section hiking, there were on the trail for 10 weeks now and were heading for the town to resupply.
After the crossing with Chandler Brook i have not met anybody else until Mt Washington. It was just me and my thoughts.
The trail was pleasant, with light breeze and just right temperature. Couple times i got a little bit off and had to turn around, but for most of the way it was easy to follow. Most of the trail was wet with abundant of mud. Also a lot of trail was covered with running water and i found myself slipping often. The trail traveled for most of the way near west branch of Peabody River and reminded me of Beaver Brook going up Mt Moosilauke. There were several beautiful spots with little cascades and waterfalls. I had two major slips where my feet ended up under water. Before i reached Spaulding Lake i was covered in mud, my feet were wet and i was scratched in many places. I swore a lot that day, i did not expect to let myself being not careful enough. I did not have much energy left when approached Spaulding Lake so i decided to take a short break to drink and eat.
It was very pleasant experience to be in the middle of wilderness with no other soul around, i had it all just to myself.
From there i could see my goal destination for the day.
The head wall seemed bigger that i remembered it and was pretty intimidating. I remembered from reading that there were not many cairns and markers from then on and i had to rely on my gut for the most part.
I did not expect seeing running water over there, it looked like the trail was an actual waterfall and i had to climb among wet rocks.
Right after i started i turned around and noticed the beautiful view of the presidentials. I have not seen those mountains from that angle before. It was stunning. I wished i had something more than just my cellphone to capture the beauty of that scenery.
I decided to focus on the climb after that, it was easy at first i saw 3 or 4 markers on the wet rocks and made my way up easy, but after that there was nothing there and i had to figure my way. Some spots were tricky, running water didnt help, i was trying to be extra cautious with each step, knowing that several of the rocks were not stable and each step was important. Once more i was grateful i did not bring Misha with me on that hike. Around the middle of the climb i could see some people taking pictures from above, i was wondering if they could see me.
At that point i decided to ditch the waterfall line and i went to the left. There were more loose rocks there but it seemed like it was going to be easier to climb.
I was tired, hot and hungry. I had to take short breaks every 3-4 rocks, there were just too many of them. It seemed like it would never end. Iwas wondering if i was going too much to the left and if i was gonna join any trail up top. In few areas i had to walk on the fragile alpine grass and moss,i tried to be careful and not demage the growth, i made sure to check for hidden holes between the rocks and the grass. My legs were tired, muscles were throbbing and i was running out of breath. But with slow progress i was getting closer to the edge.
When i finally emerged i saw familiar cairns not too far away from me and a lot of people going towards the summit. Nobody noticed me coming out of the hole and i made my way up to the railway silently.
From then i had much more energy and hopped on the rocks with ease.
I got to the summit to see a lot of tourists, hikers and crew all around the summit. The race must have been over because i didnt see any bikes around. I didnt have much luck with taking picture of the sign, it was crowded and i knew i didnt want to wait in the line, i run up the top quickly and touched the marker, took quick picture from the distance in between people awaiting their turns.
I did not spend much time on the summit, probably around 10 min, i knew i still had a long way ahead of me. I quickly found the right trail leading me to Mt Clay.
I passed a lot of people going in different directions, i did not meet anybody i knew, i exchanged some 'heloo's, and 'good luck's but for the most part i just was on my own. At the summit of mt Clay i met a lone hiker who asked me for information on the distances to next peaks. I said i wasnt sure myself but offered to check on the map. It turned out that he did not have a map himself, and was hiking on his own, he traveled from Connecticut the day before and slept in the car. He didnt look like an experienced hiker but as it turned out later on, he was in great shape and kept up with me, staying even well in front of me when i hit my weak points.
He was a trail runner like myself and like i he liked to hike on his own. We kept each other company till the summit of Mount Adams from where he went the other way back to his car.
The hike over the northern presidentials was really tough on me. At this point my knees hurt me a lot, i was feeling very weak and dint have much strength left in me. The distance from Washington to Jefferson was ok but after that i had to take several breaks and try and eat as much as i could. I didnt feel like eating but i knew i had to if i wanted to come back to the car safely.
At the summit of Jefferson i met the hiker i bumped into at the beginning of the hike. He just reached the summit and was planning his way back to the base where he was suppose to stay overnight. We chatted briefly and wished each other good luck.
I hit one of the low points on the way to Mt Adams, i did not feel like i had enough in me to do it, but i pushed myself and finally got to the top. I was covered in sweat everywhere, i ran out of water and knew i had to make my way to the Madison hut to refill. I said good bye to my hiking companion and went down towards Madison.
I have not hiked those summits in that direction before, going down Mt Adams seemed especially difficult. I slowed down significantly. When i finally reached the hut i was at the end of my inner strength. I refilled my water and took short break. I did not want to spend much time there being afraid i might not be able to leave.
I dont think i have ever been that tired going up mt Madison before. It was my fourth time up that mountain, and every time before it seemed like an easy walk up. But not this time, each step seemed like it was taking forever and i kept looking at the summit non stop wondering how long it was going to take me. When i finally reached it i didnt even spend much time at the top. The views were great but i was anxious to see what was awaiting me on the other side of the mountain.
I have not descended the summit from that side before. I was going to go towards Osgood Junction and from there take my left to Daniel Webster Scout trail.
What a discouragement it was for e when i saw it. There were more rocks on the way up that i imagined. The way seemed like it had no end and it was steep. There was nobody there on that side of the mountain beside one family right at the beginning of my descent.
I was not ready for that. I had absolutely no energy and my legs felt like heavy iron. My feet were tired and i felt miserable. My knees hurt badly and i even started considering if i would be able to stay on the mountain somewhere till next day. At this point i had enough water and food and clothing to survive the night, but i have never done it before and that thought was very scary to me.
I dont know where did i find the energy to get down, i am not sure how i managed to crawl down those rocks, but it took me very long time and i was extremely happy when i finally got to the flatter section.
I even managed to run parts of the wooded areas where there was less rocky.
I reached the campground around 6pm and walked fast to the car. For a little bit i was thinking of staying the night in the car because i felt very sleepy but i decided not to.
I stripped down my sweaty clothes and changed to comfy shoes.
In a 3:40 min i was pulling into my driveway being so grateful i survived that day. It was such an awesome feeling to take the shoes off and walk on the grass towards the house.
Shower never felt so good before.
I was happy and proud of myself and of the fact that i did not give up. I probably should have not taken such a long hike as my first coming back to hiking trip but i made it and i believe it made me stronger hiker.
I found more abilities in me than i expected and know now what i can tackle next.
