Jessie and I woke up and got in the car around 7:30. Once we got up to the mountain we were stoked to see that only 5 cars were in the parking lot. This meant no lift lines, and freshies all morning... Unfortunately there was no snow on the mountain, LUCKILY we had our packs full of supplies for a few days in the woods. So we kept driving and found ourselves at the 13th Lake trail head.
To our surprise the updated map at the trail head had a lean-to @ Hour Pond, so this brightened our day that much more.
First thing on our radar was Peaked Mountain. About a half mile up the shore of 13th Lake we hit a nice dense patch of blackberries. We shook off our packs, dumped the water out of a nalgene and started picking. It didn't take long to have the bottle full, along with a few handfuls straight to ourselves for the upcoming adventure. We looked forward to munching on these once we reached the lean-to.
We got to the Junction of the Hour pond trail and headed toward Peaked mtn. The trail followed a small drainage that flowed from a few beaver dams into 13th lake.
Once we reached the first beaver dam we took off our packs and headed for the summit of the mountain.
It was a good steep ascent, with spectacular views. From the top we could see the bushwhack route we would soon be taking to reach Hour Pond to spend the night.
After an apple and granola bars we headed back down toward our packs, hoping that the clouds in the distance didn't mean rain in the approaching afternoon. On our way down we passed a beautiful Amanita Muscaria with a mystical peeper sitting on it.
Once we reached out packs we got the compass, and map out took a peak at our to be journey throw the woods and headed toward Hour pond. At first it was easy to pick up a hunting trail, but soon enough blow down and undergrowth pulled us away. It was now a legit bushwhack.
It took us 2 hours to get back in the trail. We arrived at Hour Pond tired and ready to set up camp. We got right to work because. We brushed out the dirty/dusty beautiful new lean-to and organized our gear. There was ample firewood around so getting ready for the evening was easy.
After a quick camp set-up we made our way to the lake for a quick dip in its waters. The water was beautiful and clean.
With thunder in the distance we walked back up to our camp started a fire, and stashed wood in a dry place. The evening was relaxing with a nice big fire, heavy rain and thunder. We were glad for the newly built lean-to and not a 2 person tent! We decided to stay in the lean-to the following night and just do a day trip.
On Tuesday we hiked East to the old farm clearing. Along the trail there is some great spots to hang out along the brook, once very nice cascade of water falls, pool to pool dropping about 15-20 feet.
We really didn't want to leave the special spot.
After getting to the clearing we turned around and pointed to Puffer Pond. We reached the Eastern lean-to and made lunch. The pond was vacant of humans, the birds were chirping and life was good. After some deluxe Mountain House lunches we made our way back to the lean-to for another relaxing night by the fire... Again thankful for the lean-to as the rain came down in sheets during the early evening.
On Wednesday we slept in till 9:30. We had a lazy breakfast and slowly cleaned up the site.
We were out of the woods by 1:00. We stopped at the Ski Bowl Cafe for a fresh lunch on the deck. After lunch we went over to check on the progress at the mountain.
We are both eager to get back in there. So many interesting nooks and crannies.
A thanks to Harv for pointing us in the right direction!
To our surprise the updated map at the trail head had a lean-to @ Hour Pond, so this brightened our day that much more.
First thing on our radar was Peaked Mountain. About a half mile up the shore of 13th Lake we hit a nice dense patch of blackberries. We shook off our packs, dumped the water out of a nalgene and started picking. It didn't take long to have the bottle full, along with a few handfuls straight to ourselves for the upcoming adventure. We looked forward to munching on these once we reached the lean-to.
We got to the Junction of the Hour pond trail and headed toward Peaked mtn. The trail followed a small drainage that flowed from a few beaver dams into 13th lake.
Once we reached the first beaver dam we took off our packs and headed for the summit of the mountain.
It was a good steep ascent, with spectacular views. From the top we could see the bushwhack route we would soon be taking to reach Hour Pond to spend the night.
After an apple and granola bars we headed back down toward our packs, hoping that the clouds in the distance didn't mean rain in the approaching afternoon. On our way down we passed a beautiful Amanita Muscaria with a mystical peeper sitting on it.
Once we reached out packs we got the compass, and map out took a peak at our to be journey throw the woods and headed toward Hour pond. At first it was easy to pick up a hunting trail, but soon enough blow down and undergrowth pulled us away. It was now a legit bushwhack.
It took us 2 hours to get back in the trail. We arrived at Hour Pond tired and ready to set up camp. We got right to work because. We brushed out the dirty/dusty beautiful new lean-to and organized our gear. There was ample firewood around so getting ready for the evening was easy.
After a quick camp set-up we made our way to the lake for a quick dip in its waters. The water was beautiful and clean.
With thunder in the distance we walked back up to our camp started a fire, and stashed wood in a dry place. The evening was relaxing with a nice big fire, heavy rain and thunder. We were glad for the newly built lean-to and not a 2 person tent! We decided to stay in the lean-to the following night and just do a day trip.
On Tuesday we hiked East to the old farm clearing. Along the trail there is some great spots to hang out along the brook, once very nice cascade of water falls, pool to pool dropping about 15-20 feet.
We really didn't want to leave the special spot.
After getting to the clearing we turned around and pointed to Puffer Pond. We reached the Eastern lean-to and made lunch. The pond was vacant of humans, the birds were chirping and life was good. After some deluxe Mountain House lunches we made our way back to the lean-to for another relaxing night by the fire... Again thankful for the lean-to as the rain came down in sheets during the early evening.
On Wednesday we slept in till 9:30. We had a lazy breakfast and slowly cleaned up the site.
We were out of the woods by 1:00. We stopped at the Ski Bowl Cafe for a fresh lunch on the deck. After lunch we went over to check on the progress at the mountain.
We are both eager to get back in there. So many interesting nooks and crannies.
A thanks to Harv for pointing us in the right direction!
