Baxter State Park, at Chimney Pond

[uphillklimber]

Date(s) Hiked: 2004-08-14 thru 2004-08-16

Trails(s) Hiked: Dudley, Saddle, Hamlin Ridge, Chimney Pond, Sandy Pond

Total Distance: 3.3 Saturday. 6.6 Sunday 3.3 Manday

Difficulty: Very

Conditions: Breezy, sunny, some clouds

Special Required Equipment: Common Sense, Peakbagger setup (gore tex shell, fleece, snacks, 2 litres water minimun, enthusiasim

Trip Report:

Skier75 and I headed up to Twigeater's with a very ominous weather report, compliments of a couple hurricanes. We didn't care if we could go or not, we were heading thataway for fun!

When we got to Twigeater's place, she is sweeping the floor in preparation of the gang arriving. Then she tells us that they have closed the trail and that we can not go. Dry Pond is a raging stream, armpit deep for a hundred yards or so. I am so incredulous that she has to tell me again.

Oh well, on with the lobster and clams. Shortly after we arrive, Cap'n Bobo and Lumberzac arrive. Pepsi arrives later with Twigeater's neighbor, Karen. We all have our fill of Lobster and clams. The evening fuzzes out for me as I fall asleep, but there is plenty of good times and, ahem, liqiud refreshment.

In the morning, we are weighing our options, Pepsi is considering the White Mountains, we are slowly moving, and the phone rings!!!! They have opened the trail!!! It is only waist deep and going down!!! On to Dysarts to meet up with everyone else!

Lumberzac has taken it hard from last nights frivolity, but we all eat and head on out. At the park, we load up and head up the trail. Lumberzac has to stop often, and we are all concerned for him. He came all this way, and he may not be able.... We check on him throughout the trip, Pepsi offers to take his pack, but he'd have none of that. He made it up, what a soldier!!! The stream is raging at dry Pond, but all get across dry.

At the lean tos, we find out we are the only ones there and can use the bunkhouse. No skeeters in there, so into the bunkhouse. The persied meteors that Twigeater promised appered. We all take our pads out to the field to enjoy the view. More frivolity for the night, and moose sightings!!!! He munches bushes all over, then beds down in front of the cabin. The moose was to hang around the whole trip. That night, I had to escort my bride to the outhouse. Bullwinkle is out there all the time. I nearly walk into him, half asleep. SB is freaked but I get her to the outhouse. Moosy is unconcerned about us as long as we do not bother him. Get 12 feet from him and he'll bolt.

That night, Pennsy falls out of his top bunk and lands on his butt. He klimbs right back up but is plenty sore after that.

In the morning, after eating, we have to empty the bunkhouse, in case the party who rented it shows up. Lumberzac is better and able to do it!!! Pennsy is sore but plenty able. Twigeater and Skeetah Bait head up the Saddle trail, while the rest of us go up Dudley. At Index Rock, where Pennsy and I decided not to klimb last year, Pepsi goes right up it. It is so easy, once you know how. Pennsy does the jig Twigeater requested on top. We spend a good deal of time there. It seems to be the highlight of the day.

We cross the knife edge, taking in the view all the way. Twigeater and Skier75 are waiting for us at the top. Skier75 is enjoying the view for the first time!!!!

We continue down the tablelands to Hamlim Ridge, which is a bit of a mini Knife edge and head back to Chimney Pond with bugs chasing us.....

We gather at Twigeater's leanto and we all chow on everything. Lumberzac tells us he has never even seen a moose before, and he sees this one up close and personal. It all goes downhill from here!! It doesn't get any better.

That night, the bunkhouse is again available. We take one side and Skiracer and Pennsy (on the bottom bunk) take the other side.

In the morning, After hugs and good byes, Skiracer, Sherpa and we head out, back to reality. We may rejoin the gang at the end of the week.


http://community.webshots.com/user/uphillklimber2

Some pretty good shots!

[Greg]

Great TR and pics, especially Index Rock and the friendly moose.

[dirt_girl]

Wow!! How cool was that trip?!!
Thanks!! Great report and fabulous pics too!!
From where I sit, a good time was had by all...
...except lumberzac... maybe?

[uphillklimber]

That first morning at Chimney pond, Lumberzac had recovered and was able to enjoy the park pretty well. Pennsy was fine for fun also, although he was a bit sore.

We couldn't have had a better time, and the good hiking partners were certainly a major reason everything was so fun.