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After breakfast at Potters in Warrensburg(GREAT cornedbeef hash) and getting lost in the backroads of Thurman...or was is Glen, or was it Athol...well anyway we didn't get to the trailhead untill almost noon.
It was a beautiful day, well into the 70's, when I, my brother, his friend John and Gerard set off. This was my brother's first hike of the year and the first mountain hike for John who's hiking experience is limited to some touristy stuff around the Grand Canyon. After talking to some hikers who were already on their way out, we decided to head to the summit first. The trail starts out steep and rocky, not what my brother or his friend were expecting. I think they were both surprised by the effort that it took. The trail was mostly dry except where it ran along and sometime in a stream bed. There were also areas of slick bare rock over which water ran.(I wonder if this is a spring phenomenon or a year round occurence.) Less than halfway up we took an extended break on a rocky spot with good views and soaked up the sun.
As we neared the top we encountered two ladders, the first a short one. The second one was a bit more of a challenge. My brother and John ascended the ladder while I decided to scramble up the steep rocks. When it came to Gerards turn he faltered and even started to whimper when we couldn't come to my calls. I then decided to stay with him while my brother and John hiked on to the summit and they would return to watch Gerard as I took my turn for the top. After about 15 minutes John returned to watch Gerard and I joined my brother on the summit. My brother ate lunch while I explored and took some pics. After about 10 minutes I decided I should return to my dog. Just then I heard the jingle of dog tags and there he was!! After not seeing me for what to him must've been a long while Gerard made it up the steep, rocky pitch!! I was so proud of him i gave him my PB&J sandwich. We were unable to do the complete loop because of thick ice still coating the trail on the other side of the mountain.The four of us then headed down the way we came up. It took some coaxing but Gerard made it down the steep part unassisted.
After the summit we hiked on to Crane Mountain Pond. The trail to the pond still had a significant amount of snow and ice on it. The pond was still partially frozen. A canoe was on the open part and some anglers fished. They reported no luck bu i envied the peace they must've experienced out on the beautiful pond. After a brief conversation with a friendly couple on shore we started the hike out. The way down from the pond was quite steep and I was amazed that someone had lugged a Radison canoe up to the pond. We searched but were unable to find the cave. The natural bridge was pretty cool to see. The rest of the way out was a pretty wide cross country ski trail which I would like to revisit in the winter.
Overall a very fun hike. Although it is what some would consider a "small" mountain, parts of the climb were strenuous and the views were spectacular most of the way up. I would consider it one of my favorite "smaller mountain"
It was a beautiful day, well into the 70's, when I, my brother, his friend John and Gerard set off. This was my brother's first hike of the year and the first mountain hike for John who's hiking experience is limited to some touristy stuff around the Grand Canyon. After talking to some hikers who were already on their way out, we decided to head to the summit first. The trail starts out steep and rocky, not what my brother or his friend were expecting. I think they were both surprised by the effort that it took. The trail was mostly dry except where it ran along and sometime in a stream bed. There were also areas of slick bare rock over which water ran.(I wonder if this is a spring phenomenon or a year round occurence.) Less than halfway up we took an extended break on a rocky spot with good views and soaked up the sun.
As we neared the top we encountered two ladders, the first a short one. The second one was a bit more of a challenge. My brother and John ascended the ladder while I decided to scramble up the steep rocks. When it came to Gerards turn he faltered and even started to whimper when we couldn't come to my calls. I then decided to stay with him while my brother and John hiked on to the summit and they would return to watch Gerard as I took my turn for the top. After about 15 minutes John returned to watch Gerard and I joined my brother on the summit. My brother ate lunch while I explored and took some pics. After about 10 minutes I decided I should return to my dog. Just then I heard the jingle of dog tags and there he was!! After not seeing me for what to him must've been a long while Gerard made it up the steep, rocky pitch!! I was so proud of him i gave him my PB&J sandwich. We were unable to do the complete loop because of thick ice still coating the trail on the other side of the mountain.The four of us then headed down the way we came up. It took some coaxing but Gerard made it down the steep part unassisted.
After the summit we hiked on to Crane Mountain Pond. The trail to the pond still had a significant amount of snow and ice on it. The pond was still partially frozen. A canoe was on the open part and some anglers fished. They reported no luck bu i envied the peace they must've experienced out on the beautiful pond. After a brief conversation with a friendly couple on shore we started the hike out. The way down from the pond was quite steep and I was amazed that someone had lugged a Radison canoe up to the pond. We searched but were unable to find the cave. The natural bridge was pretty cool to see. The rest of the way out was a pretty wide cross country ski trail which I would like to revisit in the winter.
Overall a very fun hike. Although it is what some would consider a "small" mountain, parts of the climb were strenuous and the views were spectacular most of the way up. I would consider it one of my favorite "smaller mountain"
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