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I am proud to say we have finally finished the High Falls Loop. We've already set out on two separate occasions to do this one, but always had to turn back. Not this time...
We started on Friday, rather late (3:30 pm) up the west side of the trail. Conditions were superb, not near as wet as I had expected (of course, that would come later). Around 4:30, out came the headlamps as it was getting dark. Closer to 5:30, we arrived at High Rock and set up camp. This is a wonderful campsite.
In the middle of the night, I was getting cold so I decided it was time to see a man about a horse. The sky was brilliant, lit with millions of stars and next to no moon. You could even see the milky way and Orion's shield. Absolutely fantastic show!
The scenery the morning light revealed on Saturday was just fantastic. It was even slightly sunny. I enjoyed coffee and oatmeal looking out on the river while Sleeping Beauty continued his slumber in our tent. Around 9, I turned into Mom again and we hit the trail closer to 10. By now, the thunder passed north-west of us but the sky was rather overcast. Half an our later, the heavens opened up, so a quick stop to cover up and off we were again. This section of the trail had a bit more blowdown, so we slowed down a bit to clear what we could out of the way. The water in the beaver ponds was rather high, and the river rather low as we stopped at campsite 28? for a snack. I found this route rather charming.
Side note here: does anyone have any info on that truck at the split for Five Ponds? It was rather cool.
Early in the afternoon, we arrived at High Falls. Given the rain, it was still coming down, we quickly decided not to attempt Glasby Pond and just bunk down in the leantoo. (thanks to whomever built the table, most helpful!) I made up our supper, spicy Thai Green Curry, which we enjoyed listening to the pitter-patter of the rain on the roof. By now you could see the humidity hanging in the air. The rest of the afternoon was quiet and when no one else had showed up by 4:30 we tarped off the front of the leantoo to keep it warm. We played cards for a while and nodded off early.
We must have been tired because we didn't wake until 9 on Sunday. After a quick breakfast, we explored the falls then hit the trail. That machine (a pully?) was an interesting find. Thanks to whomever mentionned it.
The blowdown from the microburst was impressive. All those downed trees and the news ones so small. Then the trail turned WET. I'm glad I had rainboots, but kind of wished I had brought a scuba suit. Found an underarmour? shirt near one of the beaver ponds. If it's yours, please let me know. Further up, the water was cascading down the side of the hill. An impressive sight. I'll post pictures when I can. The trail turned into a creek for a while but was much better once we hit the turnoff for Glasby Pond. At that point, we enjoyed bacon wraps for lunch and decided to skip Jannacks and head home early. At this point, we had a pretty good idea of what to expect, except for my "better" half dropping my new Nalgene in Cranberry Lake at one of the campsites while trying to pump water. At least the view was cool; smoke from at least four camps painting the panorama.
Finally hit the trailhead around 4:30. Quick change of clothing and off home. Thanks Glen for the recommendations for food. I don't think I've eaten that much Chinese food at one sitting before.
We started on Friday, rather late (3:30 pm) up the west side of the trail. Conditions were superb, not near as wet as I had expected (of course, that would come later). Around 4:30, out came the headlamps as it was getting dark. Closer to 5:30, we arrived at High Rock and set up camp. This is a wonderful campsite.
In the middle of the night, I was getting cold so I decided it was time to see a man about a horse. The sky was brilliant, lit with millions of stars and next to no moon. You could even see the milky way and Orion's shield. Absolutely fantastic show!
The scenery the morning light revealed on Saturday was just fantastic. It was even slightly sunny. I enjoyed coffee and oatmeal looking out on the river while Sleeping Beauty continued his slumber in our tent. Around 9, I turned into Mom again and we hit the trail closer to 10. By now, the thunder passed north-west of us but the sky was rather overcast. Half an our later, the heavens opened up, so a quick stop to cover up and off we were again. This section of the trail had a bit more blowdown, so we slowed down a bit to clear what we could out of the way. The water in the beaver ponds was rather high, and the river rather low as we stopped at campsite 28? for a snack. I found this route rather charming.
Side note here: does anyone have any info on that truck at the split for Five Ponds? It was rather cool.
Early in the afternoon, we arrived at High Falls. Given the rain, it was still coming down, we quickly decided not to attempt Glasby Pond and just bunk down in the leantoo. (thanks to whomever built the table, most helpful!) I made up our supper, spicy Thai Green Curry, which we enjoyed listening to the pitter-patter of the rain on the roof. By now you could see the humidity hanging in the air. The rest of the afternoon was quiet and when no one else had showed up by 4:30 we tarped off the front of the leantoo to keep it warm. We played cards for a while and nodded off early.
We must have been tired because we didn't wake until 9 on Sunday. After a quick breakfast, we explored the falls then hit the trail. That machine (a pully?) was an interesting find. Thanks to whomever mentionned it.
The blowdown from the microburst was impressive. All those downed trees and the news ones so small. Then the trail turned WET. I'm glad I had rainboots, but kind of wished I had brought a scuba suit. Found an underarmour? shirt near one of the beaver ponds. If it's yours, please let me know. Further up, the water was cascading down the side of the hill. An impressive sight. I'll post pictures when I can. The trail turned into a creek for a while but was much better once we hit the turnoff for Glasby Pond. At that point, we enjoyed bacon wraps for lunch and decided to skip Jannacks and head home early. At this point, we had a pretty good idea of what to expect, except for my "better" half dropping my new Nalgene in Cranberry Lake at one of the campsites while trying to pump water. At least the view was cool; smoke from at least four camps painting the panorama.
Finally hit the trailhead around 4:30. Quick change of clothing and off home. Thanks Glen for the recommendations for food. I don't think I've eaten that much Chinese food at one sitting before.
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