Doubletop and Big Indian

[billandjudy]

Judy and I had planned this trip last week. When we saw Jay's TR from last weekend we wondered if we should do something different--we didn't want to be copycats:).... We went ahead and did it anyway...Thanks Mudhook for the 411---Our last trip to DT was from the Biscuit Brook Route--a looong walk.... this was so much nicer. Following the ridge up from the Dry Brook/ Flatiron Brook it is mostly open woods w/ a very distinct old road/path to follow for a ways. We found a great lookout rock just short of the summit w/ views to the north. We signed in--saw Jay and Alan's group from last week and saw that we had missed Mudhook by a day--(our paths keep crossing:) ) We came down through the steeps and cliffs towards the col. It's a pretty easy walk over to Big Indian once you clear the cliffs--they are spectacular in spots. We always seem to have a problem w/ BI. We've been there 3 times and each time was an adventure finding the summit. Once again we took the scenic route. Signed in and took off back to the truck, finishing at 7 hours on the dot, a little more than 10 miles. It's much too warm for December, but still beats sitting home.
http://outdoors.webshots.com/album/556473945ZBwxeX

[mudhook]

If I knew you were coming, I would have waited and we could have done brunch, the weather was that nice. RS and I did a loop up Graham and over to DT and out to the FlatIron . Lots and lots of view points, which was evident by our rapid pace of more than 7 hours for just a bit over 6 miles.

[Snickers]

Hey Mudhook,

7 hours and six miles sounds like my kind of hike.

[mountainmeijin]

Forgive my ignorance, but I've heard that some of the land around Flatiron Brook is on private property. I've been considering hiking Graham and Doubletop by following Flatiron Brook and taking a line to the col. Does anyone know about where in that area permission is required to hike?

[Jay H]

Nothing that isn't the standard for Doubletop/Graham. It's part of the "Furlow Property" who has a bunch(?) of residences on Dry Brook Road on the way to the Seager trailhead. Right when you cross flatiron Brook and get to the bridge, there is a dirt road with a chain across it saying Flat Iron Camp. Could be a hunting camp as there is road access from the bridge across the trail and evidence of ATV use on the Seager trail itself west of the brook towards the leanto.

So, there's no issue with hiking the marked DEC trail from Seager, but the usual disclaimer about Double Top applies should you wish to call and pester the caretaker, Shultz.

Jay