Oncoman
06-19-2007, 02:17 PM
Off from South Meadow at 05h30 on Truck Rd. Somewhat chilly with fog lifting from brook, but no bugs – Youpie! Was at Avalanche Lean-To by 06h30. Briefly chatted with 2 guys eating their breakfast and then calibrated my altimeter for 2600’ and took a 260° mag. bearing for 2930’ knob, reached in less than ½ hr. Woods quite open on way up knob. Then took S.W. direction for summit reached shortly before 09h00. Few mildly thick sections but overall relatively easy going with herd paths encountered intermittently along ridge. Bugs by now agressive. Fantastic & unique views of Colden slides from summit. WOW!
As pointed out by Timmus there is a 50’ abrupt drop in ridge about ¼ m. before summit. This surprised me, a true 90° ledge which forced me to contour obstacle by right (NW) until ledge was only 10’ high, then slided down by hanging to roots. On the way back contoured via SE and found gentler slope up ledge. Then briefly followed ledge of ridge to have view of Avalanche Pass, but woods much too thick so went back up ridge line in more open woods.
Was back at lean-to at 10h45 (4h05 round trip from lean-to). Much too early to call it a day, so decided to do TR as well. Met a few hikers on way to Indian Falls where I ate my lunch. Was windy on open rock slabs, so zero bugs, most enjoyable. Started my bwk at 11h45 from VH trail just across cairn identifying start of trail up Table Top. Woods a little more thick here especially after low point at col, but nonetheless was at summit 0.4 m. away in slightly less than 1 hr. Found herd path easy to follow on steep portion of hill shortly before somewhat round summit. Roamed around summit in thick stuff to convince myself that I didn’t miss any bumps.
Then decided to take a different way down by aiming for Indian Falls. Bad mistake since at edge of ridge just before abrupt drop in slope came across very thick stuff, at most ¼ mph speed. Took me close to ½ hr to fall back on my previous route. Was back on VH trail by 14h00 (2h15 round trip from trail).
Trail walk was rapid, 50 min. to return to Marcy Dam and back to parking by 15h30. Curious that I felt somewhat anoyed to encounter so many hikers on trails. With all my recent bwk kind of got used to more silent woods.
Total hiking time : 10h05
As pointed out by Timmus there is a 50’ abrupt drop in ridge about ¼ m. before summit. This surprised me, a true 90° ledge which forced me to contour obstacle by right (NW) until ledge was only 10’ high, then slided down by hanging to roots. On the way back contoured via SE and found gentler slope up ledge. Then briefly followed ledge of ridge to have view of Avalanche Pass, but woods much too thick so went back up ridge line in more open woods.
Was back at lean-to at 10h45 (4h05 round trip from lean-to). Much too early to call it a day, so decided to do TR as well. Met a few hikers on way to Indian Falls where I ate my lunch. Was windy on open rock slabs, so zero bugs, most enjoyable. Started my bwk at 11h45 from VH trail just across cairn identifying start of trail up Table Top. Woods a little more thick here especially after low point at col, but nonetheless was at summit 0.4 m. away in slightly less than 1 hr. Found herd path easy to follow on steep portion of hill shortly before somewhat round summit. Roamed around summit in thick stuff to convince myself that I didn’t miss any bumps.
Then decided to take a different way down by aiming for Indian Falls. Bad mistake since at edge of ridge just before abrupt drop in slope came across very thick stuff, at most ¼ mph speed. Took me close to ½ hr to fall back on my previous route. Was back on VH trail by 14h00 (2h15 round trip from trail).
Trail walk was rapid, 50 min. to return to Marcy Dam and back to parking by 15h30. Curious that I felt somewhat anoyed to encounter so many hikers on trails. With all my recent bwk kind of got used to more silent woods.
Total hiking time : 10h05