Jay peak, revisited (and it was kicking)

[Mavs00]

After spending Saturday (8/20) at the VFTT BBQ at Peak_bgr's house, and imbibing on WAAAAAAYYY too many beers, we changed plans for Sunday and took a nifty little ADK100 bushwhack trip up Morgan and Wilmington Peak (which may someday be a ADK100 peak) detailed -HERE- (http://www.adkhighpeaks.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=409). After that effort, we came down and had a nice "family" dinner with Spence, Maddie, Brian and the elders (Brian & Maddie's folks) and a great campfire after. That left Monday as an open day of hiking.

Through the "beer induced" haze of Saturday's party, I vaguely remembered talking to Neil and him describing his recent trip up Saddleback/Jay and his regaling me with stories of wonder about the views. I did this exact traverse in June, but our day was socked in with low clouds so we saw nothing, A brief "family discussion" determined that a trip up Jay's open ridge was in order for the day.

We arrived at the trailhead at a very reasonable 9:45 AM and were walking by 10:00 AM. WOW, I came down this route in June and I'd remembered it as reasonable. Well, going up, it was quite steep and pretty direct. The first 1.5 miles (1800') was burned through in about 1:10 hours and we soon were on the early rocks of the long and mostly open summit ridge. The next 1:30 hours were pure heaven as we headed up the next 1.5 miles into constant views and amazing vista's. We were even serenaded by 3 Peregrine falcons that had obviously nested in the cliffs nearby. They approached to with 20-30' at one point.

All to soon we reached the summit and had to turn about-face and head for home. The beauty of it was that we still had plenty of views in front of us as we descended. There were pretty low clouds (5000-5500') most of the day and periodic rain showers seen in the distance, but we never had rain and had a fair amount of sun the whole day. Words cannot describe the day as we were just strolling along and enjoying ourselves. I'm truley blessed with my family of ready made hiking partners.

An uneventful descent put us at the car at about 3:15 PM and we headed back to Peak_bgr's to pick up our stuff and head home. What an amazing hike. It's not easy and feels WAY longer than the 6 miles (2300') it is, but the effort is really worth it. I can't believe we were so dumb to have done it on a "bad day" the first time.

I was able to get some "killer photos" and have them posted in my -GALLERY- (http://www.adkhighpeaks.com/46er-flash/gallery.htm). In the meantime, here's a taste -

http://www.adkhighpeaks.com/albums/jay/DCP_5029.sized.jpg

[Antlerpeak]

Mavs nice pics but I did not see one of that interesting rock scramble. Did you guys encounter the high rock with the verticle crack? When I climbed it mid 90's to gain the ridge on Jay there was this high rock one had to negotiate. Had a crack in it like a mini dike. We used the "old" herd path along the edge of the field where you had to get permission to cross the field from the people who owned it. The trail, more of a trail than anything else went through Merriam Swamp. Just curious if you saw this or not. I'll look for the pic, it's in one of my slide trays.

Ok I found it here is the pick of that crack I asked about.

http://www.geocities.com/slr74/jay01.jpg

[Mavs00]

No, that’s the old trail…………….

About 10 years ago (mid to late 90’s), they (??) rerouted the trail away from Merriam Swanp due to concerns from the property owners. The new trail (unmarked) leaves from about 20-30 yds past the road junction ( -X marks the spot- (http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?z=18&n=4907646&e=602079&s=50&size=l&datum= nad83&layer=DRG25) ) and pretty much heads due west up past the bump and continues west til it hits the open rocks of the ridge at about 990 meters. It then follows the ridge (mostly in the open) all the way up to the summit.

You can see Merriam Swamp, but you do not go near it.

[Antlerpeak]

I knew they did that but I did not recall where this rock was. If it were on the old trail or if it was above it. But that spot was a lot of fun. I was asking if you were aware of it. I take it you are.

You can understand their concerns, it must have been a pain having all those hikers crossing their field. You have to admit a gem like this will attract a crown. One of the reasons the ADK agonized about even putting a mention of the Jays in the older guide books. Prior to 90 you had to know where it was. Just before they did the closing the ADK did reference it vaguely and the crowds grew. We did it about a year before the closing.

[Mavs00]

I knew they did that but I did not recall where this rock was. If it were on the old trail or if it was above it. But that spot was a lot of fun. I was asking if you were aware of it. I take it you are.

Actually, I wasn't aware of it. But I agree with you, it looks pretty cool. Actually, many of the maps still show the old trail, and you'd be supprised at how many probably do not know of the change.

There are actually a few trail like this that I've found. in the area. It shows a trail, but the trail no longer is there (formally anyway).