Grubby Kid
08-27-2007, 01:23 PM
What a day. Seems like a new experience every time. This one not so good...I'll explain.
Anyhow, arrived at the Loj and was on the trail by 6:30. Skies were not very inviting but still headed out to make the best of it. Was not gonna let a "little" rain put a damper on things. Was psyched about honoring Grace even though I never had the chance to meet her. I had just read awesome stories about her.
My hiking buddy and I headed down towards Marcy Dam. Took in the sights of Colden, what we could see of it that is, and then continued on our way. Very, very wet going. Slippery roots, rocks, etc. you know the deal but still very pumped for the hike.
After passing Lake Arnold there is a bog you come to. We totally lost the trail here as most of it is underwater. After some jockeying around we finally made it through this section and continued on our way. We finally made it to Lake Tear only to walk right past the itty bitty cairn that is suppose to indicate where the trail to Gray is. We did realize our mistake and had to back track, just a bit, and headed up to Gray. Needless to say when we arrived at the Gray summit 5 hours from when we had started, yup, 5 hours, it was rainy, somewhat windy, and absolutely no view.
Then it dawned on us that the rain must of been tears of joy from Grace, being so happy that so many of us turned out to honor her. We took pictures, gave Grace a big smile and just after noon we headed back down to bag another peak.
We then headed towards Skylight carrying our rocks as to make sure it wouldn't rain on us. Some kind of superstitious thingy I hear. Ya, right, a little late for that. Who had Skylight anyways? Did you forget to bring your rock up with you?:) We hit the summit, tossed our rocks onto the pile, took a few pics, of what? mostly clouds, then decided to head on down. We were already pretty well drenched from head to toe as when going up Gray, it is very dense going.
After coming down Skylight we decided not to do Marcy because of the weather. We then headed out the way we came in.
Here is were the bad experience of the day comes in. I knew the Lake Arnold junction was coming up but had to make a pit stop. My buddy decides to keep going and I would catch up to him. Well.....I get back on the trail and less then 100' from where I had stopped is the trial junction for Lake Arnold. Yet, no hiking buddy. Egads! Which way did he go? I knew we had to turn right here but didn't know if my buddy, who hasn't hiked much, had seen the sign. What to do, what to do? I then started hollering at the top of my lungs for him....nothing. I decided to go the "right" way and head back towards Lake Arnold hollering about every 20' or so. Still nothing. I then run into 2 Canadian/french guys and ask them if they just past a guy on the trail, etc. They said yes. Phew, I was slightly relieved to hear that maybe my friend did take the right trail. Well, I continued on hollering all the way and still no answer. I then came to this "bog" area which I'll admit made me a little nervous. I had to calm myself down not knowing where my friend was and not knowing where the trail was. Anyhow, after scrutinizing the area I was able to jump from plank to plank, which were somewhat submerged in the water, and then I picked up the trail again. Phew. Realizing that those guys I met on the trail probably didn't understand me, I then broke out my whistle seeing I still heard or saw nothing of my friend. Whistle didn't work either as I still heard nothing after blowing it. I then decided to get myself out of the woods and if I had to, I would send a ranger back to get my friend. I gave one last holler while I was crossing a bridge and one last shot on my whistle only to finally hear a yell from way back yonder. I was relieved that he had realized his mistake and was trying to catch back up to me. Needless to say I had to backtrack to go back and get him. When I finally saw him coming up the trail, I had some pretty choice words for him! Yup, ripped him a good one. He said he had his head down and never noticed the junction. Geesh! I was upset yet relieved. We still had quite a hike ahead of us to get out. By the time we were almost out though we were both laughing about the ordeal. I told him it's good that we're both laughing about it rather than having to read about it in the newspapers.
We arrived back at Marcy Dam only to finally see a little glimpse of the sun. Nice timing...NOT!
All in all, not the best hiking day, mainly because of the weather, but I wouldn't of passed it up for Grace anyways.;) It was all for Grace and I was humbled to be able to be a part of this memorial to her.
Anyhow, arrived at the Loj and was on the trail by 6:30. Skies were not very inviting but still headed out to make the best of it. Was not gonna let a "little" rain put a damper on things. Was psyched about honoring Grace even though I never had the chance to meet her. I had just read awesome stories about her.
My hiking buddy and I headed down towards Marcy Dam. Took in the sights of Colden, what we could see of it that is, and then continued on our way. Very, very wet going. Slippery roots, rocks, etc. you know the deal but still very pumped for the hike.
After passing Lake Arnold there is a bog you come to. We totally lost the trail here as most of it is underwater. After some jockeying around we finally made it through this section and continued on our way. We finally made it to Lake Tear only to walk right past the itty bitty cairn that is suppose to indicate where the trail to Gray is. We did realize our mistake and had to back track, just a bit, and headed up to Gray. Needless to say when we arrived at the Gray summit 5 hours from when we had started, yup, 5 hours, it was rainy, somewhat windy, and absolutely no view.
Then it dawned on us that the rain must of been tears of joy from Grace, being so happy that so many of us turned out to honor her. We took pictures, gave Grace a big smile and just after noon we headed back down to bag another peak.
We then headed towards Skylight carrying our rocks as to make sure it wouldn't rain on us. Some kind of superstitious thingy I hear. Ya, right, a little late for that. Who had Skylight anyways? Did you forget to bring your rock up with you?:) We hit the summit, tossed our rocks onto the pile, took a few pics, of what? mostly clouds, then decided to head on down. We were already pretty well drenched from head to toe as when going up Gray, it is very dense going.
After coming down Skylight we decided not to do Marcy because of the weather. We then headed out the way we came in.
Here is were the bad experience of the day comes in. I knew the Lake Arnold junction was coming up but had to make a pit stop. My buddy decides to keep going and I would catch up to him. Well.....I get back on the trail and less then 100' from where I had stopped is the trial junction for Lake Arnold. Yet, no hiking buddy. Egads! Which way did he go? I knew we had to turn right here but didn't know if my buddy, who hasn't hiked much, had seen the sign. What to do, what to do? I then started hollering at the top of my lungs for him....nothing. I decided to go the "right" way and head back towards Lake Arnold hollering about every 20' or so. Still nothing. I then run into 2 Canadian/french guys and ask them if they just past a guy on the trail, etc. They said yes. Phew, I was slightly relieved to hear that maybe my friend did take the right trail. Well, I continued on hollering all the way and still no answer. I then came to this "bog" area which I'll admit made me a little nervous. I had to calm myself down not knowing where my friend was and not knowing where the trail was. Anyhow, after scrutinizing the area I was able to jump from plank to plank, which were somewhat submerged in the water, and then I picked up the trail again. Phew. Realizing that those guys I met on the trail probably didn't understand me, I then broke out my whistle seeing I still heard or saw nothing of my friend. Whistle didn't work either as I still heard nothing after blowing it. I then decided to get myself out of the woods and if I had to, I would send a ranger back to get my friend. I gave one last holler while I was crossing a bridge and one last shot on my whistle only to finally hear a yell from way back yonder. I was relieved that he had realized his mistake and was trying to catch back up to me. Needless to say I had to backtrack to go back and get him. When I finally saw him coming up the trail, I had some pretty choice words for him! Yup, ripped him a good one. He said he had his head down and never noticed the junction. Geesh! I was upset yet relieved. We still had quite a hike ahead of us to get out. By the time we were almost out though we were both laughing about the ordeal. I told him it's good that we're both laughing about it rather than having to read about it in the newspapers.
We arrived back at Marcy Dam only to finally see a little glimpse of the sun. Nice timing...NOT!
All in all, not the best hiking day, mainly because of the weather, but I wouldn't of passed it up for Grace anyways.;) It was all for Grace and I was humbled to be able to be a part of this memorial to her.