Knob Lock — 3/22/12

[Gregory Karl]

Every few years I climb this beauty with a strange name. Why? For the 360° views, ascent up an open ridge, and because one always has it to oneself.

Route:
From the North Giant Trail I side-sloped up to the E ridge, followed it to the open ledges at 2,900 feet, then down into the trough below the summit block, and finally, 500 feet up the summit block to the bald summit (~3,200 feet). I spent some time exploring the knobs and ledges to the south of the summit, then returned via the drainage running at 60° between the summit block and east ridge. The trip took about 4.5 hours.

One unfortunate note: I lost my hat! So, anyone finding a wide-brimmed, black, Outdoor Research hat somewhere on the Knob Lock Ridge will earn my undying gratitude by contacting me. Somehow, I suspect this story will not have one of those phenomenally fast happy endings we have grown used to on this forum. Alas!

In case you've never seen the views from Knob Lock, here are some pics:

https://picasaweb.google.com/curugroth/KnobLock12

[Neil]

Knob Lock = garlic in a germanic tongue. (I think).

the garlic das Knoblauch

Elizabethtown #1 = Knob Lock
Elizabethtown #2 = Iron Mountain
Elizabethtown #3 = Bald Peak
Elizabethtown #4 = Etown 4

[Gregory Karl]

Originally Posted by Neil

Knob Lock = garlic in a germanic tongue. (I think).

the garlic das Knoblauch

Elizabethtown #1 = Knob Lock
Elizabethtown #2 = Iron Mountain
Elizabethtown #3 = Bald Peak
Elizabethtown #4 = Etown 4

I made the garlic connection some time back and ran it by my friend Hanns. He thought it unlikely, pointing out that Knoblauch (with spelling variants) is a fairly common Germanic surname. He suggested that the mountain might have been named after someone of German extraction, the name subsequently garbled. I said this sounds just as unlikely and posited that it was named Knoblauch by someone of German extraction who recognized that the peak is shaped exactly like a clove of garlic. Then the name got garbled by English speakers. That's my explanation!

[RTSpoons]

As usual, an adventure to a little visited place. You have a knack for finding open rock. You also do such a good job of identifing lesser know mountains, Tripod?

[Neil]

Greg, did you start out due south then curve SW and go up the NE ridge?

Do you know how long it took you to get to the summit from the highway?

[Gregory Karl]

Originally Posted by Neil

Greg, did you start out due south then curve SW and go up the NE ridge?

Do you know how long it took you to get to the summit from the highway?

I actually ascended the E ridge, not the NE one because there is more open rock that way. (I have used part of the NE ridge as a return route.) Specifically, I turned SW after ten minutes or less on the trail and went straight for the E head of the E ridge. I got to the summit in 2'15"—I think. The fastest (and most scenic) way seems to be to stick to the open rock on the S side of the ridge, even when one must give up a little elevation to do so. I sometimes made the mistake of straying into the spruce instead. Anyway, it's almost like slide climbing much of the time.

Ron:
Well, Tripod isn't so exciting to climb—very limited views which are hard to find. But since it is in my neighborhood . . .

[Neil]

Was there any snow? (Doesn't look like it from your pics.) I'm going to traverse to Hopkins from KL and was wondering about carrying snowshoes.

[Raymond]

Maybe the mountain once hit Keith Olbermann’s mother in the face.

[Gregory Karl]

Originally Posted by Neil

Was there any snow? (Doesn't look like it from your pics.) I'm going to traverse to Hopkins from KL and was wondering about carrying snowshoes.

Absolutely devoid of snow up to 3,200 feet, so you are unlikely to hit any on the way to Hopkins. There was virtually no mud either, for that matter.

I have thought about that traverse as well. I have no idea what it is like in there. The closest I have been is the whole Slide Brook drainage starting on the W shoulder of Green. The trough between the W shoulder and Green had the most horrendously dense thickets and blowdown I have ever seen. So are you planning something like a straight-line course past the bottom of Tripod?

So when is this adventure taking place?

[Inge]

Hey Greg!! Knob Lock has been on my list for a long time. Great route! Sorry I didn't see your hat, but I think I saw your foot prints up on the ridge. It took me a bit longer to summit, so I took the short way down to rt 9N. Great loop!

[Gregory Karl]

Originally Posted by Inge

Hey Greg!! Knob Lock has been on my list for a long time. Great route! Sorry I didn't see your hat, but I think I saw your foot prints up on the ridge. It took me a bit longer to summit, so I took the short way down to rt 9N. Great loop!

Inge!
That one is right in your backyard, huh?. Had I known you were "inclined to climb" it I would have waited—maybe, I guess.

[Neil]

Originally Posted by Inge

Hey Greg!! Knob Lock has been on my list for a long time. Great route! Sorry I didn't see your hat, but I think I saw your foot prints up on the ridge. It took me a bit longer to summit, so I took the short way down to rt 9N. Great loop!

Maybe those were my footprints. I also saw Greg's. I picked his hat up off the ridge but I don't think he believes me.

[Inge]

Originally Posted by Neil

Maybe those were my footprints. I also saw Greg's. I picked his hat up off the ridge but I don't think he believes me.

Looks like it was Garlic Mt Fest weekend! I have one of those hats that I never use if you need one - hahah! That is cool if you really found it.