Failed Spruceton Loop Hike, again

mudhook · 07-21-2012, 08:30 PM

I figured that if I went with Doodles, on a crisp cool, not too humid morning, starting the loop up Rusk first, getting the climb out of the way( also the nettles and rain pants that go with them), we should be able to make a successful hike and day out of this. Wrong again! we wacked up to Rusk using the principal of up, wandering on and off the various herd paths, pushing thru ledges, briars, nettles and finally some scattered spruce on top, finding the can right where I left it. It was a real shock seeing some of the names in there.

Off to East Rusk, which doesn't count to most, but is a great peak on its own. Now using the principal of circumnavigation, we headed downlike, missing the col, ending up(down) more towards West Hunter, enabling us to gain some more up and milage. Things were looking good. Quick trip up, a stop at the horsy spring which is running slowly, but cold and painfully refreshing, and we were too soon at the tower, meeting Left Right Left on the porch, a long lunch, the caretaker showed up and opened the tower, a longer talk with a family reunion bunch(7-70 in ages)whose great great great grandfather was an observer and builder of and in the orginal tower. we chatted with all kinds and sizes of people, the day looking better and better. Down the longest mile from the Becker Hlw junction to the Devils Acre , spring is running there also. At the start of the rail bed things started to turn for the worse: we dropped packs, and on the professionaly cut and maintained railbed, made quick work of the trip over and back. A few stops for eating nettles and to chat with a blind Boston Terrier, and we hit the falls, where we found a 46er warming his feet by a fire built right in the middle of the falls( must have been a cold winter up there). Back to the trucks where despite stopping at all the views, talking to any and everybody we met, gabbing to ourselves when no one would listen, going the wrong way several times, and just enjoying the day to its fullest, we still didn't meet the criteria for a hike,it turned out to be just another walk on a beautiful day with good company.

Hiker41 · 07-22-2012, 07:12 AM

"Turned out to be just another walk on a beautiful day with good company."
What else can one ask for ?

Rockledge · 07-22-2012, 08:21 AM

Let me guess, 7 hours 39 minutes? You're getting closer.

Doodles · 07-22-2012, 10:05 AM

I think it was more like 7 hrs 53 minutes, but that is because we had to go look for old cabin and fire tower artifacts.

Not to mention the peak identification lesson Mudhook gave to the very friendly tower steward.

It was a nice day to be out and chat to all who would listen.

SendHelp · 07-22-2012, 08:38 PM

Failure or not, sounds like a great time.

But whats the deal with the fire?

Zer0-G · 07-23-2012, 08:14 AM

A truly miserable sounding outing...total failure...

We should all be so unfortunate.

Next time remember this...'Misery Loves Company'

mudhook · 07-23-2012, 08:59 PM

Rockledge,more like 7:59, shouldn't have dropped packs and run.
Send Help, no idea about the fire, The guy just sat there warming his feet with the smokiest fire imaginable, right in the middle of the falls. I was leaning more like putting my feet in the water.
Ron,with you along,

we would have been plenty miserable, stretching it out another hour at least

Zer0-G · 07-24-2012, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mudhook

Ron,with you along,

we would have been plenty miserable, stretching it out another hour at least

I would have insisted on stretching it out along the ground for at least 5 feet 10 inches during that extra hour...at least ....indeed...

BTW, Jaco and I hiked Bearpen and Vly on Sunday (peaks 11 & 12). He signed his name for the second time!!! - look for it ...

07-21-2012, 08:30 PM	#1
mudhook Forum Moderator Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: On the slopes of Old Clump Posts: 2,260	Failed Spruceton Loop Hike, again I figured that if I went with Doodles, on a crisp cool, not too humid morning, starting the loop up Rusk first, getting the climb out of the way( also the nettles and rain pants that go with them), we should be able to make a successful hike and day out of this. Wrong again! we wacked up to Rusk using the principal of up, wandering on and off the various herd paths, pushing thru ledges, briars, nettles and finally some scattered spruce on top, finding the can right where I left it. It was a real shock seeing some of the names in there. Off to East Rusk, which doesn't count to most, but is a great peak on its own. Now using the principal of circumnavigation, we headed downlike, missing the col, ending up(down) more towards West Hunter, enabling us to gain some more up and milage. Things were looking good. Quick trip up, a stop at the horsy spring which is running slowly, but cold and painfully refreshing, and we were too soon at the tower, meeting Left Right Left on the porch, a long lunch, the caretaker showed up and opened the tower, a longer talk with a family reunion bunch(7-70 in ages)whose great great great grandfather was an observer and builder of and in the orginal tower. we chatted with all kinds and sizes of people, the day looking better and better. Down the longest mile from the Becker Hlw junction to the Devils Acre , spring is running there also. At the start of the rail bed things started to turn for the worse: we dropped packs, and on the professionaly cut and maintained railbed, made quick work of the trip over and back. A few stops for eating nettles and to chat with a blind Boston Terrier, and we hit the falls, where we found a 46er warming his feet by a fire built right in the middle of the falls( must have been a cold winter up there). Back to the trucks where despite stopping at all the views, talking to any and everybody we met, gabbing to ourselves when no one would listen, going the wrong way several times, and just enjoying the day to its fullest, we still didn't meet the criteria for a hike,it turned out to be just another walk on a beautiful day with good company.

07-22-2012, 07:12 AM	#2
Hiker41 Aspiring 35er Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Queens, N.Y.C. Posts: 246	"Turned out to be just another walk on a beautiful day with good company." What else can one ask for ? __________________ "There are no words that can tell the hidden spirit of the wilderness, that can reveal its mystery, its melancholy, and its charm." Theodore Roosevelt My Photos: http://picasaweb.google.com/110909330723159178945 Catskill 3500 33/39

07-22-2012, 08:21 AM	#3
Rockledge Where's the Beast? Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Cedar Grove Posts: 1,409	Let me guess, 7 hours 39 minutes? You're getting closer. __________________ Walking is the best possible exercise. Habituate yourself to walk very fast.~Thomas Jefferson Everywhere is walking distance if you have the time.~Steven Wright

07-22-2012, 08:38 PM	#5
SendHelp Elvis Lives!!!!! Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Binghamton, NY Posts: 378	Failure or not, sounds like a great time. But whats the deal with the fire? __________________ Smile, things could be worse.

07-23-2012, 08:14 AM	#6
Zer0-G Dances w/Giant Hogweeds Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Valhalla, NY Posts: 1,341	A truly miserable sounding outing...total failure... We should all be so unfortunate. Next time remember this...'Misery Loves Company' __________________ Natural environment sustains the life of all beings universally. Trees are referred to in accounts of the principal events of Buddha's life. His mother leaned against a tree for support as she gave birth to him. He attained enlightenment seated beneath a tree, and finally passed away as trees stood witness overhead. H.H. D. L. "experience is something you don't get until after you need it, that's the problem." - Joe Simpson As I was walking - I saw a sign there And that sign said - No tresspassin' But on the other side - it didn't say nuthin' Now that side was made for you and me! - Woody Guthrie - Charter Member of the Tongue-In-Cheek Club (TIC)

07-22-2012, 10:05 AM	#4
Doodles Commander Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: New Paltz Posts: 743	I think it was more like 7 hrs 53 minutes, but that is because we had to go look for old cabin and fire tower artifacts. Not to mention the peak identification lesson Mudhook gave to the very friendly tower steward. It was a nice day to be out and chat to all who would listen.

07-23-2012, 08:59 PM	#7
mudhook Forum Moderator Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: On the slopes of Old Clump Posts: 2,260	Rockledge,more like 7:59, shouldn't have dropped packs and run. Send Help, no idea about the fire, The guy just sat there warming his feet with the smokiest fire imaginable, right in the middle of the falls. I was leaning more like putting my feet in the water. Ron,with you along, we would have been plenty miserable, stretching it out another hour at least

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