Desolation Shelter, Cedar Brook Trail
Where: Desolation Shelter via Cedar Brook Trail
When: 8/14/87
With: Solo
This was a checkout hike. I wanted to see if this route was skiable, so I decided on a non-snow trip to reconnoiter the path. I followed the same route at the beginning as my previous hike, parking at the switchback on the Kancamagus highway and then taking the Hancock Notch trail in to the Cedar Brook trail. Here's where I started on new trail for me.
It was a short, easy climb to the height of land and then I started down. I stopped just inside the forest to take a picture. The sunlight was coming down the trail from the clearing at the height of land, and I lashed my camera to a tree and used the timer to get the shot. As I continued my descent, I heard a noise in the woods to my right. A couple of grouse were chasing me, paralleling my route on the trail. I stopped and they scattered up the hill into the woods. When I started again, they returned to the chase, so I stopped again, and they scattered again. This went on a few more times before they gave up and left.
The rest of the trip to the Pemi was uneventful, though beautiful. At the river, I hiked upstream awhile and then stopped for a quick skinny dip behind some rocks. It was wonderful. Refreshed, I continued on and soon was at Desolation Shelter. I'd never noticed it in the winter, but the area had been pretty thoroughly beaten down. A clear example of overuse. No underbrush and the trees were all stripped of branches from the ground up to 6-8 feet.
I stopped at the shelter and read the logbook (a Forest Service employee had the same impression about the overuse), but decided to set up camp elsewhere. I went across the stream and down a bit before finding a nice spot. There was still plenty of light, so I relaxed and enjoyed the area for awhile before setting up dinner and going to sleep.
The next morning, I breakfasted on kiwi fruit brought in an egg carrier and then was on my way. I decided to head up and over Mt. Carrigain. According to the map, I had a 3000-foot climb ahead and it looked almost straight up. The map proved correct. It wasn't bad at first, but near the top it was insanely steep. I was pausing for rest every few steps. Finally it leveled out in some scrub pine and suddenly I was looking up at a fire tower. I was on top. Unfortunately, it was a bit overcast, but the view was still spectacular.
I stayed awhile, took some pictures, and headed down the other side. The view into Carrigain Notch was impressive, with the cliffs of Mt. Lowell across the way. At the bottom, I debated following a brook that would have cut off a corner of my hike. An old woods road at the brook tempted me, but I decided to forego adventures this time and stayed on the trail. As it turns out, I probably could have taken that route, but that's a trip for another day.
I got out to Sawyer River Road and headed upstream to pick up the Hancock Notch trail. There were a lot of people around there, since the road gave easy access, but I soon left them behind and slipped into the woods. The trail was easy and pleasant and I made good time. I paused at the campsite I'd used on the last trip to say hello and thanks again. The trail got a little rough as it neared the height of land, but soon I was up and over and on my way home.
More pictures
When: 8/14/87
With: Solo
It was a short, easy climb to the height of land and then I started down. I stopped just inside the forest to take a picture. The sunlight was coming down the trail from the clearing at the height of land, and I lashed my camera to a tree and used the timer to get the shot. As I continued my descent, I heard a noise in the woods to my right. A couple of grouse were chasing me, paralleling my route on the trail. I stopped and they scattered up the hill into the woods. When I started again, they returned to the chase, so I stopped again, and they scattered again. This went on a few more times before they gave up and left.
The rest of the trip to the Pemi was uneventful, though beautiful. At the river, I hiked upstream awhile and then stopped for a quick skinny dip behind some rocks. It was wonderful. Refreshed, I continued on and soon was at Desolation Shelter. I'd never noticed it in the winter, but the area had been pretty thoroughly beaten down. A clear example of overuse. No underbrush and the trees were all stripped of branches from the ground up to 6-8 feet.
I stopped at the shelter and read the logbook (a Forest Service employee had the same impression about the overuse), but decided to set up camp elsewhere. I went across the stream and down a bit before finding a nice spot. There was still plenty of light, so I relaxed and enjoyed the area for awhile before setting up dinner and going to sleep.
The next morning, I breakfasted on kiwi fruit brought in an egg carrier and then was on my way. I decided to head up and over Mt. Carrigain. According to the map, I had a 3000-foot climb ahead and it looked almost straight up. The map proved correct. It wasn't bad at first, but near the top it was insanely steep. I was pausing for rest every few steps. Finally it leveled out in some scrub pine and suddenly I was looking up at a fire tower. I was on top. Unfortunately, it was a bit overcast, but the view was still spectacular.
I stayed awhile, took some pictures, and headed down the other side. The view into Carrigain Notch was impressive, with the cliffs of Mt. Lowell across the way. At the bottom, I debated following a brook that would have cut off a corner of my hike. An old woods road at the brook tempted me, but I decided to forego adventures this time and stayed on the trail. As it turns out, I probably could have taken that route, but that's a trip for another day.
I got out to Sawyer River Road and headed upstream to pick up the Hancock Notch trail. There were a lot of people around there, since the road gave easy access, but I soon left them behind and slipped into the woods. The trail was easy and pleasant and I made good time. I paused at the campsite I'd used on the last trip to say hello and thanks again. The trail got a little rough as it neared the height of land, but soon I was up and over and on my way home.
More pictures
