Mount Bemis
Where: Mt. Bemis
When: June 1992
With: Solo
When: June 1992
With: Solo
The intent of this trip was to find the now-unmaintained former trail up Mt. Bemis, follow it to the top, bushwhack across to Mt. Nancy, and then descend to the campsite at the outlet of Norcross Pond to spend the night.
I drove up under threatening skies, taking the Kancamaugus Highway to Bear Notch Road and then over to the trail head. Just as I arrived at the trailhead, the skies opened up. I packed up in a downpour, using the hatch of my car for cover, and then started walking. This was my third time up this trail, so it wasn't unfamiliar and I quickly settled into an easy pace.
A little ways along, I met two women, travelling in the opposite direction. In comparison to my full foul weather gear, they were wearing shorts, gaiters, and raincoats. Probably a better choice of clothes for the warm weather. They mentioned that they were heading out because they hadn't brought a tent, not expecting the rain. We chatted a bit and then parted.
After a bit, I came to the trail junction for the abandoned side trail. I don't know why I've never noticed it before. The beginning is a bit overgrown, to be sure, but it's a pretty obvious trail, leaving the main trail right where the main trail turns left to follow Nancy Brook upstream. The side trail leaves in the opposite direction, slabbing along the side of the embankment on the north side of the Nancy Brook.
I did a quick check to make sure no one was around and then followed the trail. I walked at a good pace, doing my best to avoid the poison ivy that covered the path. My pace was intended to get me out of sight of the main trail as quickly as possible. Silly, I know, but I didn't want anyone to know I'd gone this way. I was an outlaw hiker on an unauthorized path, or at least that's the feeling I had, and I wanted to stay out of sight.
Pretty quickly, the trail curved to the north, following the hillside, and I slowed my pace since I was now hidden from general view. I noted that, for an unmaintained trail, the path was pretty well kept up. A nice clear trail, with signs of recent maintenance activity. Even the poison ivy cleared somewhat and I was able to relax and enjoy the walk.
The route was moderately tough, but very pretty. It ascended steadily along the hillside, and occasionally there were views through the trees across and up the valley. At one point I rested briefly on a large rock that offered pretty clear views. For the most part the hiking wasn't too bad, but it gradually got steeper as it got higher.
Well up in altitude, among stunted scrub pine, the trail suddenly turned left and ascended into an open mountain meadow. The views were spectacular. The entire Southern Presidential range was laid out before me to the east, while Crawford Notch extended to the north. Mt. Washington was clearly visible in the distance. The meadow itself was a beautiful spot, slightly rolling and covered in small, scrubby plants, with the trail cutting through. At some point in the past, a fire tower stood here, though all traces had long disappeared.
I stayed a while, admiring the vistas, then turned and continued on the trail, heading toward Mt. Nancy. The peak loomed overhead to the southwest, obscuring views in that direction. A small, overgrown col separated it from me. On the side of the slope I could make out a long, straight line in the trees. I guessed that it might be man-made, possibly associated with a township border that crossed there, and thought it would be a good destination. I reasoned that there might be a trail or a slightly clearer path through the trees there.
I followed the trail on out of the meadow and down into the col. Suddenly, it fizzled out in the dense brush. I found myself in growth over my head, confronted with fallen trees everywhere, unable to tell where I was going. I tried several times to find a way through, without success. Returning to the path, I looked for alternate routes but found none. A pure bushwhack might've been possible, but the chances for injury were pretty good. Since I was alone and no one really knew where I was, that didn't seem like a good idea. Still, I'd come all this way. I debated the issue for quite a while and then decided that I'd have to forget the crossing to Mt. Nancy.
Returning to the meadow, I dropped my pack and tried to figure out what to do. On one hand, I was in a beautiful place, all by myself, and I could just camp right there. On the other hand, it was only 1PM, and I was facing some 7-8 hours of daylight with nothing to do. I regretted not having brought a book. For quite a while I ran through the alternatives, mostly trying to figure out ways to make it acceptable to stay. I checked out various tent sites, explored the area, took pictures. In the end though, I just couldn't convince myself that staying was the best idea. First of all, I never found a decent place to set up the tent. A cleared, level spot with an established fire ring probably would've changed my mind. Second, there was no water.
I took one last look around, strapped on my pack, and then headed down. I ran most of the way, trying to get back to the car as fast as possible so I could get home at a reasonable hour. The trip out took almost no time at all and pretty soon I was on the road and going home.
Another time? Bring a book. Bring a friend. Realize I had lots of time and try the bushwhack...slowly. Spend more time looking for other bushwhack routes. I will definitely go back to this place.
One note: There is no water after the Nancy Brook crossing (just before the start of the trail up Mt. Bemis). Refill bottles at this crossing.
More pictures
I drove up under threatening skies, taking the Kancamaugus Highway to Bear Notch Road and then over to the trail head. Just as I arrived at the trailhead, the skies opened up. I packed up in a downpour, using the hatch of my car for cover, and then started walking. This was my third time up this trail, so it wasn't unfamiliar and I quickly settled into an easy pace.
A little ways along, I met two women, travelling in the opposite direction. In comparison to my full foul weather gear, they were wearing shorts, gaiters, and raincoats. Probably a better choice of clothes for the warm weather. They mentioned that they were heading out because they hadn't brought a tent, not expecting the rain. We chatted a bit and then parted.
After a bit, I came to the trail junction for the abandoned side trail. I don't know why I've never noticed it before. The beginning is a bit overgrown, to be sure, but it's a pretty obvious trail, leaving the main trail right where the main trail turns left to follow Nancy Brook upstream. The side trail leaves in the opposite direction, slabbing along the side of the embankment on the north side of the Nancy Brook.
I did a quick check to make sure no one was around and then followed the trail. I walked at a good pace, doing my best to avoid the poison ivy that covered the path. My pace was intended to get me out of sight of the main trail as quickly as possible. Silly, I know, but I didn't want anyone to know I'd gone this way. I was an outlaw hiker on an unauthorized path, or at least that's the feeling I had, and I wanted to stay out of sight.
Pretty quickly, the trail curved to the north, following the hillside, and I slowed my pace since I was now hidden from general view. I noted that, for an unmaintained trail, the path was pretty well kept up. A nice clear trail, with signs of recent maintenance activity. Even the poison ivy cleared somewhat and I was able to relax and enjoy the walk.
The route was moderately tough, but very pretty. It ascended steadily along the hillside, and occasionally there were views through the trees across and up the valley. At one point I rested briefly on a large rock that offered pretty clear views. For the most part the hiking wasn't too bad, but it gradually got steeper as it got higher.
Well up in altitude, among stunted scrub pine, the trail suddenly turned left and ascended into an open mountain meadow. The views were spectacular. The entire Southern Presidential range was laid out before me to the east, while Crawford Notch extended to the north. Mt. Washington was clearly visible in the distance. The meadow itself was a beautiful spot, slightly rolling and covered in small, scrubby plants, with the trail cutting through. At some point in the past, a fire tower stood here, though all traces had long disappeared.
I stayed a while, admiring the vistas, then turned and continued on the trail, heading toward Mt. Nancy. The peak loomed overhead to the southwest, obscuring views in that direction. A small, overgrown col separated it from me. On the side of the slope I could make out a long, straight line in the trees. I guessed that it might be man-made, possibly associated with a township border that crossed there, and thought it would be a good destination. I reasoned that there might be a trail or a slightly clearer path through the trees there.
I followed the trail on out of the meadow and down into the col. Suddenly, it fizzled out in the dense brush. I found myself in growth over my head, confronted with fallen trees everywhere, unable to tell where I was going. I tried several times to find a way through, without success. Returning to the path, I looked for alternate routes but found none. A pure bushwhack might've been possible, but the chances for injury were pretty good. Since I was alone and no one really knew where I was, that didn't seem like a good idea. Still, I'd come all this way. I debated the issue for quite a while and then decided that I'd have to forget the crossing to Mt. Nancy.
Returning to the meadow, I dropped my pack and tried to figure out what to do. On one hand, I was in a beautiful place, all by myself, and I could just camp right there. On the other hand, it was only 1PM, and I was facing some 7-8 hours of daylight with nothing to do. I regretted not having brought a book. For quite a while I ran through the alternatives, mostly trying to figure out ways to make it acceptable to stay. I checked out various tent sites, explored the area, took pictures. In the end though, I just couldn't convince myself that staying was the best idea. First of all, I never found a decent place to set up the tent. A cleared, level spot with an established fire ring probably would've changed my mind. Second, there was no water.
I took one last look around, strapped on my pack, and then headed down. I ran most of the way, trying to get back to the car as fast as possible so I could get home at a reasonable hour. The trip out took almost no time at all and pretty soon I was on the road and going home.
Another time? Bring a book. Bring a friend. Realize I had lots of time and try the bushwhack...slowly. Spend more time looking for other bushwhack routes. I will definitely go back to this place.
One note: There is no water after the Nancy Brook crossing (just before the start of the trail up Mt. Bemis). Refill bottles at this crossing.
More pictures
