Hiking Ethan Pond Trail

Well, my much anticipated 2011 White Mountain 'excursion' went well.  We hiked the Ethan Pond Trail to the Zealand Falls AMC Hut and then descended the Zealand Falls Trail the next morning.  As expected, the first .3 miles was very steep, though under tree cover.  If I hadn't known it was only .3 miles, I would have been among those who turned back.  In fact, after stopping the 3rd time, I was seriously contemplating doing just that.  However, I was glad I did not.  After that beginning, the trail leveled off, and it was one of the easiest 7.5 miles I have ever done in the Whites.....until the last .2, which rivaled the first .3!

After a few miles, the trail crossed a very high bridge over the brook. 

Before and after, the trail consisted at times of planks across previously marshy stretches.  The lack of rainfall made for a drier than expected hike.  A mile or so beyond the bridge was a stretch of trail that was carved out of a huge rock slide.  Pictures did not do justice to the awesome stretch of rock above and below us.

 We spotted a hut off in the distance, on the other side of the ravine, but with only two miles to go, we didn't think it was our hut.  (It is a small dot to the right and just above the birch branches.)  Turns out it was, and the trail curved in ways I still do not understand.

A few yards past the hut was a huge waterfalls - the Zealand Falls.  Having arrived at the hut much sooner than we normally do, we had time to climb the Falls and 'relax' in a pool of 65 degree spring water, overlooking the mountains and valleys!  Doesn't get much better than that.  Again, pictures don't do it justice, but we all looked at each other and said, 'THIS is why we do this every year!'  Here's a view from the front porch of our hut!  (The line above the base of that rock face is where the trail traverses when I took the rock slide pictures.)

After a great meal and a good night's sleep, it was a short 2.5 mile hike back to the cars, and civilization, and the comfort of our tents and a HOT shower!  God was good - what's new? - (the best weather possible, the relative ease of the trail, etc.) but next year I will have to be in better shape as we do the Crawford Path to Mt. Washington!

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What I did on my summer vacation.....
Brings back memories of my school days when the first thing we had to do when we returned to school each September was write that essay.
Well, I will blog again soon about my hiking and NH adventures, when I have some pictures downloaded that I can attach.  However, one of the things I DID do was bite the bullet and sign on with Facebook.  I posted this link on my Facebook page as well, in hopes that more will read it and maybe comment on it. 
Meantime, I am here in Gettysburg surviving the 100+ degree temps each day.  Went kayaking on the Susquahena River today.  Overheard someone today asking for January/February weather to return.  I think they were out in the heat a bit too long!

ready or not

It is time for the summer vacation, and that means my annual climb in the White Mountains.  Unfortunately, I could use another two months of training - or maybe I should have started two months earlier than I did!  Anyway, ready-or-not, here it comes!  The 'deed' is happening on Thursday and Friday.  The forecast, as of now, seems perfect - too good to be true, actually.  What's the saying - "If it sounds too good to be true...."?  Let's hope not.

While we are not summitting any of the 4000' peaks this year, our hike is much longer than usual - about 7.5 miles the 1st day and over 5 miles the second.  We are traversing the Ethan Pond Trail to the Zealand Falls Hut.  Although I have been to that hut, I have never overnighted there, so I am looking forward to this experience.

Our base camp is once again in nearby Bartlett, Glen Ellis Campground.  After the scattered t-storms tomorrow, the rest of the week looks to be ideal -  even Mother Nature's own AC at night!

The second half of my vacation will take me to my sister's and her famiy in Gettysburg, a beautiful part of our country steeped in history.  She wants me to bring the rain down her way since they are in a drought.  Hard to remember what that is like with all the rain we've had this year!

Please pray for me as I will you.  Should have some interesting stories to blog upon my return.