21 Jul 2018 – Yellow, Blue&White Blazing
Wed: our hikers started 0430hrs heading towards the approaching trail for Mahoosuc Notch&Arm but had to turn back due to road closure to get to the trail head from The Cabin. This section is known to be the most difficult mile on the AT where I fell and hurt my back in 2005.
Lovely day-hike Blue&WhiteBlazing@DunnNotch.
W-Branch of the Ellis River thru’ conserved wilderness, passing pools, cascades and the beautiful Upper and Lower Dunn Falls. Return along the AT for a loop hike. What a privilege to be hiking with Honey (86) and her great-grand son Josh (14).
Good lobster roll@SundayRiver Brewery.
Sunday River Covered Bridge (1872) for pedestrians only and the local general store. Good of AndyBrown to drive all the way from Bangor to catch up. The last time I saw him was@the ATthru’Hike in 2005 where he was our TrailAngel and I ate 5hotdogs here somewhere in ME.
Thu: drove to the NotchTrail to check out the trail-head for tent sites. Snacked@White Mountain Cafe/Gorham, good quiche but slow service, so if tight with time, find a fast food place!
Tent-City! and if you were starting your hike from the trailhead here, you will surely not miss us. Tents for HiHills&Frankin, PacMan&Josh, Wiggs, Pokey&Lizard and I (total 5tents) – tkx to the Tripletts for the loan of tent, sleeping-bag, ground-sheet, air-mattress, etc, not expecting to hike, left my camping and hiking gears in SIN.
Fri: TGIF wake up call for the hikers 0430hrs – hikers on the trail by 0700hrs for another attempt for the Mahoosuc Notch&Arm. It sure took me some time to dismantle and pack the tents, must be out of touch!!
Car was dirty after driving thru’ the gravel roads to the trail-head – gave both cars a wash. Shared an omelette for brunch with HiHill@Welsh, Gorham.
Yellow-Blaze 8mi (drive!) up Mt Washington. Had actually wanted to take the Cog Railway, but the timing did not fit, so not meant to be.
Last time here (2005), could not even see my hands when they were stretched out, had to link arms with Wiggs, Gadget&T² to hike thru’ this section. On top of Mt Washington is also the location with the highest wind record 213mph in 1934. Thus understanding why the building is chained to the ground!
Drove back to the Cabin dropping Pokey’s car@GraftonNotch via Gorham.
Grafton Notch ScrewAugerFalls – is a 25-foot plunge over the lip of a broad granite ledge into a gorge. A transparent curtain of whitewater is created by the plunge. Below the main plunge, the Bear River travels through a curvaceous gorge, dropping an additional thirty feet in a series of cascades past giant potholes, shallow pools and grottoes. There is also a small natural arch here, a rarity for New England. And again had my feet in the water and it was on the cold side for a CandyAss
http://www.newenglandwaterfalls.com/me-screwaugerfalls-grafton.html
Sat: group got in past 0100hrs. 0900hrs heading South on the Yellow-Blaze – appreciations to Honey&Bear+Hopper for their kindness&hospitality@The Cabin.
Glad that our hikers are all safe and sound. Thank you to TrailAngels HiHills&Franklin.
YellowBlazing down I-95South.
Dinner & overnight@FrackvillePA.
Yummy dinner@Anthony’s Pizza
with an interesting&interactive restroom sign! Excellent food, one of the best Tiramisu – managed to buy the last 2pieces and they were consumed before I had the chance to take my camera out!! Was pleasantly surprised by the standard of the food here and seems like a big population of Italian decedents here.
A decent night sleep@the EconoLodge was appreciated by all. Sharing the room with Wiggs&Lizard makes it more affordable, US$30pp S$41. Cool map of US car licence plates in the room. Tkx to Franklin for booking this.