Sunday October 27th: We woke up at 5:30AM and packed up our lean-to at Moose Brook State Campground. We ate a quick breakfast and made instant coffee to go and hit the road. We drove from Gorham over to the Zealand-Hale access road, lucky to find the gate still open. We knew it closed for winter, but was unsure of when that could be. We drove in to the Hale Brook Trailhead and set off of the trail at 7AM. 

The trail walks up a nice ramp through deciduous forest before entering the coniferous forest and walking up a few switchbacks. It was here something was different. We saw hoar frost on the ground, and noticed that the seeps of wet areas were now frozen. Bits of styrofoam-like snow were covering the ground but not enough to make it white. We could see in the distance some peaks that looked more snow covered. We continued up the alpine scrub making sure our foot placements were on rock, not ice and quickly made it up to the summit area. A large pile of rocks creates a summit cairn here but no views from the summit proper. The summit area  is large and looks like it might have been home to a fire tower back in the day. I was very excited as this was summit #100 of the 115!

We made it up in 1.5. hours and had the summit to ourselves. The temperatures today were much colder than previous days: around freezing with a windchill. We donned another layer for the descent and made our way down. We passed several parties on the descent: solo hikers, young families, an older couple. It was great to see so many people out hiking. We arrived back at the parking lot before 10AM and could then start the long 5.5 hour drive home. 

Hike Stats:
Distance: 7km
Time: 2 hrs, 50 mins
Elevation: 692m or 2270ft

NE 111 (115): #100

Saturday October 26th, 2024: We woke up early at Moose Brook State Campground and saw the sunrise light the sky up between the trees. The red sky 'sailor's warning' was true on this day as gale force winds were forecasted later on. We chose to hop over the State line to Maine and hike Old Speck Mountain, my last in Maine.

We drove over from Gorham and started hiking after 8AM, but we weren't the first on the trails that morning. We chose to take the Appalachian trail up as it was already raining and the forecasted winds were urging us to get up and down as quickly as possible. We climbed well manicured trail winding through the forest (with less leaves than yesterday), and followed a nice brook up the trail. Rain drizzled down on us and we donned our gore-tex rain coats. The temperatures were cold enough that we didn't mind wearing the gore-tex layer.  We finally got up to a ridge and could feel the full force of the wind from the windward side and added gloves and rain pants to our outfit. We were in a cloud and there were no views in any direction.  We continued over a series of bumps and false summit areas until we found the fire tower and got to the summit proper. At this point were were still in a cloud, it was hailing, and the gale force winds had begun. There was no views and the wind gusts made going up the fire tower downright scary. I went up about 1/3 of the way and came back down. We didn't linger long so after a few photos and videos we returned down the same way. We had passed a few solo and duo hikers along the way but on the way back down, we passed a few larger parties - one group of 6 women and 2 parties of what look like ill prepared college kids. We didn't stop for lunch until we were back on the leeward side, about halfway back down to the car. I had my first thermos of tea on this hike which is a sure sign winter is coming. On the descent we got a couple views as sun peaked through the clouds and we could see some wind vanes in the distance. We also got a couple of views of the peak we just climbed. We got down to the parking lot around 2PM, happy to have checked off my last Maine 4000 footer. 

Hike stats:
Distance: 11.87km
Elevation: 946m or 3200ft
Time: 5hrs 13mins

Maine: 14/14
NE 111 (115): #99

Friday October 25th, 2024: The plan to get down to New Hampshire came together very quickly. I applied for my one paid day off per year and got approved so I quickly booked some campsites and got my plan in place. We drove 4 hours to Magog, Quebec for the night and stayed at Parc D'Estrie, a trailer park that was thankfully still open on October 24th. We spent the night camped on a grassy lawn and woke up to frost covering the tents and car. We threw our gear in the back of the car, grabbed a coffee just after 6AM and drove until 9AM to the Rocky Branch trailhead for Isolation. The Glen Boulder would have been my preferred way but the parking lot is under construction.

We left just after 9AM and it didn't take long to encounter our first challenge. Leaves! The trees were bare of leaves and were over ankle deep. This created treacherous trail conditions as you couldn't see what was below your feet as you stepped. I had just sprained my ankle 4 weeks before, and so I took most steps cautiously. In addition to the 2km of deep leaves, the trail ascends steadily. After an hour or 3km of hiking, we had ascended 1600ft from the parking lot. The trail levels off  and even goes down slightly but the terrain changes to boulder hopping all the way down to the river. Luckily today the mud and water were easily avoidable. The first of 5 river crossings happens around the 6km mark and the trail weaves its way on each side of the river with more boulder hopping on each side. The river was low, and so crossings were easy. The trail hand rails the river and is a gradual ramp. After the 5th crossing the trail moves away from the river and turns into a curve towards the summit. Staying in the forest, you pass by campsite, and two junctions before the summit trail begins. 

The summit is wide open, with excellent views of the Presidential range. We had a clear day and shared the summit with a few others. We took a lunch break here, enjoyed the sun, no wind, and took many photos. The summit is 11.5km in and 3200ft of ascent. The return trip took the route in reverse hopping back and forth on thousands of boulders barely any faster than we came up. We had dry feet when we returned, something that people complain about with this route up. A great day to be out in the mountains, especially on a bald summit. Glad to have this one checked off!

Hike Stats:
Distance: 22.7km
Time: 7 hours 50 mins
Elevation: 3800ft

​NE 111 (115): #98

With over an inch of rain in the forecast starting early afternoon, we set our alarms for 6AM and got on the road early. Hiking by 8AM, we started up route #6 on the Sugarbush Ski Resort Hiking map. We deviated from the route once to short cut the route up Organ Grinder, but then got back on #6 to the top of Lincoln Peak. The route up was a steady 2300ft climb. There was some construction going on up there but we found our way to the observation deck and the Long Trail easily. The wind chill temperatures at this elevation were near freezing so we didn't linger long and started off on the Long Trail towards Abraham's bald summit. We passed by some blowdown, a few muddy sections and over one downed tree. We passed by Little Abe at 3900 feet before reaching Mount Abraham proper. When we arrived, there were 4 others there already - all of us being blasted by the wind. The views were spectacular in all directions and there was a rock ring constructed on the summit to protect from the wind. We donned some more clothing and gloves and took a few photos before quickly retreating back to the same trail we came in on. Back in the trees we added more layers as the ridge was still frigid and we weren't generating enough heat now that we were travelling on the ridge. We got back to the Lincoln chair and passed  quickly through an open area back onto the Long Trail ridge. The trail here becomes easier as it moves towards the CastleRock chair and we were able to pick up the pace a bit. Still exposed to the wind we didn't stop until we got to the top of the chair. 

Here Glenn decided his foot (which is slated for foot surgery) had enough of the uneven terrain and decided he we would descent the ski hill while I continued on the Long Trail over to Mount Ellen. I skidaddled onto the Long Trail ascending over a few bumps to Cutt's Peak where I double checked my position on my GPS watch and then continued on to Ellen. The trail has a couple of muddy spots to skirt but for the most part is an easy walk. Ellen's summit is treed and close to the top of another part of Sugarbush ski hill. I thought about descending that Sugarbush North ski hill rather than turning back the way I came and get Glenn to come pick me up. I couldn't find any information about hiking on that portion of the ski hill online and saw that everyone who was out hiking on the day returning the way we came so I followed suit. The trail out to Ellen was not difficult, so it only took about 40 minutes to re-trace my steps before I was back at the top of the Castle Rock chair texting Glenn at the bottom. I descended the Troll Road run to the base with the top third being a bit loose an steep and then bottom 2/3rds being a beautiful fall walk with colours in all directions. An hour later I met up with Glenn and the bottom who was listening to a live band at the base and a crowd at the village enjoying a crisp fall day. 

Luckily I had beaten the rain and was able to get back to the car and start the 5 hour drive home north before it hit. We decided to forego camping for another night due to the rain but there is something so magical about Vermont's scenery, vibe and hiking I wish we could have stayed longer. Vermont is done!

Hike Stats:
Distance: 17.82km
Time: 5 hours 27 mins
Elevation gain: 1158m or 3808ft

Vermont: 5/5
Northeast 115er count: #96 and #97 out of 115
​October 13th, 2024

​I rolled my ankle on a hike in September and had been still feeling the effects a couple weeks later. Glenn has a foot slated for surgery so when I was thinking about what 115ers I had left to do, I selected two hikes with ski hill approaches to reduce the amount of time hiking on uneven terrain. 

We drove the 6 hours Saturday morning via the southern Adirondacks to Killiington Ski resort in Vermont. The drive down was spectacular as the fall colours were on display despite being slightly past peak. The resort was busy, complete with hikers, mountain bikers, and leaf peeping gondola riders. We set off around 2pm, and followed the "E" trail up. This route up winds it's way up using forested trails, ski hill runs, and ski hill roads. The very well marked trail mixes steep climbs with traverses to catch your breath. Closer to the top, you pass under the gondola and head up the staired walkway which brings you to the top of the gondola and summit hut. When we arrived, we couldn't believe the hoards of people. The crowds were out in full force leaf peeping in all directions. The sunny day made the conditions pleasant - we hiked the last short trail to the summit, only to find about 50 others there at the same time. We took a few summit photos - well actually we got a random stranger to take some photos and enjoyed the views of the Adirondack in the distance.

We scampered down the summit trail back to the gondola and walked back down the stairs and decided to take a the "C" route back down. This route was a great descent as it followed all ski hill roads and was only steep for one short distance. The mountain bike trails that merge with hiking trails are well marked and I give kudos to Killington for their well managed property. Before we knew it we were back at the base and finished the hike. We headed driving north to Chittenden State Park campground for the night, arriving with just enough light to spare to set up our tent.

Hike Stats:
Distance: 7.83km
Time: 2 hours, 27 mins
Ascent: 541m or 1773ft

Hiked October 12th, 2024. Peak #95/115