Silly me...I forgot to mention yesterday that 2 days after my drive to Tupper Lake I discovered there was a quilt store in town. It was too far to drive back again so I've saved it on my to do list for next summer :)
On Wednesday of my trip, I got up early (OK, actually I was awake every day of my trip by 6am...go figure!) and headed off for Black Bear Mountain which is right next to Rocky Mountain that I climbed last September.
I neglected to look up online information on BBM before my trip. I had checked a couple cheap maps but had I looked it up online I would have known that there were 2 trails at this trail head so while I can guess that I climbed the longer/muddier trail which is a 6.2 mile round trip, it's really any one's guess.
The trail was intermingled with muddy spots and dry areas. There were also steep rocky/root covered sections and then actual rock face climbs. Some, like this vertical climb luckily had foot and hand holds. Others were more or less rounded rock surfaces that took advantage of shoe friction to keep you in place.
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| Yup - just climbed this vertical rock face. |
At one point in the hike, I heard a funny single tap. I heard it again and began walking more slowly. Eventually I figured out it was a woodpecker testing various trees and stood there looking for him. Boy was I thrilled to discover it was a pileated woodpecker! Sadly, he didn't stick around long.
Eventually I made it to the top of BBM - It's not a great shot of the view but I think my grin is pretty snarky because it reflects my attitude of "Hell Yeah, I made it to the top!" It had only taken 1.5 hours of heat, sweat, muscle and bugs to get up there!
The views continued forever and after exploring some of the boulders at the top of the mountain I found a little shade and got to work :)
I enjoyed almost 2 hours alone at the top of the mountain but headed down once it got "crowded." It was a little harrowing going down some of the rock faces...some I backed down since it otherwise felt like going down a ladder face first with no railings. My legs were pretty wobbly the whole hike down due to the grade, rocks and roots to manuever. I was never so happy to reach my car.
5 comments:
Your hike sounds wonderful! Me, I prefer a gentler grade. I bet you were so happy to sit and stitch afterwards!
Just amazing that your trip has covered so many areas that were our families' favorite spots over the years.
I like the view. You made it up the mountain pretty quickly, I'd say. Oh, I hate that shaky leg feeling on the hike down. I'm sure my knees will just give out on me. How fun for you to have some hexie time at the top, and I'm glad you got down safely.
So...you have the waterfalls *and* the quilt shop to look forward to for next year! I meant to tell you -- right after we'd had the conversation about you seeing the pileated woodpecker, I saw one of ours on a limb right outside the window! He was moving too much to give me a good picture, though I took several. Fun stuff!! Great picture of *you* too! :)
Sewing at the top of a mountain... Why didn't I think of that! :D Looks like fun.
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