My last day within the Jay Mountain Wilderness begins at the serene Merriam Swamp but takes an ugly turn while bushwhacking back to the marked trail. Dense vegetation, ancient blowdowns, panicking ruffed grouse and rock cliffs are just a few of the obstacles overcome. It is not all bad though, as I find the perfect resting rock and briefly step out of the forest for a gorgeous view of the surrounding area. The trail not only provides a swift exit from the area, but provides my first interactions with actual people after six days of solitude. A great ending to a fabulous trip, even if the eventual fate of Lot 8 is never far from my mind.
Jay Mountain Wilderness 2014: Climbing McDonough (nee Slip) Mountain
My climb up McDonough (nee Slip) Mountain starts with a bushwhack from the beaver swill along Derby Brook up a herd path to a col along the ridge connecting McDonough and Saddleback Mountains. An arduous hike east along the ridge pays off with beautiful views to the south from McDonough’s summit before retracing my way back west to set myself up for the journey down to Merriam Swamp the following day.
Jay Mountain Wilderness 2014: Descending to Hale Brook
It is do or die time. After retreating off Jay Mountain the previous day due to dwindling daylight and threatening skies, I find myself back in the position of deciding whether to continue on with my trip or scrapping the whole thing altogether. The prospect of heading home, tail firmly embedded between legs, with the
Jay Mountain Wilderness 2014: A Wet Summit on the Mountain
The sound of pitter-pater on my tarp greets my awakening. At first, before the shroud of sleep lifts completely from my mind, my thoughts turn toward early morning insects. As my awakening progresses, the insects give way to the true culprit, raindrops ricocheting off the tarp instead. It is going to be a wet day,
Jay Mountain Wilderness 2014: Retreat is the Better Part of Valor
After returning to the Pepperbox Wilderness in search of a mysteriously missing tent stake from the Birdathon just weeks earlier, which metamorphosed into a reconnaissance trip into the nearby Five Ponds Wilderness, the urge to explore somewhere new is overwhelming. It has been a while since I got this feeling, the last time being when
