Alpha-Gal and M2 planned this as a 4 day hike from Franconia Notch to Crawford Notch using the Hut system for overnights. Day 4 is from Zealand Falls and Hut, past Ethan Pond Shelter, and ends at the parking at Crawford notch. This was a much easier hike than previous days and we made better than expected time to the parking lot. We made a peaceful lunch stop at Ethan Pond Shelter and checked out Ethan Pond. There was some nice trail magic at the Crawford notch parking that “Peach”, “Barrel”, and a couple others had set up. This roving magic is known as “@ThePeachVortex” and some photos can be found over on Instagram.
Over the past couple years I’ve been using a trail guide put out by “Attroll” over at Whiteblaze.com called “WhiteBlaze Pages”. It’s a very informative and detailed guidebook that has community support. I like it a lot. It’s very affordable and can be found over at: https://www.whiteblazepages.com/store/ Go check it out! WhiteBlaze Forums: https://whiteblaze.net/forum/content.php
Thank you “Attroll” for providing us a ride back to our vehicle at the end of this hike. That was very unexpected and definitely appreciated!
Miles hiked for the day: 8.8 Total miles hiked for the weekend: 32.6
Alpha-Gal and M2 planned this as a 4 day hike from Franconia Notch to Crawford Notch using the Hut system for overnights. Day 3 is from Galehead Hut up South Twin Mountain, Mount Guyot, Zealand Mountain, and then down to Zealand Falls and Hut. Alpha-Gal and M2 made a quick stop for lunch at Zealand Mountain and Alpha-Gal bagged the peak. While eating, M2 made a new friend. This day was much easier than the others and we made good time to our destination. It was nice to soak our feet in the cool falls at the end of the day.
Miles hiked for the day: 7.1 Total miles hiked for the weekend: 32.6
Alpha-Gal and M2 planned this as a 4 day hike from Franconia Notch to Crawford Notch using the Hut system for overnights. Day 2 is from the Greenleaf Hut back up Mount Lafayette and then down the backside to the North Peak of Mount Lafayette and down through a steep mossy area across Garfield Ridge before climbing back to Mount Garfield, The Garfield Ridge Shelter and Spring, ending at Galehead Hut. This hike passes over the summits of Mount Lafayette, the North Peak of Mount Lafayette, and Mount Garfield. Alpha-Gal and M2 made a quick stop for lunch near Garfield Pond at a nondescript log near a tent site at that location. The hike down off Franconia Ridge and several places up and down Mount Garfield are extraordinarily steep – much more so than we ever imagined. We proceeded very slowly. The last “flat” section before the hut is not really flat and is riddled with precarious boulders and mini scrambles, slowing us way down and eventually making us late for dinner.
As we descended down from Franconia Ridge, we met another section hiker named “Revisit”. We hiked together for the remainder of our section.
Alpha-Gal and M2 planned this as a 4 day hike from Franconia Notch to Crawford Notch using the Hut system for overnights. Day 1 is from the Liberty Springs Trailhead up to the Franconia Ridge Trail and back down to Greenleaf Hut. This hike passes over the summits of Little Haystack Mountain, Mount Lincoln, and Mount Lafayette. Alpha-Gal and M2 made a quick stop for lunch at the Liberty Springs Tentsite and checked out the spring and privy and then proceeded the rest of the way up to the ridge. The climb up Little Haystack was more difficult than anticipated and took much longer than planned. After crossing the ridge, summiting Mount Lafayette, and descending down to Greenleaf Hut, Alpha-Gal and M2 enjoyed a good dinner. @17:24 I point out Mount Washington but labeled it as Garfield. It was so clear and it seemed so close.
At the start of the hike, micey, from Camp_micey YouTube channel, stopped by to see Alpha-Gal and M2 on their way off…she had just completed a longer section through the White Mountains, including this part.
My better half joins me out for a section hike to pick up some Appalachian Trail that I missed last time I was out this way. We also looked for the swing at Hog Camp Gap. Unfortunately, the swing appears to have gone missing… This is an easy loop on the Appalachian Trail from Hog Camp Gap to the Seely Woodworth Shelter (7.7 miles) and then return via a loop on the Lovingston Spring Trail (6.4 miles). The Lovingston Spring trail (2.7 miles) is a shortcut to the Seely Woodworth Shelter with a few springs along the way (Lovingston Spring and Twin Springs). There is a tricky turn when heading North on the Lovingston Spring trail near an old hunter camper – don’t miss the left turn immediately after the camper and accidentally stay on the forest road.
This is part 2 of a two part video of a group hike in the Red River Gorge. Red River Gorge is located in the Daniel Boone National Forest near Slade Kentucky. I was kindly invited by local Kentucky hiker “Backpacking With Jason” to attend this YouTuber hike / meetup. On day 2, Saturday, we shuttled over to the Grays Arch parking area and hiked the roughly 5.6 mile loop. The parking was very crowded on Saturday. The loop was very interesting and traversed a short section of the Sheltowee Trace Trail, the Rush Ridge Trail, the Rough Trail, and the Grays Arch Trail. We took a side trail off to the east of the Rush Ridge Trail to see Corrosion Cove and then continued on to Grays Arch. After descending steeply down the Rough Trail, there was quite a bit of water and the forest was damp and had lots of hemlocks. Very different compared to the trails along the ridges. After visiting Grays Arch, we went back to the Auxier Ridge Trailhead and hiked off trail West to see the Star Gap arch and Living Wall. Hiked 11.7 miles on day 2.
This video shows how to change the Rear Wheel Hub and Bearing Assembly in a 2011 Ford Taurus SEL. To get the hub off, you need to remove the wheel, the brake caliper, the disc rotor, and then pull the bearing assembly using an axle puller. The job was not all that hard, but did require tools I did not have. Fortunately the local auto parts store has loaner axle pullers. Jack, Jackstand, ½” Ratchet, ½” 3/4 Socket, ½” 15MM Socket, 15MM angled box end wrench, 3/8 Ratchet with adjustable angle head, 13mm Socket, 18mm Shallow Socket, 8mm Socket, ¼ Ratchet, ¼” Long Extension, ¼” 5/16 socket, Flat Screwdriver, ½” Torque Wrench, 3/8 drive #40 Torx, Anti-Seize, Brake Quiet, PB Blaster (penetrating oil), Wire Brush, Slide Hammer, Axle Puller, Hammer, Loctite Blue, Rod for hub block.
This is part 1 of a two part video of a group hike in the Red River Gorge. Red River Gorge is located in the Daniel Boone National Forest near Slade Kentucky. I was kindly invited by local Kentucky hiker “Backpacking With Jason” to attend this YouTuber hike / meetup. On day 1, Friday, we parked at the Auxier Ridge Trailhead and hiked the roughly 6.8 mile loop. The parking was not crowded on Friday but was absolutely jam packed full on the weekend. The loop was very interesting and we saw distant views of Double Arch, up close views of Haystack Rock and Courthouse Rock, and many interesting ridges. After Courthouse Rock, the trail descends steeply through the gorge and then climbs steeply back out. We set up camp out on a beautiful ridge about 1.5 miles from Double Arch. After setting up camp, we hiked the 1.5 miles in and out to see the beautiful Double Arch.
Spent the weekend up at Baltimore Inner Harbor with a great group of YouTubers. Dubbed "Collabathon", this is a series of meetups for us to collaborate, exchange ideas, talk tech, and have fun! I think I have all the channels listed below - if anyone notices any missing, let me know and I'll add them to the list. This video was shot on a Canon M50 with the 15-45mm lens and a polarizer (with exception of the construction paper time lapse which was done on an iPhone6).
We spent the afternoon exploring some of the trails at the American Chestnut Land Trust. There are over 22 miles of trails across this 3,000 acre preserve in Southern Maryland’s Calvert County. This park is easily accessed from Prince Frederick, MD and has ample parking. There is an outhouse on site, as well as trail maps and other resources. One of the interesting fun features in this preserve is a primitive raft to get across Parkers Creek to access the trails in the southern section of the preserve. Sorry for the video quality, I had issues with the camera (settings), dirty lens, and the editing software version was acting up. Figured I'd post it anyway.
Their website is very good and describes the park better than I can here:
I was recently tagged by Brant & Garvey, Not NoBo Loon, and Lamp Lighter to reveal my secret luxury gear items that I carry with me on the trail! This is all Dan Becker’s fault! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CU0hAogyruw
I found this while doing some Google surfing for local outdoor things to do in the desert. I just could not pass this one up! From in-between the four billboards on CA14 8.9 miles North of Red Rock State Park. Last Chance Canyon Road is on the right and there is a small sign there for the tunnel. The site is managed by the Bureau of Land Management. It is about 8 miles up to the Burro Schmidt Cabin site and some parking for the tunnel. The road is passable for most cars (it was for my Ford Focus). Some of the areas of road are soft sand...don't stop or yo might get stuck. There is limited cell service so make sure you leave a plan with someone so people know where you are. I would not attempt this on a wet day. There are a number of wash areas that look like they might become impassable by most vehicles if it is wet out. The cabins are pretty run down and fenced off. They look like what one would expect at many abandoned desert sites. The tunnel is very cool! it's about a half mile long with a spur on the left most of the way though. Look right at this junction and you'll see the exit. The view of the dry lake along Redrock Randsburg Rd from the far side of the tunnel is outstanding! Plan to spend about 3 hours playing with this one. It's a very cool side trip and I highly recommend it for those into weird things.
This was Day 2 of a very short two-day hike on the AT South, from PA 645 parking to the William Penn Shelter and then back over to the 501 Shelter. This section between 645 and the 501 shelter was very easy, nearly flat, and pretty much rock free except near the 501 shelter. There were a couple nice views along this route and an interesting blue blaze trail around AT mile 1194, just south of Fisher Overlook, that led to a pretty cool stone river. Fisher Overlook has a couple of really nice fire rings there too. The 501 shelter is very interesting and a bit more like a single room cabin. It is located a few hundred yards South of the Route 501 road crossing. The structure has a large picnic table in the center, a dozen bunks, some chairs, and a nice resource area where the log is. Outside are lots of picnic tables, a solar shower, water (piped in winter at the caretaker’s house), and ample tent sites. During winter, there is access to a nice privy down a red blaze trail. The site is right along Route 501 and food can be delivered to the parking area along the road. There are signs that prohibit “car camping”…so don’t expect to drive to the close parking and stay overnight. Mileage from PA 645 to William Penn was only 2.1 miles. Day 2 I hiked back to the 501 shelter and then to the 645 parking, making for an 8.2 mile total trip.
@0:42 – Parking / Road Crossing at PA 645 @2:06 – Mystery Pink Blaze @2:26 – Blue Blaze to Stone River @3:33 – Fisher Overlook and Fire Rings @4:55 – Route 501 Crossing @6:21 – Route 501 Shelter @9:17 – Water @9:47– Privy
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This was Day 1 of a very short two day hike on the AT South, from PA 645 parking to the William Penn Shelter and then back over to the 501 Shelter. This section between 645 and William Penn was very easy, nearly flat, and pretty much rock free. There were limited views through the trees along this section of trail. The tent sites and spring are off the trail to the North along a short blue blaze trail. The sprig was working well and there are a huge number of great tent sites. The shelter and privy are off to the South along another short blue blaze trail. The shelter is one of the better ones I’ve seen. It is two stories and has a nice fire pit. The privy gets a solid B. There was a small group there when I arrived, which is why I decided to stay here for the night instead of hiking another 4 miles back to the 501 Shelter. I’ll post 501 Shelter as a part 2 to this video. We got a nice fire going and played a game of Exploding Kittens (I won) and then we called it a night. It was about 30 degrees overnight and it flurried a bit. My Enlightened Equipment Enigma-H.E. Custom 30 degree quilt kept me warm. This is my liast hike for 2018. Have a Happy New Year!
Mileage from PA 645 to William Penn was only 2.1 miles. Day 2 I hiked back to the 501 shelter and then to the 645 parking making for a 8.2 mile total trip.
@0:21 – Parking at PA 645 @2:05 – William Penn Shelter and Spring Junction @4:10 – Spring at William Penn Shelter @5:48 – Shelter Area @7:24 – William Penn Shelter @8:54 – Dinner @9:51 – Privy
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