Mount Hale 3/11/06
Mount Hale 4054’
9.4 Miles (Winter Road-walk) 2300’ Elevation gain
Kevin, Judy, Emma,
This would make twelve on our winter 4000 footer list. There is some added distance to doing this in winter as Zealand Road is closed and a hike in from the parking lot on Rte. 302 is necessary. This adds about 2.5 miles in each direction, making the relatively short (2.2 mile) climb up the Hale Brook Trail a little more strenuous. Altogethr the hike is now 9.4 miles as opposed to 4,4 in the summer and fall when it is possible to drive to the parking area on Zealand Road. The hike in along Zealand Road is easy, though, mostly flat except for the very beginning. It would have been fun in x-country skis, however we used neither skis nor snowshoes. Jude used her cleats, I used just my boots. I remember thinking the climb was much more difficult than I recalled it being the first two times, and the last time I was packed for camping. I think my muscles don't work as well in the cold, even after the 2.5 mile warm up on the way to the trailhead I had a hard time going up. Jude was fine and Emma always seems like she's on flat ground, so I just bit my tongue and kept plodding along. The summit was beautifulas they all are in their winter finery. The trees were frosted and the skies were crystal clear this day, giving us excellent views. The trees have grown up to the summit so as to restrict the views, but a scramble to the top of the very large summit cairn helps with getting views in most directions. I sort of wish there was still a tower on this one, so the views would be better, but it's one of those things I have mixed feelings about. The one part of me is glad the human destruction is removed and the summit is returning to its former self, but the other part of me wants to see the surrounding mountains so wishes there was something I could climb up and get a good look around, over the encroaching trees. After some lunch we made our way back down to Zealand Road where we plodded back to the north to our waiting car. As much as I always enjoy the hike and the views, I was glad to sit down again.
Read More9.4 Miles (Winter Road-walk) 2300’ Elevation gain
Kevin, Judy, Emma,
This would make twelve on our winter 4000 footer list. There is some added distance to doing this in winter as Zealand Road is closed and a hike in from the parking lot on Rte. 302 is necessary. This adds about 2.5 miles in each direction, making the relatively short (2.2 mile) climb up the Hale Brook Trail a little more strenuous. Altogethr the hike is now 9.4 miles as opposed to 4,4 in the summer and fall when it is possible to drive to the parking area on Zealand Road. The hike in along Zealand Road is easy, though, mostly flat except for the very beginning. It would have been fun in x-country skis, however we used neither skis nor snowshoes. Jude used her cleats, I used just my boots. I remember thinking the climb was much more difficult than I recalled it being the first two times, and the last time I was packed for camping. I think my muscles don't work as well in the cold, even after the 2.5 mile warm up on the way to the trailhead I had a hard time going up. Jude was fine and Emma always seems like she's on flat ground, so I just bit my tongue and kept plodding along. The summit was beautifulas they all are in their winter finery. The trees were frosted and the skies were crystal clear this day, giving us excellent views. The trees have grown up to the summit so as to restrict the views, but a scramble to the top of the very large summit cairn helps with getting views in most directions. I sort of wish there was still a tower on this one, so the views would be better, but it's one of those things I have mixed feelings about. The one part of me is glad the human destruction is removed and the summit is returning to its former self, but the other part of me wants to see the surrounding mountains so wishes there was something I could climb up and get a good look around, over the encroaching trees. After some lunch we made our way back down to Zealand Road where we plodded back to the north to our waiting car. As much as I always enjoy the hike and the views, I was glad to sit down again.
As always, Emma leads the way.
