North Tripyramid 4180’ and Middle Tripyramid 4140’

Livermore Trail/Mount Tripyramid Trail

11 miles 3000’ Elevation gain

Kevin and some others

When you get to be my age sometimes doing things, even things that you love to do, can start to seem a little stale at times. So, you have to push yourself a little harder to get started, but then, once you get rolling you begin to ask yourself,"Gee, why was it so hard to get going on this?" and you answer yourself, "Well, because it's the same old same old, and I wish it had some variation once in a while." Well, for me at least, this weekend had just enough variation to make it fun again. There was enough youthful exuberance to wear off on me and seeing the smiling faces and happy chatter was good medicine for a guy that was starting to feel kind of old and worn down.

My wife, dog and I have done hundreds of hikes where it's just the three of us trudging through the woods, struggling to get up to the peaks, enjoying the wilderness as it was meant to be, quiet and solitary, and I love that, and I missed it somewhat this weekend, but having the opportunity to experience it in a different way was also a good thing, and I got to join in what was a real fun time. A large group of folks met up at Osceola Vista Campground over the weekend, some coming, some going, most with the intent of hiking the Mount Tripyramid Trail up the North Slide, then over to Middle Tripyramid to join Jason and Rebecca on their 47th and 48th 4000 footers on Sunday.

Being such a large group we started out at different times, each group hiking at their own pace, and obviously, everyone making the somewhat difficult ascent of the North Slide at their own speed. Being good hiking buddies, we all waited at the top of the slide to make sure that everyone had made it. Several other, albeit smaller, groups of hikers joined us.

Now we appeared to be a throng, so again, after pictures, drinks and food we broke up into smaller groups and continued the short hike to the summit of North Tripyramid, where naturally, we regrouped again. This, unfortunately, is where the Forest Ranger came along and found us, and he took his opportunity to explain to us that we were breaking the rules by being in a group of more than ten in a wilderness area, which, of course, we all realized.

So, again, we broke into smaller groups and did our best to maintain a quarter mile between us as we scurried over to Middle Tripyramid where, unintentionally, of course, we all gathered again for a few minutes to celebrate R and J finishing their 4000 Footer lists. There were presents and hugs and handshakes and smiles all around. There were a couple of smaller groups trying to enjoy some lunch when we showed up. There were some dogs in another group going in our direction and Pork chop, the Golden Retriever absconded with the smaller groups large block of cheese and scarfed it down whole, plastic wrapper and all. I tried to save the day by giving them my package of cheese, but I'm sure at that point they already felt quite violated. The dog owner, and AMC leader, didn't even appear to apologize. From what I saw he mostly just yelled at the dogs a lot and fed them very little.

There were several dogs, including these that I saw on the North Slide. IMO it was just this side of animal cruelty, though I've done similar hikes with Emma, I have learned to set limits and no longer put her through things that may or may not be in her best interest. Enough finger waggin'. Everyone hikes their own hike, which we proved in a big way on this one. We regrouped on South Tri and did a little more celebrating before heading down the South Slide in smaller groups.

The hike back to Livermore Road went by quickly with plenty of chatter and good company, and we hiked at a good pace back along the road and back to the parking area. From there we regrouped at Mad River Tavern where we took over a room and had a very good meal, more libations and good service. We shared more stories and jokes, then our fellowship parted ways and went back to our not as much fun lives outside of the mountains. Thanks everyone for taking me in and making me feel at home with you!