The weatherman said this weekend was gonna be a great one so I couldn't resist perusing maps all week to come up with a good destination. Chimney Mt had been on my list for far too long but had always been passed over due to its super short trail. So I opted to add in Puffer Mt as a way to add enough mileage to justify the 2hr drive. It also gave me good excuse to improve my navigation skills.
I hit the trail shortly after 8am and immediately felt drenched. The trees were producing a light rain and the thick air fogged up my glasses as soon as I started to heat up. Despite being slowed down by the uncomfortable conditions, I was soon at Puffer Pond. A large group was camped at the trail side lean-to so I bid them good morning and made my way to the outlet of the pond.
I took a bearing straight up the peak, erring to the east to try to avoid the ledges I had read about. The woods were moderately thick in places but open enough to not draw any blood. Getting soaked by the vegetation provided some needed relief from the oppressive humidity. Needless to say I didn't err enough to the east and had to skirt a particularly large ledge band to find a seam safe enough to advance. HOLY LEDGES! I was expecting the ledge but ended up running into several other ledges along the hike - almost all of them easy to work around.
The clouds were lifting from the view-less peak when I arrived at what I figured was "close enough" to the summit. There were no views but the sun and a light wind helped to burn off some of the humidity and dry everything out. Stopping for first lunch, I decided to try descending by the NE ridge.
A few minutes off the summit I was minding my own business enjoying a pleasant ridge walk when BAM! You guessed it, another ledge. This one appeared 20-40ft tall in spots and had no direct route to avoid. After spending a few minutes searching, I resigned to return the way I came.
Back at the pond I was surprised to see 2 additional groups camping. When I camped at the pond earlier this year I didn't see another soul. A well deserved snack was enjoyed at the pond side lean-to where I contemplated adding on Bullhead Mt. I opted to save it for another time and made my way back towards Chimney. I 'cut the corner' and joined the Chimney Mt trail just in time for the steepest sections. The steep and super wide trail shows that it gets its fair share of use. Views were stellar from the true summit and from the Chimney area where I indulged in second lunch.
Puffer Mt from Chimney Mt
View from Chimney
A quick jaunt down and I was on my way home.
I hit the trail shortly after 8am and immediately felt drenched. The trees were producing a light rain and the thick air fogged up my glasses as soon as I started to heat up. Despite being slowed down by the uncomfortable conditions, I was soon at Puffer Pond. A large group was camped at the trail side lean-to so I bid them good morning and made my way to the outlet of the pond.
I took a bearing straight up the peak, erring to the east to try to avoid the ledges I had read about. The woods were moderately thick in places but open enough to not draw any blood. Getting soaked by the vegetation provided some needed relief from the oppressive humidity. Needless to say I didn't err enough to the east and had to skirt a particularly large ledge band to find a seam safe enough to advance. HOLY LEDGES! I was expecting the ledge but ended up running into several other ledges along the hike - almost all of them easy to work around.
The clouds were lifting from the view-less peak when I arrived at what I figured was "close enough" to the summit. There were no views but the sun and a light wind helped to burn off some of the humidity and dry everything out. Stopping for first lunch, I decided to try descending by the NE ridge.
A few minutes off the summit I was minding my own business enjoying a pleasant ridge walk when BAM! You guessed it, another ledge. This one appeared 20-40ft tall in spots and had no direct route to avoid. After spending a few minutes searching, I resigned to return the way I came.
Back at the pond I was surprised to see 2 additional groups camping. When I camped at the pond earlier this year I didn't see another soul. A well deserved snack was enjoyed at the pond side lean-to where I contemplated adding on Bullhead Mt. I opted to save it for another time and made my way back towards Chimney. I 'cut the corner' and joined the Chimney Mt trail just in time for the steepest sections. The steep and super wide trail shows that it gets its fair share of use. Views were stellar from the true summit and from the Chimney area where I indulged in second lunch.
Puffer Mt from Chimney Mt
View from Chimney
A quick jaunt down and I was on my way home.
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