Summary:
Having trouble with photos - will add in separate post.
We have not hiked ADK's since January so with the change in State COVID phases, a positive vibe from the discussion thread on this forum about if visitors are welcome, the tail end of mud season(?) and an apparent hiatus with black fly feeding we decided to role the dice and try for Big Slide via the 3 Brothers and Lower Wolfjaw.
We were watching weather for a few cool days and decided to try Sunday evening to Tuesday. Weather report had lows in 40s at trail head. We planned to camp with a bit of elevation to lower that.
We arrived at Garden Sunday afternoon getting on trail around 4pm. Very thankful to find a spot. Plan B (always have a plan B) was to park at Meadows and use Klondike Notch. Garden was open to full capacity with a self submission for fee.
Started off with full packs. We are not "ultralight" but rather "pretty light." Daughter's pack is 40L and mine is 45L (with bear barrel I usually string a bit of gear along outside).
Passed a few hiking parties on way down, ceding trail and social distancing as we passed. Bumped into a friendly fellow who inquired about our camping site plans, hiking during mud season and overall theme that the High Peaks are being loved to death. We agree and are modifying our long range plans to spend more time on lessor used trails. There was mention of the Jan 2021(?) ban on camping in non designated spots. Our Sunday night plan was to use a non designated spot following the distancing guidelines. Happy to adjust all future plans prior to Jan 2021 to use designated spots exclusively in the High Peaks area.
A side track here: my first foray into the High Peaks with my daughter was into Flowed Lands. When we got in there all designated spots were taken. Rules dictate you can share but some parties are less eager to do so and some parties were, well, partying. Not interested in joining the party with my daughter along. So we have used designated sites when possible but also really do enjoy bushwhacking off trail the required distance and stringing up our hammocks. Also, with COVID I think the shared lean-to concept is suspended from a practical perspective. So our new plans will be: hike days and seasons where less crowded - a win/win. Book sites from ADK Loj as base-camps. When back country plan for areas with multiple tents sites within close proximity. And of course, bring flashlights - may be on trail longer than expected.
Anyways - back to trip report. I highly recommend the 3 Brothers approach to Big Slide. It reminded us of a miniature version of Giant from New Russia. You get up there and are hiking along with many views. Our first night we were just gobsmacked with the view from 1st brother so found a place to string up hammocks behind ledge back in the bush. Had 1st Brother view for dinner, sunset and breakfast.
Second day we broke camp, completed short jaunt to 2nd Brother, on to third and dropped packs at junction with slide brook trail. Went up ladders to Big Slide peak. Shared peak with 2-3 other parties on this Monday morning. A bit of mud on trail. Not much more than we have seen before but we had committed to turning around if the trails looked beat. We thought they were ok and were happy to rock hop and walk down the middle of the mud. No bypassing/expanding any part of the trail.
Full packed down Slide Brook Trail, crossed John's Brook and started up Wolfjaw Trail. I was thinking of the lean to but the first tent site on the trail was perfect for hammocks, had a great slab "beach" on brook and allowed us to empty out our packs sooner than later. Home sweet home.
Set up camp, had a snack. Repacked bags for day trip mode and off we went to Lower Wolfjaw. Last party of trail to Lower Wolf Jaw involves many scrambles. Only passed one other party. Did not linger on peak - we had flashlights but was worried about losing daylight to ridge-line so headed back to camp.
Crawled into the sack for a wonderful night's sleep. It was cool but we had the gear so no worries.
Tue morning was a slow break camp and walk out to Garden. We are pretty sure this is where the few skeeter bites we got came from. Warmer day, proximity to water and lower elevation. If you kept moving you could stay ahead of them but any stops to enjoy the day invited them in.
Things that worked well:
We used a eucalyptus based bug spray that had a strong scent. It was effective, no worries about damaging gear or clothing and we did not mind applying it as needed. Picture "morning breath" from a koala.
I was unsure about water on the brothers so we invested in a cheapo collapsible 1L water bag. Came in very handy. Nice not to have empty jugs clanking around on exterior of pack.
Things we will change:
We have a small stove/pot combo we usually bring. Brought a larger one this time for the added dishes. Too big, less easy to use. Will be retiring that one.
Food: This is a reoccurring issue for us. I think we are giving up on commercial backpacking food. After exertion, we find it difficult to get down. We start using camp stove when we BBQ at home to perfect some healthy, easy choices. We keep on ending up eating fruit, crackers and snacks and no base meals. So as trip goes on have less and less energy.
I burn HEET in my alky stove. Usually easy to find but came up dry this trip after three stores. The Mountaineer in Keene came through with designated stove alcohol. Both are methanol. I will source my fuel a few weeks prior to trip. This is weird because these days we really try to reduce trips to stores - any stores. Mountaineer had exceptional covid safety practices in effect.
We have to camp due to distance (5-6 hours away), budget and preference. Will focus planning on future trips to overnight at rented or designated sites. Will target areas with multiple tents sites and weekdays or off season. We enjoy winter camping / hiking so this is not a huge hardship.
- Black Flies: There but not a problem.
- Mud: On trails not benefiting from full sun but manageable.
- Weather: perfect. Cool.
- Water: In between Slide and 3rd brother seems to be only reliable source on that trail. A few trickling brooks were there but we like to filter from a full babbling brook.
Having trouble with photos - will add in separate post.
We have not hiked ADK's since January so with the change in State COVID phases, a positive vibe from the discussion thread on this forum about if visitors are welcome, the tail end of mud season(?) and an apparent hiatus with black fly feeding we decided to role the dice and try for Big Slide via the 3 Brothers and Lower Wolfjaw.
We were watching weather for a few cool days and decided to try Sunday evening to Tuesday. Weather report had lows in 40s at trail head. We planned to camp with a bit of elevation to lower that.
We arrived at Garden Sunday afternoon getting on trail around 4pm. Very thankful to find a spot. Plan B (always have a plan B) was to park at Meadows and use Klondike Notch. Garden was open to full capacity with a self submission for fee.
Started off with full packs. We are not "ultralight" but rather "pretty light." Daughter's pack is 40L and mine is 45L (with bear barrel I usually string a bit of gear along outside).
Passed a few hiking parties on way down, ceding trail and social distancing as we passed. Bumped into a friendly fellow who inquired about our camping site plans, hiking during mud season and overall theme that the High Peaks are being loved to death. We agree and are modifying our long range plans to spend more time on lessor used trails. There was mention of the Jan 2021(?) ban on camping in non designated spots. Our Sunday night plan was to use a non designated spot following the distancing guidelines. Happy to adjust all future plans prior to Jan 2021 to use designated spots exclusively in the High Peaks area.
A side track here: my first foray into the High Peaks with my daughter was into Flowed Lands. When we got in there all designated spots were taken. Rules dictate you can share but some parties are less eager to do so and some parties were, well, partying. Not interested in joining the party with my daughter along. So we have used designated sites when possible but also really do enjoy bushwhacking off trail the required distance and stringing up our hammocks. Also, with COVID I think the shared lean-to concept is suspended from a practical perspective. So our new plans will be: hike days and seasons where less crowded - a win/win. Book sites from ADK Loj as base-camps. When back country plan for areas with multiple tents sites within close proximity. And of course, bring flashlights - may be on trail longer than expected.
Anyways - back to trip report. I highly recommend the 3 Brothers approach to Big Slide. It reminded us of a miniature version of Giant from New Russia. You get up there and are hiking along with many views. Our first night we were just gobsmacked with the view from 1st brother so found a place to string up hammocks behind ledge back in the bush. Had 1st Brother view for dinner, sunset and breakfast.
Second day we broke camp, completed short jaunt to 2nd Brother, on to third and dropped packs at junction with slide brook trail. Went up ladders to Big Slide peak. Shared peak with 2-3 other parties on this Monday morning. A bit of mud on trail. Not much more than we have seen before but we had committed to turning around if the trails looked beat. We thought they were ok and were happy to rock hop and walk down the middle of the mud. No bypassing/expanding any part of the trail.
Full packed down Slide Brook Trail, crossed John's Brook and started up Wolfjaw Trail. I was thinking of the lean to but the first tent site on the trail was perfect for hammocks, had a great slab "beach" on brook and allowed us to empty out our packs sooner than later. Home sweet home.
Set up camp, had a snack. Repacked bags for day trip mode and off we went to Lower Wolfjaw. Last party of trail to Lower Wolf Jaw involves many scrambles. Only passed one other party. Did not linger on peak - we had flashlights but was worried about losing daylight to ridge-line so headed back to camp.
Crawled into the sack for a wonderful night's sleep. It was cool but we had the gear so no worries.
Tue morning was a slow break camp and walk out to Garden. We are pretty sure this is where the few skeeter bites we got came from. Warmer day, proximity to water and lower elevation. If you kept moving you could stay ahead of them but any stops to enjoy the day invited them in.
Things that worked well:
We used a eucalyptus based bug spray that had a strong scent. It was effective, no worries about damaging gear or clothing and we did not mind applying it as needed. Picture "morning breath" from a koala.
I was unsure about water on the brothers so we invested in a cheapo collapsible 1L water bag. Came in very handy. Nice not to have empty jugs clanking around on exterior of pack.
Things we will change:
We have a small stove/pot combo we usually bring. Brought a larger one this time for the added dishes. Too big, less easy to use. Will be retiring that one.
Food: This is a reoccurring issue for us. I think we are giving up on commercial backpacking food. After exertion, we find it difficult to get down. We start using camp stove when we BBQ at home to perfect some healthy, easy choices. We keep on ending up eating fruit, crackers and snacks and no base meals. So as trip goes on have less and less energy.
I burn HEET in my alky stove. Usually easy to find but came up dry this trip after three stores. The Mountaineer in Keene came through with designated stove alcohol. Both are methanol. I will source my fuel a few weeks prior to trip. This is weird because these days we really try to reduce trips to stores - any stores. Mountaineer had exceptional covid safety practices in effect.
We have to camp due to distance (5-6 hours away), budget and preference. Will focus planning on future trips to overnight at rented or designated sites. Will target areas with multiple tents sites and weekdays or off season. We enjoy winter camping / hiking so this is not a huge hardship.
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