Northeast>hike>march 29-30th

[oldsoldier]

I dont recall if I was in on this or not, but, now, I'm not. I have a busy March, and likely will not get out at all. Sorry-was looking forward to getting a hike in, but, it just doesnt seem to be in the cards for me this time.

[Nighthauk]

During the winter the Arlington - West Wardsboro Rd is only open to the AT trail head from the east (Rt 100) side. From there you have to walk up the road -- which is open to snowmobiles in the winter -- about a mile to the trail-head for the Stratton Pond Trail, and about 2 miles to the top of the ridge where the Branch Pond Trail to Bourne Pond starts.

Which is to say the hike into Stratton Pond via the Stratton Pond Trail is about 5 miles in the winter, and the hike into Bourne Pond is about 6. The Branch Pond Trail can be a bit tricky to follow in the winter unless somebody else has been through recently and you can follow their footsteps.

I hiked the trail between Bourne Pond and Stratton Pond (the name escapes me at the moment) last summer and I would not attempt that in the winter unless I was prepared to bushwhack because losing the trail completely would be very likely.

Afreeman thank you for the update. A couple of us have been in there before a few times. I am anticipating that the road will be open all the way to the stratton Pond Trail by the time that we get in there. If not we will make adjustments as needed. The rest we will take as we get there.
I am thinking of meeting everyone at the intersection of Arlington/Stratton Rd and Rt.100 and everyone drive from there.

[SkyPainter]

I could possibly be in for this. I am retiring soon, and also leaving my other PT job. The fly in this ointment is the possibility I could be starting radiation therapy in March, based on further testing, and that would seriously take me out for the hike. The therapy would be 5 days a week, Mon thru Fri, for 7 weeks or so, with weekends off to try and let my body recover a little. Hiking would take more energy than I might have then. We'll see. I will keep up with this thread in case.

~ Sky

[Nighthauk]

Hope you can make it, but taking care of yourself for your family's sake is way more important. Keep us updated and let us know if there is anything that we can do.

[Tripod]

The fly in this ointment is the possibility I could be starting radiation therapy in March.

~ Sky

I know you have been battling this for a while. Hope this time it takes care of the issue. Be nice to have someone else in retirement with similar interests.

Joe

[SkyPainter]

I know you have been battling this for a while. Hope this time it takes care of the issue. Be nice to have someone else in retirement with similar interests.

Joe

====> Thank you, Joe. I look forward to more 'me time' this summer. Would be nice to hike and fish together sometime!

~ Sky

[shrineclown]

====> Thank you, Joe. I look forward to more 'me time' this summer. Would be nice to hike and fish together sometime!

~ Sky

Good luck Sky. Fish on.

[SkyPainter]

Good luck Sky. Fish on.

===> Thanks! I plan on it! I won't be an Instructor for LL Bean any more, so I will have time to fish myself now. I will still be an Instructor for the State, and have private students, but far less time commitments.

~ Sky. <o}}}}><

[Stargaze]

Did I miss fly fishing talk at the hang? Hmmm, next group hang we do we should wet a line.

[G...Hawk]

Looking for a March WinterHang Hike, just checked out the distance from NYC (Queens ) to Stratton : about 4.5 hours.

NJWinterHang Jan25-27
drivetime : 2.75hours

AT501PA HF group of 8 Feb16
drivetime : 3hours


Want to hang / hike every month. Prefer the AT.

A long drive, something to think about.


G