Hiking Gear

Since I primarily solo hike, I tend to take extra gear along, even on a half day hike, to allow an extended stay outdoors in the event of illness or accident.

Clothing

I have found that since I enjoy early morning departures, there is usually enough morning dew that I'm pretty wet even when the weather is nice.  For that reason I never wear cotton or dungarees when hiking.  I have a number of nylon long-slevved hiking shirts whose sleeves I can roll up once the temps climb later in the day.  They are 100% nylon with a vented back and wick away moisture for quick drying.  I choose the same nylon for my pants which are convertibles, long pants with zip off bottoms to convert them into shorts when temps start to soar.  I found Cabela's Great Trail pants were a good value when on sale with plenty of large cargo pockets and a side zipper on the lower lags, so they can be pulled over my hiking boots without removing my footwear when convertu=ing to shorts.

Speaking of footwear, my favorite hiking shoe is the Merrell Moab Mid boot which gives me the ankle support I need.  It is a light boot and the gore tex inner liner keeps my feet nice and dry.  Even wading through streams I find these dry out very quickly back on the trail.

I always carry extra dry socks, a woolen cap and synthetic fleece in a dry sack, even when the weather is warm.  Even on the warmest days, night times can get cold in the white mountains, especially once autumn rolls around.  Finally, I keep two pieced of rain gear, first, a nylon waterproof shell which I can use by itself or with the fleece.  It is well vented and lightweight.  I also carry a rainproof cover for my pack, to keep in at least partially dry in a driving rain.

Backpack

I have used a Kelty Redwing 2650 for years but found I'm starting to get some back pain, especially between the shoulders.  I was told that Kelty started adding load lifting straps to their larger daypacks for added comfort so I decided to look at a more conformal pack.  Kelty made a similar 44 liter pack, but not with a large belt size so I moved up to the Kelty Redwing 50.

This pack is great.  There are nice pass through side containers to stow hiking poles and enough room for a weekend overnight hike requiring tent and sleeping bag.  At the same time, it's compression straps allow for a nice compact profile with the smaller loads on a day hike.  So far, I have loved the adjustability of the Redwing 50 and it is proving to be a very comfortable pack.  Typically, I carry 20 lbs. even, including almost 7 lbs. (3 liters) of water in the hydration pack.  I include the Ten Essentials, recommended for solo hiking:

1. Navigation

I carry a topi map and Silva ranger compass for basic land navigation.  I also have a Garmin 64s GPS for electronic navigation and tracking.  Spare batteries for the GPS and a spare power pack for the cell phone.

2. Sun protection

Typically, I use a visored hiking cap as well as polarized sunglasses.

3. Insulation

Even in warm weather, you never know how conditions will change, so I carry a fleece, dry socks and a woolen cap, all in a watertight sack.

4. Illuminatio

A headlamp is preferred for hands-free use.

5. First-aid supplies

A hiker's first aid kit.

6. Fire

A butane lighter.

7. Repair kit and tools

A Buck knife and a multi-tool as well as 25 ft. of paracord.

8. Nutrition

Food supply for the day and then some.

9. Hydration

3 liter hydration bladder

10. Emergency shelter

A reflective blanket.

I keep the smaller items in two waterproof pelican cases, which do add some weight.  I prefer the security of keeping these supplies in a waterproof enclosure.

Hiking Poles

I find a good set of hiking poles are great to provide balance, and especially to take load off the knees when hiking downhill over rocky terrain.  My favor are carbon composite  Komperdell  poles which are extremely light.  They break down to an amazingly small length, joined by shock core, yet the upper third can telescope for height adjustment.  

These are also equipped with a sharp carbide tip to prevent slipping on wet rock or roots.

Willard Brook State Forest: Friend's Trail

Maps, Elevations and Summary

Distance: 4.1 miles
Elevation Gain:  757 ft.
Total Time: 2.5 hrs.

Trail Report

It was supposed to be the sunny day on the weekend, ideal for a new hike so I set out to Pearl Hill State Park in Townsend, MA.  The Friends of Willard Brook Assoc. had established a new trail which stretched from the Pearl Hill parking area to Damon Pond, a favorite swimming destination in Ashby, MA.  I was trying out a new pack, a Kelty Redwing 50, so I thought I'd keep the hike short and simple in case there were problems with the new system.
Arriving at the parking area around 6:30 a.m., there was not a should to be seen and the lot was completely empty.  A bunch of large ravens were perched on branches on the edge of Pearl Hill Brook Pond, which was covered with a layer of fog.  Day parking was posted as $8.00, but there was no one there to take the money.  Banking that my car wouldn't be towed and that I could pay later, I slipped into boots and pack and headed to find the trail.
The trail is marked by either rectangular painted yellow blazes or yellow plastic diamonds.  Starting near the ranger station, it was a quick walk down the paved road and over the brook to find the sign marking the Friends Trail and plunged directly into the woods.  The dense pines make for a pretty shaded and dark forest, which would be consistent for the entire hike, perfect for a hot, sunny day.  This wasn't the case today, the sky, contrary to the forecast, was completely overcast and the temperature was in the low 60's.  The rain from the night before was still dripping from the tree canopy, so it was't too long before I was getting damp.
The trail rolls up and down small hills as it parallels roads which border some campsites.  A red trail, marked with a beaver blaze, heads off down to a beaver pond viewing area.  After 1.0 miles, the trail crossed a dirt road and a small footbridge led across a gully which contained a barely trickling brook. The trail turns sharply to the right and climbs to Vinton Pond road, which was crossed at 1.2 miles.
Right next to the road, there was a large boulder which turned out to be a good place to take a break for breakfast pf a peach and apple.  The trail here was not very well marked, but a footpath was visible to the northwest, heading across an open meadow which looked as if it had been  an apple orchard at one time.  Following the trail through the waist high grass left my pants soaking wet in no time at all.  At the end of the meadow, the trail plunges into tangles mixture of vines and small trees with barely a footpath to follow.  An occasional yellow blaze pointed out the trail and in short order leads to the base of the bid climb of the trail, up Rattlesnake Hill.
The climb is a not too steep, a 300 foot elevation gain over about 0.5 miles and the trail is a mix of flat rock and dirt.  Even wet, as it was this morning, it wasn't particularly slippery.  The ascent was densely wooded and the switchbacks meandered through a number of moss covered glacial erratics.  At the top of the climb, I found a nice boulder to use as  break spot, have some water and catch my breath before starting out again.  AT this point the trail levels out and parallels the ridge line, perhaps50 feet below the summit of Rattlesnake hill.  There were no obvious side trails to the summit,  but the lack of breaks in the trees suggest the summit would be wooded with little the way of views.  After a short time, a tree appeared with a sign "Halfway point.  Consider how long it took you to reach this spot."  Here is where I lost the trail.
Continuing on the trail, I realized it was decreasing in elevation which was not apparent from the trail map.  However, it seemed to head due north so as to intersect with the dirt fire road which was planned to I continued.  There is a large swamp on the summit of the hill, causing a bank of fog to flow down the hill and obscure part of the trail.  After continuing the descent, the trail intersected the dirt road below the intended junction, so i headed up hill to reach the intended crossing.  Following the intended route would have saved some of the uphill road climb and in the future, I will try to identify the intended Friends trail.
Following Fort Hill rd. for a short time, the trail entered the first near a locked gate across the road.  Make sure you don't miss the short right turn at the gate, it is not well marked!  The trail dow descends through the forest, weaving around campsites and a spooky old barn to finally emerge at the parking area for Damon Pond.  At this point it was drizzling  so I paused to din rain gear and a pack cover and found a picnic table to wait at for my ride back to Pearl Hill.   The bridge near the picnic area gives nice views of Beaver Brook.

Just across the street is Damon Pond, which has a swimming beach and some rest rooms for changing.  On a nice, hot summer day, a cool dip would make a nice end to the hike.

It has come to my attention that the Friends of Willard Brook Association no longer exists.  I hope that some organization will continue maintenance of the trail.

Invoking the Muse

Robert Frost (1874–1963).  Mountain Interval.  1920.

1. The Road Not Taken

TWO roads diverged in a yellow wood, And sorry I could not travel both And be one traveler, long I stood And looked down one as far as I could To where it bent in the undergrowth;         5   Then took the other, as just as fair, And having perhaps the better claim, Because it was grassy and wanted wear; Though as for that the passing there Had worn them really about the same,         10   And both that morning equally lay In leaves no step had trodden black. Oh, I kept the first for another day! Yet knowing how way leads on to way, I doubted if I should ever come back.         15   I shall be telling this with a sigh Somewhere ages and ages hence: Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference.         20

I've always loved this poem.  In my youth, I read Frost often and although his poetry has been deemed simplistic drivel by some, his descriptions of a bucolic life in New Hampshire always represented a world far from the noise, crime and filth of my native New York City of the late 60's and early 70's.  Now, many years later and living in New England, I've decided to spend more time exploring the outdoors, not just to improve my physical and mental health, but also to celebrate living in the "Ithaka" of my youth.  Although it is written for my own benefit, perhaps some others might read it and find inspiration to visit some of these locations for a pleasant immersion in some of the natural beauty New England has to offer.  Enjoy!