TR -- le cul de Pleasant Mountain

[el-bagr]

Here's a few pictures and a brief report from a trip I took 2/8/04 on the unassumingly-named Pleasant Mountain, here in Maine.

Shawnee Peak ski area occupies the northern face of this old volcanic pluton. Beyond the ski area, the ridgeline stretches to the south through open (for eastern standards) piney ridges cut by several hardwood valleys. The morning began by climbing beyond the top of the lift and into the woods beyond. The trail is blazed for hiking in summer -- and for a few who know how to find it in winter.

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Beyond and above the ski area, the route climbs moderately through fields of snow between openly-spaced pines.

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These fields are filled with blueberries in late summer; the bushes help hold the snow down on this otherwise fairly windswept ridge.

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Climbs are interspersed with short descents along the ridge, making waxing skills come in handy.

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The White Mountains are visible several dozen miles to the NW.

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Moose Pond, at the base of the mountain, is a perfect field of white today.

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Three relatively deep gorges slice across the ridgeline. While they do make for interesting open descents down to the lakeside at the base of the mountain, my objective for the day is the southernmost peak along the ridge. The descent down to the gorge floors makes for fun turns among the beeches, followed by a short climb back out.

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More White Mountains scenery, featuring the dome of Kearsarge N -- another great ski tour.

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No more pics beyond this point, but the ridgeline route continues on several more miles to the fire tower on the second-to-southernmost peak. It's a quick jaunt from there through open beeches to my turnaround point. Back N of the tower, I can't resist ripping down alongside the well-packed Fire Warden's trail; sure, it's a 1500' climb back up, but then again it also was 1500' of downhill delight. The trip back along the ridgeline goes smoothly, and from there it's a simple schuss down the now-closed-for-the-night ski area back to the bottom.

A great day in Maine. Due to fire history and piney crests, this mountain feels more western than most here in the upper-right corner.

[Luddite]

Dang, the snow looks pretty good! I was in Greenwood a couple weeks ago and all the bc was breakable crust, you got some storm I missed?

[el-bagr]

- on open north-facing slopes: base covering rocks, with 6" of heavy powder on top of that, 0.25" of breakable crust, topped off with 1" wind-blown powder
- on open ridgelines: base covering rocks, with 6" of heavy powder on top of that, 0.25" of breakable crust, scoured clean and shiny by the wind
- on forested north-facing slopes and all south-facing slopes: base covering rocks, with 8-10" of heavy powder on top of that

Greenwood, eh? Ever ski Mt Abram? Or how about my new find, Spruce Mountain in Woodstock (next town over)? There is some great skiing to be had there, and you won't see a soul. Kind of like Guido's, I think, but far from Manchvegas.

[Luddite]

- on open north-facing slopes: base covering rocks, with 6" of heavy powder on top of that, 0.25" of breakable crust, topped off with 1" wind-blown powder
- on open ridgelines: base covering rocks, with 6" of heavy powder on top of that, 0.25" of breakable crust, scoured clean and shiny by the wind
- on forested north-facing slopes and all south-facing slopes: base covering rocks, with 8-10" of heavy powder on top of that

Greenwood, eh? Ever ski Mt Abram? Or how about my new find, Spruce Mountain in Woodstock (next town over)? There is some great skiing to be had there, and you won't see a soul. Kind of like Guido's, I think, but far from Manchvegas.

:) Luddite here=Las Gotas on the other board. We ski Abram a lot because it's perfect for families and affordable. Checked out the topo, Spruce looks interesting. Been eyeing a route in the Maine Mtn. Bike book called the Mt Abram trail that runs from Sodom Rd in Bethel down to near Norway. Must be some good lines in there somewhere. Heard some rumors bout Streaked Mtn too...

[el-bagr]

:D We all wear multiple hats. :D Good to connect!

Streaked has some good runs. When it's snowy enough, you can go down the face where the power lines (overhead and in the pipe) run. Needs a fair amount of coverage. You can always go down the hiking trail (to descender's left of the power lines) but it has foot traffic and is rather eroded, making it a bit of a chute. (This is all off the Streaked Mtn Rd, in Hebron I think.) I just took a look at the topo (http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?lat=44.24694&lon=-70.41944) and it looks like there could be some goods off to the E of all this; that we will have to explore!

I'd be interested to learn more about the Mt. Abram Trail route. I'll try to dig up a copy of the book.

[Skilasnow]

That's some of the best pics of the season!! :skiplow: Shaweet! Thanks El-uber-bagr