I called and left a message at Mt Washington HQ this morning asking for someone to call me back about trail conditions and campsite capacities plus mileage for trails.

Their VM message states that Mt. Everett Road is closed (on the PDF map that is the horizontal road that ends in a little hook at Mt Everett) and "the town road to Bish Bash Falls is closed. The only access is through New York. Take Rt. 22 to Copake Falls then Rt. 334 to the Bish Bash parking lot).

Hopefully they will call me back and I can find out the various shelters, campsites, mileage, and anything else you guys would like me to find out. (Just ask)

Couple of random points I covered w/ the ranger while on the phone:

- On the map (http://www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/trails/mwashington.pdf) the campground symbol right below the "Alander Mtn. Trail" wording is the only approved camping in all of Mt. Washington State Forest. It's certainly big enough to house all of us on flat ground.

- The lean-to at Alander Mtn. is an unmonitored cabin that used to be private for telecommunications company (I guess there is a tower up there) and not recommended for big groups.

- From the campground to summit of Alander Mtn. is 1.5 miles, he didn't quote me any other mileage, just referred me to the scale on the map.

- Hiking from the campground to Sages Ravine or Laurel Ridge campsites over in Mt. Everett State Reservation is a possibility, but they are lean-tos on the AT. So some of us may have to stay in the lean-to to conserve flat tent-pitching ground.

- East St. and West St., the two roads in between Mt. Washington and Mt. Everett are open, it's just Falls Rd. to Bash Bish Falls State Park that is closed, so you can only access from NY side.

- There is no limit to overnight campers, we just all need to sign in at HQ and sign out when we leave.

- There is water from spigot on side of Mt. Washington State Forest HQ, or you can grab water from Ashley Hill Brook as you hike to the campground from HQ.

- In Mass, trails are marked Blue, CT has different color. (not sure what it is, but just be aware if you hike south from the campground on Ashley Hill Trail and then head East on Mt. Frissell Trail...when from cross state lines the blazes change.)

- We're up to 5 confirmed, and a 6th possible attendee. If you are planning on coming let me know and I'll add you to the list posted above in the thread!

- The bridge that is out is passable via rocks, most people use the rocks ok.

Edited by bster13 on 10/17/2011 17:45:10 MDT.

http://www.berkshirehiking.com/hikes/mt_wash_forest.html

I went to the podiatrist today and found out that I did in fact break a metatarsal bone in my foot a week and a half ago on my trip in CA. So the injury is in the process of healing, but won't be healed until at least a month after it happened (Oct 29). But my foot feels fine in my old, non-UL Asolo Fugitives, and the doctor said it was healing up okay, so if the Saturday campsite is not too far from the TH, I might be in. I can ]only make Saturday, but if it was,say, under 5 miles from car to camp, I'd really like to meet some East Coast BPL'ers if my foot feels okay 11 days from now. Let me(us) know where y'all end up deciding to spend Saturday night. I optimistically have a Zipcar reserved for that day.

Hey Jim,

Glad to hear the foot is healing up well. It looks like from the Forest Headquarters parking lot @ the intersection of West St. and East St., the campground is a ~3 mi hike in. We'll all meet there Friday night.

As for where we'll be camping Saturday night, I would like to get to the AT and camp at Sages Ravine for the night, but that's a really big day considering the majority's wish to do hikes <10mi per day. We'd also have to shuttle cars.

So unless someone comes up with another idea, I am thinking we're camping at the campground, 3mi to the West of the Forest HQ Friday and Saturday night as well.

For Saturday day hike (and possibly Sunday day hikes if people don't need to jet out too quick Sunday) here is my idea:

Saturday...

- Do an ~8.5 mi loop around Alander Mtn with great views and then back to camp.

Then on Sunday...

- Hike ~3mi back to the parking lot at Forest HQ Sunday morning and if people need to leave they're all set, otherwise those with the time can drive to a different part of the are for a continued day hike (Bash Bish Fall anyone? It's one of the biggest in the state).

Any other thoughts and suggestions?

#1 Bryce F.
#2 Walter C.
#3 Ryan L.
#4 Steven A. (maybe)
#5 Ben E.
#6 Philip W.
#7 Konrad C. (maybe)
#8 Konrad C. Guest (maybe)
#9 Ben E. (maybe)

If I've missed someone, please let me know!

Edited by bster13 on 10/13/2011 05:55:19 MDT.

I like the location idea. And I'm looking forward to the trip. I'll try to bring some... refreshments.

I am currently carless, though. And I'm wondering if anyone from the Boston area will be open to carpooling. I get off work Thursday at 9pm in the North end. The toughest part is I don't think I can get out of a Sunday shift at noon 10/23.

Naturally, I really want to get out and backpack with y'all. I admite to a learning curve in the NE geography. This place is huge.

I can be in Hartford, CT at 9:45 Friday 10/21. I suppose the biggest problem is my Sunday shift, I'll see if I can get it covered. I didn't expect backpacking would make me want a car so bad. But it really is the only thing that does.

Thank you Steven and Bryce for the PM's! I apologize in advance for not taking the time to get back to you all earlier.
I'm 100% interested, but will be starting a new job on the 17th, and I'm not sure if that will tie up my weekend. Do you need a definitive headcount or is there room for 2 of us (Me + GF) to tag along last minute? I will try my best to attend, and I'm really excited about the idea of meeting some local BPL'ers. Thanks for spearheading this!

Ben, where do you work in the North End?

Steven, I just clicked on the BPL member map...you live in Coolidge Corner!? Ah! I live in Washington Square...I could probably see you from my apt window :D Really awesome, had no idea we were only blocks away.

Edited by Konrad1013 on 10/13/2011 02:21:55 MDT.

I'll be hiking in in the dark, probably 9 PM at the earliest. We should have some kind of BPL-Bat-Signal :)

I will also only have whatever map was on the Mt Washington Forest website, so maybe not the most detailed thing to follow late at night. Hopefully I can find everyone without getting lost!

@Konrad: No definite # needed prior to the trip. In fact, might be better to just sign in at the Forest HQ as a private party when you arrive Friday night. But the ranger seemed pretty chill.

Here's the list thus far!

#1 Bryce F.
#2 Walter C.
#3 Ryan L.
#4 Steven A. (maybe)
#5 Ben E.
#6 Philip W.
#7 Konrad C. (maybe)
#8 Konrad C. Guest (maybe)
#9 Ben E. (maybe)

Edited by bster13 on 10/13/2011 11:32:16 MDT.

I haven't heard back from the job proposition yet so I don't think it will happen before the hike weekend at this point.

I am in Brookline near Coolidge Corner, have a car and can carry another 4, but... my dog will be coming along, he can ride in the back if we don't overload it with gear, otherwise he generally prefers to ride in the back seat. So as long as your not allergic to dogs I can provide a ride. I'm flexible as far as time so it would just be about coordinating with those I'm giving a ride to.

Hi All,

I'm bummed, but I have to bow out on this one. It's great to see the regional enthusiasm though, and I look forward to pics.

Awesome a New England BPL gathering!

This is the first I have caught wind of this. I would be interested in joining up. I have hiked multiple times around MT. Everett/ Race Brook area near by.

I live in Maine now but will be finishing painting a house near Springfield, MA next week. I could shoot over after Im finished. I have not gotten out nearly enough this summer.

sweet!

After 3 weeks inspecting storm damaged homes in the hoods of Philadelphia I'd enjoy getting out with you all, seeing your gear and hearing some stories. Is any one coming down from Maine who might like to carpool?

So cool to see this finally coming together after much talk through the years. Keep it up. You all will have a great time. At the GGG everyone comes back for more.

These little events are easy enough to manage. Just takes one person to pull things together and form a loose plan. Good on you Ben, and Bryce!

Edited by kthompson on 10/15/2011 08:25:02 MDT.

From what I can tell, let me know if I made any mistakes:

#1 Bryce F. <- Norwalk, CT (available to carpool)
#2 Walter C. <- Mass.
#3 Ryan L. <- Keene, NH (ok to carpool)
#4 Steven A. <- Boston, MA
#5 Ben E. <- Boston, MA (needs a ride)
#6 Philip W. <- Boston area
#7 Konrad C. <- Boston (maybe)
#8 Konrad C. Guest <- Boston (maybe)
#9 Clint H <- Maine
#10 Eric J. <- Maine (looking to carpool)
#11 Seth R <- NYC (maybe)
#12 Jim M <- NYC (maybe)

Edited by bster13 on 10/16/2011 10:31:22 MDT.

First, Konrad, I work at Hilton's Tent City. Maybe you've been there. It's a great, great job. Only cuben in the store though are granite gear drysacks. I'm pretty psyched to be working with this stuff now. Steven and Konrad, we should go on another trip together in the Whites sometime. Or grab a beer to plan the stuff. Right now I live in Malden, but it's close enough to do some more backpacking.

On the upcoming weekend though, I've got no work Friday and Saturday edit: and Sunday. I am more than happy to pitch in for gas if someone wants to carpool and go for a night or two. Just so long as I'm at North Station by noon Monday. Showering is optional.

Edited by benjammin21 on 10/19/2011 17:49:50 MDT.

I'm actually coming from Keene, NH, not Maine. I would love to carpool, but I can only come down Friday after 6 pm or early Saturday morning. Anybody making that drive from Boston want to meet at a park & ride on the Pike?

Sunset is around 6pm.

I want to arrive before 3pm. That should give me plenty of time to setup camp in the daylight.

Thoughts?

Just wanted to chime in.

I am definitely coming. I'll probably be leaving mid-day on Friday to avoid having to hike in the dark. I can drive 2 people if you can get to the Malden Center T station by noonish - split gas of course.

I'd be up for a big hike on Saturday (15 miles or so) and camping in Sages Ravine, which is really a nice place (if I remember correctly.) Just putting my vote in. I'll bring my hamster wheel if people insist on a shorter hike!

I'm bringing a cuben tarp for Ryan to borrow, but I am also suffering from an excess of other UL shelters at the moment and would be happy to bring more along if people want to try them out. PM me if you're interested - you'll need to bring your own stakes and guyline though. Poles will help too. :-)

Gossamer Gear Cubic Twin (2 person)
Gossamer Gear SpinnShelter (1 person)

Philip Werner