BIG Indian/Fir, Oct 8
Posted: Thu Oct 09, 2014 6:23 pm
It was supposed to be a cloudy day so I headed over to the Biscuit Brook TH for a hike into the “viewless range”. After a brief, stiff ascent, it was an easy 45 minutes to the lean-to. After the brook crossing, I stayed on the trail to Big Indian- the climb was pleasant with a brook to the side, some impressive trees and a few ledges. I was hoping to do Eagle but after I spotted Fir Mtn through the trees, I decided there would not be enough time, it looked pretty far off. The sun was out but once at the 3500 foot mark, clouds rolled overhead and a stiff wind blew over Big Indian’s gnarled, forested shoulder. I reached the canister in 2:15. After the leaving the summit towards the col, I got disoriented and ended up on a rock with a nice view of the Slide-Table area. The foliage peak is fading fast.
The trip across the col was difficult with ledge bands, dense balsam thickets and beech branch “fencing”. I should of brought safety glasses as i got whipped across the face and eye. I found a footpath in the divide then quickly lost it due to downed leaves and ended up a on a rock with a view down the Biscuit Brook valley. I ambled up, went in circles on the broad north summit, then found a path to the south, true summit and the canister. It took 1:50 to go across the col to the Fir canister. From the summit, I followed a footpath southwest but lost it at a ledge drop, then pushed down to the stream, hitting the marked trail above the lean-to (40 mins). I stopped at the lean-to for a much needed rest- nice spot- then back to the TH. Total time 6hr. 30 mins. No one else around- last name in register was on Oct. 5., Slide PA was empty too, a few cars at Giant Ledge PA.
The trip across the col was difficult with ledge bands, dense balsam thickets and beech branch “fencing”. I should of brought safety glasses as i got whipped across the face and eye. I found a footpath in the divide then quickly lost it due to downed leaves and ended up a on a rock with a view down the Biscuit Brook valley. I ambled up, went in circles on the broad north summit, then found a path to the south, true summit and the canister. It took 1:50 to go across the col to the Fir canister. From the summit, I followed a footpath southwest but lost it at a ledge drop, then pushed down to the stream, hitting the marked trail above the lean-to (40 mins). I stopped at the lean-to for a much needed rest- nice spot- then back to the TH. Total time 6hr. 30 mins. No one else around- last name in register was on Oct. 5., Slide PA was empty too, a few cars at Giant Ledge PA.