Goose Eye, 99 of Winter New England 100 Highest
Great day to be out in the mountains. Started off mostly cloudy, some very light flurries (the slow motion kind, purty). But the sun broke through around 2pm and blue sky took over -- of course, _after_ I was well on my way down off the summit.
Still, had great views, and thrilled to now be at 99 of a second round of the New England 100 Highest, this one in Winter. On the summit I looked longingly east, past the east peak of Goose Eye and along the ridge to Old Speck, and toward Baldpate -- which should be #100 in the next week or two.
Old logging road off Success Pond Road was not plowed (didn't expect it would be), and didn't see any evidence of any human travel on it or the Goose Eye Trail. Lots of moose, though, lower and higher. I saw more fresh evidence on my way down, too, that wasn't there when I hiked in.
One moose poached my trail, the bugga!
Snowshoes the whole time, broke trail from car to summit on this solo hike. Snow is pretty well consolidated, but is showing signs of softening up. Steps were stopped at 12-18" max, not bad. Was able to stay with the trail for much of the way until just before the summit cone, where some minor blowdowns messed with things. Here, I kept ascending pretty much straight up, but did keep left to come up the ridge and onto the cone; don't go right as you approach the cone, or you'll need your ice/rock climbing gear!
Great mountain. Had planned to finish on it, but chose instead to finish with friends on Baldpate. This was a great penultimate peak, though, and a nod toward my love of solo hiking. I'm so thankful to be able to do this stuff; it brings a lot of joy to my life.