Lower Great Range- Backpack
Lower Wolf Jaw #10- 4,175'
Upper Wolf Jaw #11- 4,185'
Armstrong #12- 4,400'
Gothics #13- 4,736'
2 Days/1 Night
Day 1 10mi. 4900' elev gain, 10 hrs
Clear, beautiful starry skies. 46 degrees at 3:30 a.m. Easy to moderate hike up Rooster Comb and Hedgehog. 2.5 hrs to Hedgehog summit. Steep descent into Lower Wolf Jaw saddle. Steep ascent to Lower Wolf Jaw summit. Slabby and rooty, very steep pitches. A few muddy sections, overall pretty dry. Nice views of Big Slide and Whiteface from LWJ. 4 hrs to summit.
- Another steep ascent up UWJ. Treacherous. Hornets' nest right below summit! Tree marked off with pink tape right below it. Beautiful views of Basin, Marcy, Haystack, & the Macintyres. 5hr 48 min to UWJ summit.
- Ascent up Armstrong was intense! Tall ladder in the saddle between Arm & UWJ, root choked, steep slab climbs, relentless climb. 6hr 44 min to the summit. Incredible views of the upper great range and macyntres. Pretty cold, lower 40s, very windy, but sunny.
- Ascent up Gothics wasn't so bad. Steep in sections. Muddiest part of the trip. Spectacular views! 360 degrees. Possibly the best in the High Peaks? Sunny, light wind, mid to upper 50s. 7hrs 38 min to summit. Descent down the west side of Gothics was incredible. My favorite so far. Steep, clean slabs connected by rubber cables, amazing views of Basin and Haystack. You feel at times that you could be out west somewhere on this trail. Finally got to the Orebed lean-to after a never ending descent.
- Warm and sunny. Upper 60s, no bugs, ample water from the slide down to the lean-to. Couple of springs, no one at the shelter.
- Lean-to has 3 campsites and a great water source. 2,562' elev
Day 2- 6.2 mi.
- Upper 40s in the a.m, clear skies, no wind.
- Hike along John's Brook was gorgeous. very few hikers along the way, easy going. Be careful on the Southside Trail! Its been abandoned and towards the end, trail finding is very tricky. Treacherous, eroded, full of blowdowns, but worth it. The most beautiful pools and riparian areas thus far can be found along this stretch of the brook. Crystal clear water, deep pools, rugged scenery. Much quieter and peaceful return compared to the Northside trail through JBL. Didn't see a soul. Trail leaves you at the head of a small community of cabins. Follow road through them to the main road that leads to the Garden and route 73.
Wildlife: White Throated Sparrows
Avg elev gain/mi./ 306.7'