South Bessemer Road 1.27.06

A little short on time I had to pick something quite close. The Middle Fork Road was quite potholed as I made my way to the CCC Road that starts between the bridge crossing the Middle Fork and the Taylor River Turnoff. I usually cut the corners on this route because the forest is open and the grade only moderate, but for today's purpose I was quite content to just walk the road. I encountered snow around 3000ft and switched to snowshoes shortly thereafter. The packed trail ends around 3600ft and I continued on breaking trail in the quite deep snow. Even my long legged dog Tanner was forced to follow me due to the deep snow. I was hoping for the saddle between South Bessemer and Moolock Mt. but I stopped around 4100ft and hurried back to the truck making it back after it had been quite dark for some time.

Lake Hancock Road 1.16.06

I figured the snow level would be quite low, so I was looking for a low elevation start. I decided to access Hancock lake via the North




Fork Rd. The way is blocked by an elephant gate, which was open. I chose to park since I did not have a permit. The road is in an active logging area so special care with the dogs was in order. The road was mostly bare for the 4.5 miles to the lake. I backtracked a bit and continued on the main line of the road until around 3100ft. I hope to use this approach, with the use of a mountain bike in the spring, to climb Hancock's Comb. At 4680ft Hancock's Comb come in at a lowly #99 on the Homecourt 100 list. I had no intention of summitting on this day due to the 18+ mile approach, but is did give me a nice 12 mile run for the dogs. I had expected heavy snows but was treated with mostly heavy rain.

Dirty Harr'ys Balcony 1.5.06

After giving my ankle a full three weeks to heal, I was off to give it a test. I really wasn't looking for a big day so I returned to the site of my injury,Dirty Harry' Logging Road. I only intended to go as far as the balcony. My ankle didn't give be any bother on the short way to my objective. When I reached the balcony I was punished with some strong but thankfully rainless unbroken wind. Finding it too cold to stay I decided to push on up the logging road. I went as far as to where the creek crosses over the road and called it a day. The descent gave my ankle a bit of trouble but I made it to the truck with only mild discomfort.

Dirty Harry's Peak 12.15.05

My original intent was to summit Granite Mt., but when I arrived at the trailhead there were many cars. Normally this wouldn't dissuade me but with my dog's recent aggressive behavior I thought better of it. I also wasn't too thrilled with the prospects of using a trail that I was sure was more glare ice than snow. I bactracked to the Fire Training Road and parked before the gate. I know the gate has a closing time of 4 pm and I knew I wouldn't be out in time. I walked the road to Dirty Harry's Logging Road and was happy to see some nice snowcover over the intial unpleasant rocky portion. There is a worn boot track that takes you all the way to the summit making snowshoes useless. I had a 3pm turnaround time but I was so close to the summit I waived it and summitted around 3:15. I knew there was a full moon and the skies were clear so I knew I would have enough ambient light. I made it out just before five carefully negotiating some very slippery areas where the run-off was now freezing to the bare spots of the road. I was quite happy to hit the safe walking of the paved and sanded road. Well that was short lived as after taking about five steps I hit some ice rolling my ankle which was accompanied with a loud snapping sound. As I crumpled to the side of the road screaming in pain, I thought it best to get up and walk before the swelling began in earnest. I was able to hobble to the car with only minimal discomfort. I am upbeat today it is very swollen and stiff but not painful.