Trails Used

Nancy Pond Trail,herdpath,bushwhack

Trail Conditions

Notes

Excellent day for Bemis. Took the old fw trail/herdpath just after 1st major water crossing on the hairpin turn. This herdpath is easy to follow for the first 1-1.5 miles.Upon entering a beautiful scrubby meadow with beautiful views the path is a bit tricky in spots. For the most part after losing the path I found again shortly after. This path is overgrown with many groups of blowdowns. I did find it helpful at certain points to follow a drainage up. After reaching the remnants of the fire tower and two 55 gallon drums I should've headed west approx 336 feet to the true summit. Instead I made a complete circle around the firetower. I did however find a nice spot with some really nice views. Finding myself back at the barrels I descended slightly and headed uphill slightly finding the canister at the summit with canteen. Newer register was dry and only one entry from May. Shredded my pants in some thick spruce. Firm believer in redundancy. Hiked out in long johns. Thankfully the trails were quiet today

Parking

Parked at trailhead room for maybe 5 or six vehicles. One vehicle on arrival one on return

Water Crossings

Flows slightly elevated but no issue rock walking. 1st major crossing had to walk in the stream

Wildlife

Thick today. Definitely swallowed a few

Trails Used

Nancy Pond Trail, abandonded firewardens trail, bushwhack

Notes

Interesting day. No snow/ice. Lost the abandoned trail after the first "nubble" /hump around 3k' and got stuck in the pine trees and spent too long trying to find a good corridor vs. navigating back towards the "trail" corridor. The corridor did not always follow the old USGS map I was using as an outline, but that was expected- lots of blowdowns starting in this area. Didn't keep a good eye on the time and was probably spending too long identifying birds- first 1.5mi or so of Nancy Pond trail was very birdy . Was about to turn around in the spruce when I heard two other hikers-- hopefully I have the names right here: Tom (Tim?)? and Intrepid. Was nice to hear human voices, which I don't often think on my hikes! They gave me some intel and I reassessed my time and progress and decided to head to the meadow/shrubby col with views before and the last push up the summit. It was beautiful and I heard some ruby crowned kinglets singing and red crossbills overhead. I pushed on a little more but I was tired, moving slowly and not feeling 100%, so decided to call it before my turnaround time. Re-learned some basic hiking lessons including: don't wait too long to eat, don't try new foods on a hike, make sure your waist pockets are zipped, etc. It was a fairly quick hike down; I found the corridor much easier to follow than on the way up, but was also paying closer attention. Spent some time resting by Nancy Brook at the junction and enjoying the sounds and scenery, then back down Nancy Pond trail. Also saw a few snakes, some bear scat, and other unidentified scat.

Parking

around the 8th car at around 10am, parked at the start of the road/pull off area

Water Crossings

none were difficult

Wildlife

not bad at all