Trails Used

Long trail, bushwhack

Trail Conditions

Notes

This was a long one but I got the three 3k’s I wanted. It was 4.4 fairly easy miles to Doll Peak where I launched my 2 mile whack to West Jay. The trail had some wet rock that made me slip a few times with my worn out boots. I passed about 6 people, everyone looked to be backpacking. No views on the trail, but I found views bushwhacking. I followed the ridge, which is a boundary line marked often with ribbons. Traces of herd path in here. The woods were open with mainly fern undergrowth. I found some great view ledges on the eastern bump of West Jay. I came back the same way, then did the short whack to North Jay which was quick and also had some good views over the trees. It took me 7.5 hours for 14 miles and 3600’ total.

Parking

Parked at North Jay pass. Only one other truck there. Plenty of room.

Water Crossings

None

Wildlife

Lots of annoying flies.

Also on this trip

Trails Used

Snowmobile trails, bushwhack

Trail Conditions

Equipment

Notes

A bit of foggy drizzle this afternoon but the snow stayed solid under my snowshoes. The well signed snowmobile trail was bare-bootable or spikeable, still solid coverage and hard packed. I started my whack from just after the pond on the right side of the loop about 2 miles in, (the loop is shown on Gaia). I did a bigger counter clockwise bushwhack loop hitting the 3 peaks, great woods everywhere, and solid coverage 12+ inches deep, except for the steep south slope of Burnt, which was bare, and a bit scrappy but I kept my snowshoes on here. Lots of moose scat and chewed twigs over here. I crossed a tiny beaver pond on a dam, then headed up beautiful open snow covered woods to Butterfield. Easy navigating with no leaves on the trees. To descend back to the trail I stayed on the long SE spine, it probably would have decent views if it wasn’t so foggy. I don’t know if it has enough angle to ski well, but it’s open enough and has enough snow still. It was a very enjoyable stroll in snowshoes. 8.3 miles and 2,550 feet for my loop in 3:45.

Parking

Parked in the gravel VAST lot off 302, SE of the peaks.

Water Crossings

Snowmobile bridged on the trail. I crossed a beaver dam by one small pond between Burnt and Butterfield while bushwhacking.