Ladder Trail up Dorr Mountain

I am on vacation this week, which means I'm slower than usual to post. I've had a few busy days of hiking and bouldering followed by entertaining visiting family. My great ambitions of going hiking every morning have been waylaided by a need to sleep. Maybe I should keep well-rested since the upcoming three day hiking/camping trip in the White Mountains.

Last Wednesday, the hiking club tackled the Ladder trail up Dorr Mountain, down the A Murray Young path, and back to the cars along the Gorge (Cannon Brook tarn trail). Total of 3.5 miles in about 3 hours. The more abitious (and faster) of our group returned via Cadillac mountain (total of 4.8 miles in about 3 hours).

First, the Ladder trail only has 3 ladders. It really should be called the stair trail (too many to count). The first half mile is just about straight up with a few plateaus to rest burning legs. Nothing is terribly exposed, so it isn't bad for people with moderate fears of heights. It is horrible for people with a fear of stairs.

About half way up there is a choke point through a split boulder. It was tight enough that I had to take off my pack to squeeze through. Beyond the Ladder trail, the views of Bar Harbor and Frenchman's Bay are breath taking. It is also my favorite place to get a good picture of the lab.

Once at the top of the trail, we stopped for our customary cookie break. It was well-deserved after all those stairs. Our sweat and exhaustion was quickly blown away by a gusty wind that urged us on.

 

 

[image error]After our group split (apparently one peak is just not enough for some people), most of us headed down the A Murray Young path. It's essentially a rocky valley that runs the length between Dorr and Cadillac mountains. Although it was bone dry, I could imagine the rushing spring run-off. The path eventually flattens out into a gentle path.

Part of the Gorge trail is under heavy construction and a little bit of an ankle twister. However, it is generally flat and an easy walk passed beaver ponds and tarns.

 

 

 

With a little hard work and good timing, I should be able to get some bouldering and climbing pictures up. This weekend's SAR training involved rappelling to rescue a stuck climber. It was a good reminder of what it's like to go over the edge.