Mt. Hayes
Submitted by Pat
Stats
Mountain: Mt. Hayes (2,555)
Date: October 22, 2017
Weather: 40s am, warming into the 60s, partly sunny
Miles: 5
Elevation Gain: 1,650
Trail: Mahoosuc Trail
It’s wonderful to see Nancy after not seeing her for 3 ½ weeks while she was on her trip to Africa. Beautiful smiles, eyes full of warmth as she hugs me hard. The air is chilly, 40°, as we drive up Rt. 16 on our way to the Sweet Maple Café…which is closed for the season. Undeterred, we drive to Bea’s Café, a pay-in-cash, local dive. We both order too much food, unsure of portion size and tastiness. Nancy talks about her Africa trip and I am mesmerized by the tales she tells. She tells me about the incredibly good dairy and gluten free food they served and how on their kayak trip they were charged by an irate hippo and got away by paddling as hard as they could by sheer will and a little luck. The helicopter ride over Victoria Falls gave them an unprecedented view of that natural wonder. They even swam in pools just above the edge of the falls – it’s not a swift water start as the water lazily accumulates and rolls over the edges of these pools on its way down to elsewhere.
We drive 4.5 miles down Hogan Rd, a bumpy, uneven dirt road that requires all wheel drive and a high clearance vehicle. There are so many pot holes I have to brake constantly. I am unfamiliar with the road and the severity of its obstacles so I grip the steering wheel, white-knuckled and flooded with stress. When we arrive at the end of the road, I slump over in relief, but it takes much longer to let the stress go than to build it up. I snap at Nancy when she makes a self-deprecating joke and don’t realize it until she tells me later in the day. I’m on two new medications – one for the cancer and one for depression. I’m anxious how this chemical cocktail is going to mix with this short climb.
The first half mile or so is relatively gentle and I hang back, clearing the trail of branches and debris. The trail is beautiful with the lower forest crowded with paper birch and other deciduous trees, many of which have already lost their leaves. The temperature warms into the 60s with a breeze and partly sunny skies. Perfect weather for a fall hike in the north country. Nancy and I speak little for the first hour. When we begin to climb, I slowly fall into a place of deep physical fatigue, similar to what I experienced when I was taking the cancer medications.
Nancy stops often to allow me to catch up, but we don’t talk much and don’t rest very long. Once again, the fatigue and difficulty breathing depletes me of all good feelings I have about being out in the woods with my friend. It’s not that steep or difficult a climb so I am frustrated, confused, angry and lonely.
We take a .2 mile detour to check out Mascot Pond, a disappointment as it has a large section of sand and rocks and abandoned chairs and trash left behind by thoughtless people. There is nothing pristine about the pond on this still day and most of the trees that form the border of the pond are pines – no fall color to regale us. As we walk back to the trail, we meet an older couple doing the same thing we are, bagging Mt. Hayes for the 52 with a View list. We chat for a while and they recognize us, having seen the presentation and read Nancy’s book.
As we climb higher, the trail begins weaving its way through moss beds and pine duff creates a soft cushion beneath our boots. We come to a series of ledges that offer spectacular views of the northern Presidentials – Mts. Adam and Madison. We don’t stay long because we want to return to this spot to eat lunch on our way down.
On top of the ridge, the trail is a joy to experience. My body recovers from the breathlessness and fatigue I felt earlier and I feel normal again. We pass a series of cairns located on bald spots with minimal views but there is nothing to mark the Mt. Hayes summit so we keep walking, not wanting to stop short and miss it. Eventually we reach the junction of the Mahoosuc and the Centennial Trail and know that indeed we have found the summit.
We take pictures of the leaves and mountain views, but feel disappointed that all the views are hazy, nothing looks vibrant or clear. It looks as if there is a mist in the air and the sky and the mountains in the distance and the remaining fall leaves look blurred. As we walk toward the Mt. Hayes summit, we meet the older couple again. We agree to meet at the ledges for lunch and more conversation.
The wind is chilling me in my short-sleeved shirt so I change into a dry one and put on a windbreaker. We sit and are taking out our food when the couple joins us. They had seen our presentation and it was so nice of him to tell us that we had inspired him to hike again – he has great peak bagging list credentials – ADK 46, 100 Highest, 67 and 48 in NH. Very impressive. His wife is also an accomplished hiker. After we eat, we pack up, police our area, and head back down.
There’s something unique about descending a mountain. My walking speed increases unless the terrain is exceptionally steep and tiered with large rocks. I rarely look anywhere but in front of me as I judge where to put my boots as I descend a mountain. I usually feel discomfort in my knees and often, if I have not tied my boots just right, end up with sore toe tips.
The steepness of the trail begins to lessen and the forest floor is covered with a thick blanket red and yellow leaves. Leaves cover the rocks and are slippery. Intense focus on where to step claims what brain capacity I have left. Nancy is way ahead of me and the hike down is done in silence. I love recognizing parts of the trail I remember from the climb up – I know we’re getting close. Before I know it, I see my car, dusty and untouched by thieves or vandals and ready to crawl back down the 4.5 miles to the main road.