Little North Mountain Loop |

christopherrobin
Forum Elder

“People say nothing is impossible, but I do nothing every day.”

Posts: 259

Little North Mountain Loop Feb 23, 2016 7:45:47 GMT -5

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Post by christopherrobin on Feb 23, 2016 7:45:47 GMT -5

Wooly Bully, Ted E Bear, Hard Core and I did the Little North Mountain Loop over the weekend. It was a very nice day for a hike and we all needed to get out in the woods. The trail started well enough, with a small amount of snow covering the forest road.

But then the road became almost impassable with blow-downs and it was easier to bushwhack. The bushwhacking part of the trip was very tough, the undergrowth was heavy and gave way to laurel as we reached the top of the ridge. Tough going. But then we hit the Tuscarora Trail and that was in much better shape and quickly got to the first overlook.

There was a nice, much used campsite here. The ridge walk was rocky and had some snow left on it which made for some slick going, but there were nice views all along it.
To the east:

And west:

If the old road was maintained, and a path made through the bushwhack section, this would be a very nice loop. But as it is, the consensus was we are not planning on going again.

“When you see someone putting on his Big Boots, you can be pretty sure that an Adventure is going to happen.”

GaliWalker
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Posts: 643

Little North Mountain Loop Feb 25, 2016 10:19:54 GMT -5

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Post by GaliWalker on Feb 25, 2016 10:19:54 GMT -5

Thanks for the report and your summation, "But as it is, the consensus was we are not planning on going again." Last year, I had looked at this hike as a possibility, but ended up picking something else. I might continue to do that now...

AegisIII
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Posts: 144

Little North Mountain Loop Feb 25, 2016 22:58:38 GMT -5

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Post by AegisIII on Feb 25, 2016 22:58:38 GMT -5

When I hiked it last winter in similar conditions (bit less snow) there was at least sort of the path through most of the hollow. The trick, I think, is at the one green spring, is to cut from the south to the north side of the hollow, as a trail appears and improves the closer you get to the Tuscarora. I found the blowdowns, and the dense briars, along the old road part to be the worse part. And yes, I view it as a one-time-only hike.

One other minor change I did was starting at the upper gravel logging road. About halfway between its gate and Zepp Rd is a skid which head to the Team Mtn Hollow rd. Cuts off a short distance.

A better Great North Mountain hike with bushwhack is Long Mountain. I did that in November. Again, there is something of a trail along most of the ridgeline. Once you reach the highest stretch of the mountain, try to stay on the east side of the ridge. Most importantly, when you first summit long mountain, first go north. The beginning is rough with boulders and briars, but it gets better as you can wander along the cliff line for as far as you wish, with good views east, and also sometimes west. It's like a minor North Fork Mtn.

--
Ed. S

christopherrobin
Forum Elder

“People say nothing is impossible, but I do nothing every day.”

Posts: 259

Little North Mountain Loop Feb 26, 2016 9:17:00 GMT -5

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Post by christopherrobin on Feb 26, 2016 9:17:00 GMT -5

We actually parked at the gravel road then walked back to the old woods road trail head to start the hike. I was wondering where that road went. This is one of those trails that if I lived in the area I would maintain. It is a nice gradual hike up to the ridge, and the ridge walk has great views and camp sites.
We considered Long Mountain, but chose this one. Maybe next time, but for now we are sticking to well-marked trails. Doing Tuscarora-Standing Stone Loop tomorrow.

“When you see someone putting on his Big Boots, you can be pretty sure that an Adventure is going to happen.”