It's the first day of winter, time to start hiking winter peaks again! Unfortunately, there was a major rain storm in the week leading up to the 21st, and that did some major road damage by Owl's Head on 73. Coming into the day, I was concerned about water levels around the washbowl. I totally forgot that on the ridge trail you cross the outlet 3 times.
Yesterday I started off at Roaring Brook trailhead and had a second attempt at Rocky Ridge Peak, and the thought that if it was clear, I'd also top Giant again. Overall, the hike up Roaring Brook was not that bad. It is 0.4 miles longer than the Ridge Trail, and about 500 more feet in elevation gain, but overall until the last half mile of the trail it wasn't that bad. The last half mile until it hit the Ridge Trail though was a bit rough, not not really horrible overall. When I got up to the split for Rocky, that trail was a PITA. The top 1/2 of the trail down
My first attempt at Rocky Ridge was in combination with Giant peak. It was my first hike of the year up in the 'Daks, and I encountered a lot of snow and ice on the trail. In short, I was not really ready for that hike. I've done 4 more mountains since, and am in slightly better shape now than I was then. I have decided to take a different route to the top...