July 4, 2010
After a 33.5 mile hike yesterday, I knew I needed to go easy today. I wasn't up for driving to New Hampshire, so I stayed in Maine. I decided on Tumbledown Mountain, Little Jackson Mountain, and if time permitted, Jackson Mountain. I had hiked Tumbledown once but it was years ago, before I was an avid hiker. It was a so-so day and we didn't even go to the true summit so this felt very much like my first time here.
I turned onto Morgan Road which was unmarked and drove almost to the end. Not having a 4-wheel drive vehicle, I stopped about 100 yards short of the trailhead. I walked up the road and began my hike.
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A few minutes into the hike, I turned onto Parker Ridge Trail.
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I didn't have the best map, and the map I had wasn't showing all the trails which made it a little difficult.
Passing a trail junction.
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As Madison and I reached treeline, I was a little concerned about the cloudy sky.
The report for today was mostly sunny.
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Looking down to Webb Lake
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Then the clouds began to break and I had incredible views.
Looking over to Tumbledown which actually has three peaks.
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A few minutes later, Tumbledown Pond came into view.
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I briefly dropped below treeline again.
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I reached the pond where Madison took a dip.
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Junction of Parker Ridge Trail and Brook Trail
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Don't you just want to go out to that little island.
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Nearing west peak of Tumbledown.
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Looking back to Little Jackson.
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Looking across to the north peak of Tumbledown.
I asked a couple people if a trail went over there. No one seemed to know. It was definitely the highest of the three Tumbledown peaks so I would have to get there one way or another.
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Another view of Webb Lake
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Looking over to the west peak of Tumbledown.
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From the west peak I could see Tumbledown's north peak (left) and east peak (right) with Little Jackson in the background.
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I continued on a trail not sure where it would lead. It started down and then cut back in the direction of the north peak, just what I was hoping for. After going over a couple of puds (pointless ups and downs) I began to close in on the open summit of the north peak.
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I would say that rock was the highest point on Tumbledown.
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Looking back to the west peak.
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I was able to look down to Tumbledown Pond. I still want to get to that island.
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Here's a panoramic shot of two photos.
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Here's a larger shot of the same view.
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For a 360° video clip click here.
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Heading down into the col between Tumbledown and Little Jackson
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Looking back up to Tumbledown.
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I reached a trail for Little Jackson Mountain. I had an old guide book that stated this trail was no longer here. I may have to do some bushwhacking. But first, seeing I was pretty close to the back of the pond, I decided to check it out. I came across a herd path that led me there. Hmmm? I still want to go out to that island. It was much closer from this side. I could almost rock hop across, or so I thought. I dropped my pack and took off my shoes and socks. Believe it or not, it was actually chest deep. I walked across holding my camera up to keep it dry. Madison followed behind doing the doggie paddle.
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Tumbledown from the Island.
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Madison on the island
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For a 360° video clip from the Island click here.
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I returned to the junction for Little Jackson Mountain
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Unfortunately, I lost the trail almost immediately. It was less than a half a mile to the top of Little Jackson so I figured I would bushwhack. Half way up I came across a trail as plain as could be. Whether this was the same trail as the trail I lost, I don't know. I'll have to try this hike in the opposite direction sometime and see if I have better luck. As I headed up, I had an awesome view of Tumbledown Mountain and Tumbledown Pond.
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I reached the 3434' summit of Little Jackson
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I'm not sure what this stone fort was all about. Perhaps a spot to get out of the wind on a cold, windy day.
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Here's a few photos from the summit.
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Looking over to Jackson Mountain. I still wasn't sure if a trail went up there.
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As I descended, I came across an alternate trail back up to Little Jackson
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I decided to enjoy the open trail and followed it up over several bumps.
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The trail began to drop below treeline so I headed back the way I came.
The peak way in the back is Mount Blue
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I came to a trail junction where I found that it appears there is a trail to Jackson Mountain.
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Unfortunately, with a late start and lots of exploring, I was out of time. I decided to save it for another day. I headed back down to my vehicle. What an awesome hike! I definitely plan to revisit.
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