Copy/Repost Hike

Scheduling the hike for 8:30 worked as intended – we all found parking spots in the lot or the small overflow space off Jefferson Notch Rd (rather than parking precariously along the road).  Joining me on this hike were Fred, Jeff, Mo, and Woody.  We discovered this trailhead does not have parking permit envelopes, so searching for the Sphinx would be a free hike.

The weather forecast called for a fairly clear day (no rain, snow, ice) , low winds (around 12 mph), with a high temperature in the valley around 70 degrees dropping into the low 50s if you summited Mt Jefferson or Mt Clay.  We were headed to the Sphinx lair located between Jefferson and Clay.  Before heading up the trail, I showed the group a picture of the Egyptian Sphinx and the alpine meadow where we might see the NH Sphinx.  I cautioned the group that whereas the Egyptian Sphinx was made by humans, in New Hampshire no government funds are ever used to carve images in the White Mountains.  However, in this “Live Free or Die” state, if providence and/or nature want to craft an image in the rocks to attract tourists, we will not take it for just granite.  I also packed a picture of the NH Sphinx, but did not show it to the group at this time.  If we got to the meadow and The Sphinx was in the clouds, I planned to pull out its picture lest the group turn ugly and start to stone me for false advertisement (that is, they would still see a Sphinx from the meadow)!

We easily crossed the log planks through a wet section at the beginning of the Caps Ridge Trail and then ascended through the forest.  Periodically we noted whiffs of balsam scent as we hiked.  A few wild raspberries were found along the way.  After a mile, we stopped at the granite outcrop that has several potholes formed by glacial meltwater long ago.  We rested there and took pictures, although the “fine view” at this location was blocked by low clouds.  I felt confident the view would be there on our return.

We continued on our way as the trail became steeper with ledges and boulders.  I noted some hesitation and mumbling within the group as we reached the steepest and roughest face – not so much in heading up it but in knowing that we planned to come back down it.  The accompanying pictures tell the story of our ascent better than any further words here.

After about two miles, we turned onto the Cornice Trail.  The going on this trail was easy and wild blueberries brought the group into a more contented state.  Soon we were at the junction with the Gulfside Trail, where a large group was initially blocking the trail junction sign.  Jeff heard French and immediately was happy to engage the Quebecers in dialog.  Alas, we wanted to get to Sphinx Col for lunch as it was past noon, so we bid them farewell.  Traveling the Gulfside Trail, we got our first glimpse of the Great Gulf and speculated which rock might be The Sphinx.  At Sphinx Col, we parked ourselves on the rocks off the trail to eat lunch and watch the “eye candy” that came by.  Once again Jeff got to use his French to chat up a dude who was hiking with a woman.

We then took the Sphinx trail into the Great Gulf.  At the end of the alpine meadow, we looked up to see The Sphinx.  Mo claimed it looked more like Pac-Man.  (Obviously Mo got hooked on an early video game where eating dots and avoiding ghosts were all the rage as the carefree 70s were coming to an end.)  Others in the group tried to convince Mo that the stones were The Sphinx, but he did not yield to peer pressure.  If I had been an “unhinged” leader, I might have lashed out bitterly at Mo by retorting “That is unGOian behavior.  If you don’t like it, just hike up to the ridge and go home with the Quebecers!”  But no, this is GO - for twenty years now it has been a club where all gay men are welcome.  Happy Anniversary GO as you turn 20 on Sept 2!

After taking several pictures of The Sphinx, we ascended the trail back to the col.  Along the way, Woody pointed out by name several of the plants we passed.  Having not made any “Pac-Man” converts, Mo next tried to convince us that the trail should be renamed “Pig Snout” based on an image in the rocks.  I took a picture of the pig snout.  (Clue: The pig snout is pointed toward the ground.)  Based on the pictures, each reader can decide if he is a Sphinxer, a pig snouter, or a whatever – can’t we just get along kind of guy?
Disclaimer: I do not pretend to be unbiased in this matter given I led this Sphinx hike.  So, there are 3 pictures of The Sphinx, but only1 of the pig snout.

We then continued to ascend back to the Cornice junction.  I was surprised how fast we made the 800 foot climb back to our “summit” for the day.  We then retraced our steps down the Cornice and Caps Ridge.  We took our time negotiating the rock faces and ledges.  At one point, in the rocks above we saw a seal on the right lurching toward a dolphin rising out of the ocean on the left!  (There is a picture of that one too.)  Evidently GOers are just as imaginative as the hikers of the late 1800s and early 1900s who named various NH rocks.  We stopped again at the glacial outcrop for pictures since now it had a great view.

We safely arrived back at our vehicles around 5 o’clock.  Since it was close to suppertime, we all went to eat at Scorpio's in Lancaster.  Most of us had the Mediterranean Chicken pasta that Fred and Mo recommended.  However, be aware that it is a huge dish even after a strenuous hike!

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