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While
I was setting up my tent, I received a visit from Jenny Cleary,
the Crag Camp caretaker, who collected my fee and told me a bit
about how new tent platforms were just put in. This explained
the nearby pile of old boards. She was in the process of lugging
all of it back to Gray Knob, where it could be burned in the stove
during the winter. She loaded up her pack with as much wood as
she could carry (which was quite a bit), and disappeared up the
trail toward Gray Knob.
I
cooked a supper of dehydrated vegetarian chili, fed Muffin her
dog food (and some of my chili), filtered enough water at a nearby
stream to fill up my bottles, and then went into the tent to escape
the annoying flies and get some rest. We were the only ones at
the Perch that night, and it had been a long day, so we slept
well.
I
woke up rather late the next morning, and Muffin's feet were still
sore from King Ravine, so I decided to change our plans. Instead
of crossing the Presidentials to head for Mizpah Spring Hut, I
decided to head back down to Appalachia, taking our time and checking
out the Gray Knob and Crag Camp cabins. I had only one more 4000-footer
to climb, which was Bondcliff, so I figured we could drive over
to the start of the Wilderness Trail at Lincoln Woods, and attack
Bondcliff from that direction.
After
eating a quick breakfast and taking down camp, we left for Gray
Knob, but not before getting a good look around at the rest of
the Perch. The shelter was pretty nice, although I still prefer
my own tent.
The
views to the north from the Perch Path and the Gray Knob Trail
were spectacular.
Although the air was little hazy, it was a nice day, and not overly
warm yet. Muffin's sore feet, combined with the rockiness of the
trail, made for a slow hike, but we were in no hurry.
We
stopped briefly at Gray Knob. I'd been there before but wanted
to get another look inside. Things hadn't changed much; even the
prayer flags were still hanging in the dining area.
On
the way to Crag Camp, we met Jenny Cleary again on the trail.
She had been doing some work on the Spur Trail below Crag Camp
and had broken an axe, so was on her way up to Gray Knob to pick
up a spare. She was definitely in for a busy day, because turning
over the compost at the Perch's toilet was also on her agenda
(not anyone's favorite job).
Finally,
we reached Crag Camp, which overlooks King Ravine. Crag Camp cabin
is open year around, but staffed by a caretaker during the summer.
But Jenny was off working, and no one else was there when we arrived. |
The
Perch shelter. As far as shelters go, this one was pretty clean
and comfortable, but I still prefer my own tent. |
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