Post by flatlander on May 30, 2010 21:43:40 GMT -5
Mt. Magalloway was too far off the CT for me to manage a side trip on my hike last year, especially with the area's restrictions on backcountry camping. I was back with my car this weekend, though, and I drove the eight dusty miles from Rt. 3 to the trailhead off Magalloway Road. The view from the fire tower was definitely worth the drive.
Memorial Day weekend 2010: Coot Trail is clear all the way uphill. Someone or some team has re-set the waterbars and cleared away fallen branches. There are a couple of very impressive recently-downed trees that had the courtesy to fall away from the trail. All the trillium flowers along the trail were a treat to see. Bobcat Trail had enough blowdowns that I turned around and returned to Coot for the walk back to my car.
At the summit, no one was on duty, and the door to the cab of the fire tower was locked. No problem, since the view from the landing just below the cab is grand enough. The outbuildings were likewise locked; apparently vandalism is becoming a problem even in this remote spot. This weekend, though, the structures I saw seemed to be in good repair. This early in the season, even the pit toilet at the trailhead was in good shape.
Memorial Day weekend 2010: Coot Trail is clear all the way uphill. Someone or some team has re-set the waterbars and cleared away fallen branches. There are a couple of very impressive recently-downed trees that had the courtesy to fall away from the trail. All the trillium flowers along the trail were a treat to see. Bobcat Trail had enough blowdowns that I turned around and returned to Coot for the walk back to my car.
At the summit, no one was on duty, and the door to the cab of the fire tower was locked. No problem, since the view from the landing just below the cab is grand enough. The outbuildings were likewise locked; apparently vandalism is becoming a problem even in this remote spot. This weekend, though, the structures I saw seemed to be in good repair. This early in the season, even the pit toilet at the trailhead was in good shape.