13 Falls

13 Falls is one of my favorite places in the White Mountains. Can you guess why? I've been up there a number of times-- even took the kids in when they were little and we spent the night. Rained on us the whole time... wasn't supposed to... sorry kids... :)

It's a well-graded scenic hike that takes you next to flowing water almost the entire time. Probably the flattest trail in the Whites.

I started Friday evening at Lincoln Woods and took my time along the trail before make the decision to camp for the night at Black Pond, a place I hadn't been before. Figured I'd take a chance that I could find a flat spot to camp...

The .8 mile scenic path (Black Pond Trail) in was a nice walk from the main trail at Lincoln Woods. Black Pond was quiet but not an overly spectacular setting. But hey-- it beats working, right? Plus, from its' western shore, you get a pretty nice view of the Bonds in the distance...

The area around the pond is a Forest Protection Area, so camping has to be at least 200 feet from the pond itself, which wasn't a problem-- there's a spot up on a bluff at the western shore of the pond.

Got to try out my new pressurized Pepsi can alcohol stove... was a sweet thing to behold (review to come in the future). With this setup, I've gone from 1#15oz (MSR Whisperlite stove and aluminum pot set) to 10 5/8 oz. This weight includes the stove, 4 oz fuel bottle (filled), scavenged 1 qt aluminum pot, spork, tin foil windscreen, mesh cloth, lighter, lid, and pot holder.

My dehydrated Cuban Black Beans and Rice were ALSO a THING TO BEHOLD! Protein, carbs, flavor, heat-- delicious! And best of all, home cooked and dehydrated at home-- no extra sodium, msg, etc... just 100% tasty.

Notice the pot cozy I fashioned out of some Reflectix material-- keeps things warmer/lets the food continue to cook (so you use less fuel), and insulates your hands from the hot pot. Yeah, I've used a bandana before or a pot holder to hold a hot pot-- this is pretty nice... hardly any weight.

 Got on the trail early Saturday AM and crossed the East Branch on my way to the falls....

Oh-- personal rant, first.... So I'm down at the Pond EARLY getting water.... 6:30 am-ish .... when I hear loud voices and a bell ringing.... here comes this group of 4 in with their black lab. (Disclaimer: I like dogs).... They seem friendly and we say "Hi" to each other... and make some small talk while I get my filter out to top off my water. What does the guy in the group do? He decides this would be the perfect time and place to encourage the lab to go fetch a stick out in the pond.. except that the lab's path to said stick takes it right by me and my filter, which stirs up all the sediment as it jumps in to "go fetch"... because labs never enter the water daintily.... I shoot him a look... but he apparently doesn't "get it" because he does it 3 more times...

Did I say I "like dogs"...? I just don't like their moron owners who are so stupid that they're inconsiderate. (....must stop..... blood pressure increasing.... breathe... there, that's better...)

If you hadn't noticed, it's been a bit rainy lately. That means that a couple of the stream crossings made it necessary to drop the pack, change to sandals, cross the river/stream, replace boots, strap sandals back on pack, etc...  the part that took the longest was scouting up and down the banks of the river for a place to cross so I didn't have to go through the above process. I finally just decided after a quick look up and down to put the sandals on-cross- and be done with it.

So 13 Falls was awesome.

Very quiet. Caretaker not around. Just plenty of sun and water. If you haven't been, you absolutely must make this a destination and spend the night.

The hike out was.... the hike out... nothing special... just thinking about all the gear I've got to air out, clean, etc...

Great trip-- no peaks, no death marches straight up mountains... just nice river walking on flat terrain. Oh-- and mosquitoes.... 

...............and a dog owner...... and waterfalls...... :)