Gahuti Trail
Saturday 4/19/08
Trip: 8.8 miles
Elevation: 2744ft (max) 1030ft (min) 2178ft (total accent)
Time: 3h 55m (moving) 1h 28m (stopped)
Moving Avg: 2.2 mph
Temperature: 75 F
Wind: Light breeze
Conditions: Partly Cloudy, no precipitation
Pack Weight: ~26lbs (2L water, 1 day food)
Summary:
Mark, Cecilia, Miya and I set out to hike the entire 8.8 miles of the Gahuti Trail. This was my first long distance hike at pack weight. We parked at the Big Rock Nature Trail (BRNT) trail head and picked up the Gahuti trail on the backside. Since Campsite 3 was just .25 miles south of the BRNT, we decided to head North and hike the trail clockwise, ending with a camp out on site 3 after we finished the entire trail.
This is moderately difficult trail. From Campsite 3 north to The Old Fort Wall is a steady climb up a narrow, rocky and sometimes angled trail (make sure you bring mid-line boots or ankle braces if you have joint trouble). From The Old Fort Wall to Campsite 1 is a non stop series of PUDs (pointless ups and downs) as you traverse a series of small saddles and ridge lines. Once you hit the Old Fort Road and cross over back onto the trail, it levels out and you hike ~1.5 miles on a graded service road as you head towards Camp site 2. The leg from Campsite 2 to Campsite 3 isn’t as difficult as the west/ east face but it has a few sections that add to the challenge of the last 2 miles.
If you want waterfalls, the section from Campsite 3 to the Big Rock Nature Trail loop is your best bet. Campsite 3 and 4 offer the best views.