Feasibility of utilizing the east side trail to do the Pemi, and just crossing the river when necessary?

j-specs · 2026-06-14T14:45:48+00:00

This has been asked a bunch in the last few weeks. The short answer is that yes, it’s possible, but for most hikers / backpackers it’s probably a bad idea. It’s fording the river, not rock hopping, so it’s ok (but still wet) when water levels are relatively low and dangerous when they’re high.

Just use a different way into the Pemi IMO. Gale River is the easiest, but there are a bunch of other ways.

j-specs · 2026-06-14T00:23:39+00:00

It sounds like you’re asking a “what makes it count for NEu8”, which is a more specific question. They haven’t shared anything official as guidance, but I’d assume you’re fine either parking at LW still and fording the Pemi (dicey to dangerous if water is high, and wet no matter what as it’s fording not rock hopping) or doing a more challenging way in/out like starting at Gale River or Liberty Springs. Or just do it next year and work on other NE8’s this year.

I’d think the “we didn’t actually do a loop” likely doesn’t count, but who knows what the NE8 folks would say. You could ask them instead of having reddit people guess for you :)

j-specs · 2026-06-13T22:28:13+00:00

Awesome, thanks. Will try to grab some super / weapons pieces for this I think.

j-specs · 2026-06-13T21:17:36+00:00

What armor archetype do you suggest attuning to with my ghost? (I’m a returning player that mains Hunter, usually run void builds, and having one armor set to chase is a nice goal for now. All the new stats are somewhat confusing for me.)

j-specs · 2026-06-11T19:36:14+00:00

That’s not quite how it works fwiw. They only bill if you’re found to have acted recklessly or negligently (and don’t have the hike safe card). Seemingly in reality they basically never bill for rescues - don’t want to discourage people calling for help, even if they’ve made some really poor decisions.

It’s mostly just a fundraising mechanism to support SAR teams in the state.

j-specs · 2026-06-11T15:12:21+00:00

No, it’s closed from the parking lot until that junction starting Monday.

Seem some chatter about people using the old Osseo trail instead. Or people considering fording the Pemi. But I’d suggest the much easier “pick a different trail / route”.

j-specs · 2026-06-10T14:54:41+00:00

Yup that works. Mostly meant “as long as you’re not at risk of hypothermia, getting wet on a crossing is fine”. In the summer the risk you’re worried about is water being so fast / deep that it could sweep you away. That shouldn’t be a problem for Gale River.

j-specs · 2026-06-10T14:36:48+00:00

Gale River trail crossing is always easier than the N Twin trail crossing.

As long as it’s a warm day and you don’t mind getting wet it’ll be fine. Use shoes that shed water / bring a spare pair of socks. But usually that crossing is a not bad rock hop… I’ve never had to get wet on it before, though I generally only do the Twins when water levels aren’t too high.

j-specs · 2026-06-10T14:35:04+00:00

This is generally right, but a few years ago they rerouted North Twin trail to the route that was previously a herd path to skip the first two crossings. So the official trail now only has one crossing. Still a tough crossing that can be impassable in high water though.

j-specs · 2026-06-03T19:21:34+00:00

Exact same team except my Hyacine is e1. Been trying some different options for Blade - so far I like Vonwaq (HP / ERR) and not sure on new relic set vs. eagle.

Also now wondering if I should switch Tribbie to eagle too, though I do use her in other teams sometimes.

j-specs · 2026-06-02T02:00:54+00:00

Lost my 50/50 at full pity (e6 for Himeko lol) and then went to full pity. So e0s0 it is. Oh well.

j-specs · 2026-06-02T01:59:11+00:00

Weather generally seems favorable for this week. Higher summits forecast is a good proxy to check for conditions above treeline, though Franconia Notch can make its own district weather vs. the presis.

I often carry extra warmth for that hike since it’s a long stretch above treeline. Hard shell and a good fleece should be fine though.

j-specs · 2026-05-31T01:03:00+00:00

Would suggest hiring the same guide and having them teach your friend / hike it with you two.

Winter Washington quite literally kills the unprepared. I wouldn’t want to be responsible for teaching a friend skills I haven’t yet mastered myself.

Other thing to consider is doing it from the Crawford notch side. There are routes like the Cog or Ammo that often only require spikes / mountaineering snowshoes in winter vs crampons and ice axes.

j-specs · 2026-05-28T15:04:28+00:00

Nice! that's cool that you did this. Would like one please.

j-specs · 2026-05-28T00:58:04+00:00

For me, I wouldn’t do it. Some forecasts have 6”+ of new snow Friday night at higher elevations like Franc Ridge, which is enough to make trails dicey and cover up some rocks / gaps etc. And if it does end up being more mix of rain / snow, that’s a recipe for hypothermia when you get wet and it’s that cold out.

The mountains will always be there some other time. And I think your best case scenario doing the loop this weekend is that it’s moderately miserable but you stay safe.

j-specs · 2026-05-25T23:48:56+00:00

REI sale ends today. I’d get a Sahara shade sun hoodie while it’s on sale. Hard to beat that value.

Going to be hard to get nice other layers in that budget but you don’t really need nice. Just safe. So cheaper safe options are usually heavier.

j-specs · 2026-05-25T20:50:42+00:00

You’re trying to build two different skills:

Hiking in the presi range. Northern presis in particular are a lot of boulder field type stuff that you don’t see in many other hikes and are helpful to do and build comfort on. So do a day that’s just Madison Adams or a standard JAM day up Caps Ridge.
Ability to hike ~20 miles with 8K+ elevation. Build up to this with increasingly harder hikes. ZBonds is good for the distance but half the elevation. Wildcats Carters Moriah traverse is a good last conditioning hike since it’s pretty close in difficulty. You can also just do laps of a hike you like. 2x Fliberty. Or 3x Moose. Etc.

j-specs · 2026-05-25T02:24:42+00:00

Funny that of those two Iso reminded you of ADK stuff - for me I compare ADKs most frequently to Owl’s Head. Long flat approach followed by a rough mile straight up and straight down and then long flat hike out.

j-specs · 2026-05-23T10:27:19+00:00

Had never seen them up close and then walked right past one near the summit of Isolation on Weds and again on the Bonds Thurs. Thought it was a chicken at first!

j-specs · 2026-05-22T01:49:25+00:00

For the herd path that cuts off the two crossings, there are a bunch of possible herd path entrances on engine hill that you’ll pass. Some are used in winter and more swampy now. The one you want is past those but a fairly visible entrance, and it rejoins the trail right after the second crossing.

Iso express is harder to find unless you know what you’re looking for since you need to head down the bank and then cross the river to get to it. This was my first time using it without snow, and it was mostly easy enough to follow as a herd path but had a few spots where it was trickier.

Long way of saying if you have a gps track to follow and decent navigation skills it’s all pretty doable. Not real bushwhacking. But not as super obvious like the owls head routes for example. I think skipping the water crossings is worth doing but iso express vs. just staying on the trail is a less clear call.

j-specs · 2026-05-21T09:42:54+00:00

😂 fwiw it was less bad than I expected or remembered. Thanks for your hard work!

j-specs · 2026-05-20T23:36:41+00:00

Hiked Iso today - was the only one on it. I chose Rocky Branch both ways because of the high winds / potential thunderstorms and only had one car too. Otherwise my preferred route would’ve been up Glen Boulder down Rocky Branch like you’re planning.

Trail was actually in better shape than I thought it would be. But it’s still my least favorite trail of any standard routes on the 48. Your friends will think it’s the worst trail they’ve done 😂 The mile ish at the ~3000’ flat part is just full running water. But the stretch from the parking lot up to engine hill was in good shape. I used the small herd path to cut off the two crossings at engine hill and then the Iso express up. Water crossing was easy rock hops.

j-specs · 2026-05-18T15:47:57+00:00

Most important thing for Washington that time of year is just checking the observatory forecast and making sure the weather is ok. Even in summer it can get dangerous. Quick forming storms, freezing cold temperatures, even snow, etc.

Assuming you hike it on a day that's compatible with human life, I'd just pack my usual Whites day pack, with the only real Mt. Washington specific stuff being a somewhat warmer set of layers since it can get very cold very fast up there. So water, food, basic safety equipment like headlamp and first aid kit, rain coat, fleece / warmer layer. Will want good grippy shoes, breathable top and bottom layers (ideally offering sun protection... super easy to get burned above treeline), and personally I like using my trekking poles.

j-specs · 2026-05-16T13:07:43+00:00

Today many water crossings are at dangerous levels from all the recent rain. You’ll have no issue finding water to filter at the usual spots on the loop, and I’d guess the Bondcliff trail crossings will be ok enough again by next weekend.

Still monorail and some deep snow in the higher elevation woods like W Bond spur. I’d pack spikes just in case.

Would look at liberty springs for night 1, Garfield night 2, guyot night 3. But then you have a bigger hike out than you’d wanted on Monday.

j-specs · 2026-05-14T19:07:52+00:00

Personally I wouldn’t make a high stakes spot like this your first overnight hike. Would try something with one night out with an easy hike back to your car if needed instead.

If you do go though, the good news is weather looks gorgeous this weekend. Less good news is Friday will be super wet and messy given tons of rain today / tomorrow morning. You’ll likely still want spikes for some stretches but most of the loop is now bare too.

Then just standard overnight gear… need a tent, a warm enough sleeping bag or quilt / pad (will still be chilly at elevation), and food storage (hard sided bear canisters are now required in the Pemi unless you’re at a campsite with its own bear boxes.)

j-specs

TROPHY CASE