Robie Reid TRs are a rare enough event on CT to give this hike a certain aura and feeling of challenge. Ben and I had been knocking off long day hikes in awesome times, and we certainly felt up to it. Yet the thought of tackling the uphill slog of uphill slogs meant only a last-minute decision, without any time to ponder, would get us there.

So there we were, heading up the Florence FSR the night before in the old green machine. She was up to the task and mileage markers every km helped us find our campsite after a couple of wrong turns. Don't take the turnoff down an overgrown road right at the 20km marker! Not pleasant backing up out of there in a car! Instead take the turnoff just 100m before that.



The next day we headed out at 6am; it was already muggy and hot. We couldn't wait to get to out of the woods to the alpine and cooler temps. The connector trail was a great walk, and this wonky looking bridge seemed secure enough.



We had little water with us and expected to have a minor river crossing at the head of the lake where we could refill. As we ascended the trail we slowly realised that there was no river, no stream, not even a trickle of water anywhere. Ben had a small canister of water so we pushed on, aided by the odd blueberry. Within 3 hours we were at the tarns. No streams, just tarns. Of dead, still water. We took our chances and filled up. Up to now we'd barely had a view, but now it was close enough to touch.

The route described in other TRs appears to be the one in red, but that seemed to be filled in with snow. Even if it was open it was sure to be wet. The green line roughly indicates our route, which was almost bone dry.



Up to the final section running diagonally to the left was simple enough with minimal exposure. The crux took us up a gully with only one difficult part that has a rappel sling for the downclimb.



Once at the notch I realised I hadn't researched this portion of route at all! Do we descend to the snowfield? Up and around the minor summit to the right or left? A few cairns gave us the clues we needed and up and to the left it was. After that the ridge came into view and it was an easy scramble to ...



... the radio tower.



No troubles figuring out the route up the summit block with all the wear from previous parties.



Ben making final moves to the summit.



Summit shot.



It's hard to leave the summit, especially one as hard fought as this one. I don't feel good unless I've spent a good hour, which we did. The feeling of leaving, as Ben described it, is always bittersweet.



The Judge. Are you next?



Half the journey is the descent, a fact of which you are painfully aware of on Robie Reid. The downhill portion was fine; one could measure the progress by looking across the valley. But the connector trail seemed endless, endless, plodding. Knowing a km of uphill on a gravel road still awaited us made it more painful. We looked forward to that wonky bridge our sign that the end of the trail was near. Where was it? On and on we went, then suddenly, the gravel road! Why did we not come across the bridge? We only saw one alternate route, but it had flagging tape across it. Too tired, we stumbled into the car and sped homewards.

At a trip time of 13:45, excluding the hour at the summit, we didn't make our goal of a 12 hour return. Maybe on a cooler day. Maybe at a different age. Maybe never. Bye bye Robie Reid. Till next time.

Attached Thumbnails

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Is this the mystery of the pictureless TR as well?


Okay good to see the photos are back, I like looking at Robie Reid pictures and hearing about the trip reports. Nice one.

Weird, some of the photos were deleted when I posted. Fixed now (I hope), though I have 11 photos and only 10 thumbnails!

Congratulations guys, well done!

Wonky bridge I wondered when that popped up on the connector trail until I read at the end that you missed it on the way out. Usually there are little melt rivulets below the snow patches where one can fill a canteen; but the east aspect below the SE peak is sure bare for this early in the year. That does means longer snow free window to get to the summit this year (if we don't have a total forest closure).

Sweet very Sweet. Congratulations on your successful day hike and summit. Your report gave good information on conditions.


K