Gossamer Gear Mariposa - A year in review

Let me start out by saying that I love this backpack!  When I made the switch from a traditional internal frame backpack to the GG Mariposa I was unsure what to expect.  Would it be uncomfortable?  Would it shift around or ride funny?  It has done none of those things.  It rides like a dream, holds everything that I have stuffed into it and is very comfortable.  I have used it both loaded to its 70 liter capacity and with a small amount of gear as well.

This version of the Mariposa is made with 140 denier Dyneema Gridstop fabric.  This is a tough fabric that has performed great with all the miles I have put it through.  It does a pretty good job of keeping water out, though I still use a trash compacter bag as a liner.  The suspension on the Mariposa is similar to most any backpack, consisting of shoulder straps, a hip belt, load lifters and a sternum strap.  The unique part is the light weight aluminum stay that provides the support for the pack.  The Mariposa also comes with a removable sit pad that fits into the pack and rests against your back.  It provides some support as well and may be all that is needed for ultra lightweight loads.  All of these components lead to a comfortable fit and feel that makes the miles go by.

I like the configuration of pockets on the Mariposa has as well.  It has a total of 7 pockets.  On the left of the main compartment is a long pocket that could hold a tent or other sizable gear.  I usually keep my hammock tarp and ridgeline in this pocket so it is easy to get to and set up.  On the right side are two pockets.  The top one is a good size for a cook kit, which is how I use it most of the time.  The bottom pocket works great for my water bottles.  Lately, I am using the 1 liter size Smartwater, but I have used Gatorade bottles as well.  The elastic band at the top accommodates all of these with ease.  I also like the position of this pocket as I can reach back and grab a bottle and put it back without having to take the pack off.  On the back of the pack is a large mesh stretch pocket that impresses me with how much I can stuff into it.  Everything from my fleece jacket, water filter, ground sheet, tent stakes, fuel bottles, you name it, it seems bottomless! On the hip belt are two pockets, one on each side, they hold small items, such as snacks, camera, etc.  On the top of the pack is a zippered pocket.  This is a nice spot for maps, headlamp, anything that you want to stay dry but need easy access to.

The main compartment is quite large as this is a 70L pack.  There are times it is difficult to see into the bottom because the top flips down into the way.  This can get a little annoying, but it can be rolled back out of the way if you are going in and out of the pack.

It was an easy transition for me to go from a traditional internal frame pack to the GG Mariposa.  I recommend anyone looking for a new pack to check out GossamerGear.  The Mariposa was just updated (summer 2014) and the new changes look exciting. 

Disclaimer: Andy Fenn purchased the Gossamer Gear Mariposa with his own money.

Jug End to Salisbury, CT

I went backpacking with the Boy Scouts this weekend.  We had a great hike from Jug End south to Salisbury.  We hiked in at night, leaving the trail head at 6pm Friday night.  Our plan was to make it to Glen Brook Shelter for the night, which we arrived at about 9pm.  It was a beautiful night for a hike and the views along this section were impressive even in the dark.  The stars were out and we stopped a few times to do a little star gazing.

From Jug End road the trail climbs steadily for a little bit then it gets steeper with a few switchbacks thrown in.  Blazes along this section were a little hard to see as the light faded but we made it up to the first lookout before we needed our headlamps.  The trail then walks along the ridge with little elevation change.  It drops down slightly to the intersection with the Elbow Trail and climbs back up to the Glen Brook and Hemlocks camping areas.  We stayed at Glen Brook and it looks like there was quite a wind storm there not long ago as there were many trees down.  We set up camp and ate a quick dinner before I climbed in my Warbonnet Blackbird hammock for a comfortable night sleep.  Temps were mild at about 53*.

After a quick breakfast of oatmeal and trail coffee we climbed up Mt Everett.  Its an easy to moderate climb up to the summit  with some nice views along the way.  The summit is 2602ft with a sign marking where a fire tower once stood.

Going down the south side was tricky as it is pretty steep with leaf covered rocks.  The rocks were wet as well and our pace slowed considerably as we had to be careful with every step down.  The trail then winds through a short valley and climbs back up Mt. Race to 2372ft.  There are some nice views looking north and west just before the actual summit.  Then the trail heads to the east before turning south to walk along the ridge with views looking east into the valley above Salisbury.  We ate a short trail lunch on Mt Race and were back hiking after about 15 minutes

Looking back to Mt. Everett

The trail continues down eventually bottoming out in Sages Ravine and crossing from MA into CT. Then climbing up about 600 or so feet to the top of Bear Mountain.  The trail from the top of Mt Race to Sages is gradual and an enjoyable hike.  The valley still is visible through the trees to the east and there are no steep areas.  Sages Ravine follows along a brook with some nice pools that look inviting for a swim during warm weather.  I bet there may be some native brook trout in some of those pools as well.  The trail then begins to ascend slowly at first then it gets steeper as you go up.  At one point you will need to do some rock climbing with both hands to get to the top of Bear Mt.

Bear Mt offers some nice views at the top looking over Salisbury and south.  The trail goes down without much trouble.  There are no real steep parts on the south side.  From the intersection with Bear Mt road to the Riga shelter is a smooth flat trail that you can really move on.  Our pace really picked up along this section and we were at Riga in no time.  It is about a 10 mile section from Glen Brook to Riga Shelter.  It has varied terrain and nice views spaced out along the way.  I really enjoyed this section.

Plaque on Bear Mt

The weather was all over the place this weekend as we had sun in the morning and periodically throughout the day.  It rained hard just before we started up Bear Mt. which made the trail a running stream and made everything slippery.  Saturday night brought gusty winds all night long.  Temps got down to the low 40's overnight.

Sunday was cloudy in the early morning as we made our way south to Lions Head and out the spur trail to the Bunker Hill parking lot.  Great hike and a very good section of the AT.  I will be back to hike this section again.

Spur of the moment hike

I got the opportunity for a quick hike this afternoon and hiked the Henry Buck trail in American Legion State Forest.  This is a 2 mile loop trail that climbs up from the Farmington River and follows a trail that the CCC built in 1935.  From the river road its a fairly steep climb straight up to the top of the ridge.  The trail then cuts across the ridge with some view points along the way that look out over the valley.  Along the ridge the CCC workers built many stone stairs along the trail and some stone walls and walkways that are very impressive.  At about the mid point of the trail there is a plaque set in the rock face above the trail.  The plaque dedicates the trail in the name of Henry Buck.

As the trail descends back toward the river there are some interesting rock formations and drop offs. The trail then seems to follow an old stream bed until you level out back at the road level.  The trail travels mostly through hardwood forest and is speckled with large boulders along the top.  It is a nice quick hike for an afternoon with nice views of the valley.  At this time the leaves are just starting to turn.  Peak fall color will probably be in another week or two and that should make the views even better.

Alander Mountain

While camping this past weekend I was able to climb Alander Mountain in the Southwestern corner of Massachuesetts.  Using the Alander Mtn. Trail, the weather was less then cooperative for this short 3.5 mile hike to the summit from the Mount Washington State Forest headquarters.  It was raining quite heavily as I made my way over slick rock covered trail.  When I came to the cabin near the summit I was able to take a short break from the rain inside.  After a quick break in the empty cabin, I made my way to the summit.  I took a few pictures at the firetower footings but the wind, rain and fog made for a poor view.

The wind must have been gusting around 50 mph on top.  I didn't stay long and made my way back to my campsite.  It was a wet camping trip but I am glad I was able to get to the summit.  I look forward to exploring more of this area as it is quite beautiful.