Derek had signed us in around 7:15 am. It was an overcast day, which we knew from the previous day's forecast which meant we expected little to no views from the summit. The temps for the day were supposed to be in the 40's, it was a good temperature to be hiking in.
The trip from the garden parking lot is, or has become a monotonous march into Johns Brook Lodge, roughly 3 miles of gradual elevation gain over rolling terrain. We arrived at the rangers interior outpost around 9:20. We signed in and then took a left over the footbridge, taking us up what I assume at that point becomes the Ore Bed trail, left from there is the old Southside trail, presently closed.
The Ore Bed trail from this point up to the 5-way intersection is pure...