As we neared Bradley Pond, we saw a cairn that we assumed was for the short-cut herd path to Santanoni that we had read about in trip reports. Even though we planned to follow the popular path through the Times Square trail juncture, we decided to give it a try. However, within a half mile we encountered a big beaver pond and swampy area that made it nearly impossible to find the trail, so we turned around and went back to our planned route. With little recent rain, the trail was pretty dry all the way up to Times Square, where we took a break to get our bearings and prepare for the trail to Couchsachraga. Just before departing, a pair of hikers came around the bend from the Santanoni path, looking for Times Square. They had come up the short-cut path that we abandoned and said it was very wet and steep; they were planning to descend the longer, popular route. We were glad we aborted that route without going too far.
The trail to Couchsachraga was easy to follow, and reasonably dry with only one real swampy area. Nearing the summit, we heard someone blow a very loud horn from the direction of the peak. As we climbed the final pitch, we met a group of boys from a nearby camp starting the descent; their intent was to blow the horn on the summit of each of the day's peaks. We took off our packs on the summit, had a snack, and took a short break. On our return to Times Square, we met the young family that we had passed earlier in the day. There was a girl of about 10 years old, and a very tired boy that could have been no more than 8. They were still moving, but a long way from the car.
At Times Square, we passed the boys from the camp and immediately worked our way down the path to Santanoni. It was only about a mile to the summit, but the herd path was narrow and sharp branches scraped our skin every step of the way. The view on the peak was very limited, but there was a small ledge just East of the summit that had great views of the entire High Peaks region. We sat on the ledge to enjoy our lunch, and let the boys have the crowded summit to blow their horn. After taking a bunch of pictures, we departed for Times Square, saving the easiest peak of the day for last. As we neared the crowded juncture, we met up with the young family that was debating whether they had enough energy and daylight to reach the top of Santanoni.
The trip up to the top of Panther Peak was quick and easy, and we were relieved to find no other people along the path or on the summit. We relaxed with the fantastic views of the Seward and Santanoni ranges for about 20 minutes before strapping on the packs one more time for the trip back towards the car. Soon after clearing through Times Square for the last time that day, we bumped into the young family who had stopped for a break on their descent. We learned that they never made the move towards Santanoni, and that the young boy was feeling quite sick and had already vomited three times. It was not a good situation given that they still had over 6 miles to go and it was getting late. After they declined any assistance, we took off in the direction of the car, quickly passing Bradley Pond, traversing the beaver dam, and generally making good time back to the service road.
Once in the car, we crossed our fingers, started the car, and decided that we still had enough day left to drive up to Lake Placid and visit Kate and Craig who were in town for the Ironman Race.
The total hike was 17.8 miles in 11:20. Thirty-eight High Peaks down; 8 to go.
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