71>71 Tom, Field & Willey --- June 27th, 2013

Lucky Day!

I had been anxious to get in a hike this week because I know I'll have to miss some weeks in July when I begin a remodeling project here at camp.  But the weather forecasts have been horrible and my chances were looking ify.  Then I came up with a plan that let me bail out at two different points if the rain got bad.  It worked perfectly.  I bagged three peaks, felt only a light sprinkle of rain and, I saw a Pine Marten!

I don't keep any formal "Bucket List" but if I did, seeing a Pine Marten in the wild would be near the top.  Why?  Because I had never seen one and I've always wanted to.  I have come upon most all the other creatures that frequent places up high --- the Canada Jays, Lynx, Moose, Spruce Grouse, etc. but this one had eluded me ----- till today.



"Looking for three piles of stone in the woods" is a phrase I might have used to describe today's hike if I hadn't seen the Marten.  The summits of Tom, Field and Willey are wooded.  Cairns identify them.  Views are found only at open ledges or fir waves.

Tom's summit cairn

 

Field

Willey

The day began foggy but then brightened till some heavier weather again during early afternoon.

Trailhead is at the Crawford Notch RR station

Early the trial is in nice stands of birch

but then transisions to mixed woods nearer the ridge.

Wooded ridge walks are always a lot of fun.  I'm convinced that Bilbo Baggins lives up here --------------

But of course there is the wind, and blowdowns -------------

I had just come out of this mess when I saw the Pine Marten step on to the trail about 20 feet ahead of me.  I fumbled for my camera, it looked at me then jumped off trail and disappeared.  So I do not have photographic evidence --- but I'll keep trying!                                                        (Thanks for all your work, Trailcrew!)

A few views:

Field form Tom

Tom from Field

Willey from Field

Carrigain Notch

telephoto of Mt. Washington Hotel

And there were some nice cascades on the brook near the end:

Looking back up at Field and Tom from the parking lot:

###

71>71 Carrigain --- June 19, 2013

1960

2013

Just a few years since I was last on Carrigain.  

There were some differences:  

Then I hiked it in an afternoon.  (I had also hiked to Zealand's summit that morning.  Both are 10 mile round trips!)  Today it took me 7 1/2 hours on Carrigain alone.

Then I don't remember meeting any other hikers.  Today there were at least a dozen --- and 3 dogs.

Then there was a fire tower on top.  Today there is just a platform.

And yet, some things stay the same: 

Then I wrote, "---- a beautiful day and the views were wonderful and you really work for them on that mountain --- a long steady climb all the way."  Today I would say the same!

Except for some very nice woods walking at the beginning, this is typical of much of the trail up to Signal Ridge.

With an occasional wet spot.

Then, after breaking through the twiggy wood ----- 

----- a view opens up.  Carrigan Notch leading into the Pemi Wilderness on the left.

Then along the ridge to the summit.

And another contrast on the tower --- 2013 & 1960.

My lunch spot.  Best seat in the house!

With flowers on the table!

71>71 East Oseola & Oseola --- June 4th 2013

An early start from the Greeley Ponds Trailhead off the Kancamagus Highway.  Moderate going till after turning west onto Oseola Trail.  Then a wall of ledge appears directly ahead!

The trail, though, bears left and goes up and up and up just slightly less steep than the ledge.

It's critical here to stay attentive to your foot placement --- but an occasional break to admire a wildflower or a view is probably important to.

Painted Trillium

North Tripyramid

Eventually light shows ahead and the trail breaks through onto a ridgeline --- with a view down to Upper Greeley Pond.

Up along the ridge a ways is the viewless summit of East Oseola.

Then it's up and down a few more times and through the "chimney" to splendid views from the summit of Oseola itself.

Since the weather was lowering and thickening, I headed back the way I'd come with few photo stops.
----- Along the ridge to East Oseola, down to Greeley Pond Trail and out to my truck at the Kanc.

Looking to East Oseola from Oseola

71>71 Peaks Climbed During May 2013

To bring the blog fully up to date, I'll mention hikes I've done so far this spring:

Jackson --- May 7th

Snow above 3000 feet, Jackson summit ahead

One of the many Jackson Gray Jays

A beautiful day to be up high

  North & South Kinsman --- May 15th

North from near South

South from North

Half way down I found the site of Kinsman Cabin where I spent a lot of time as a boy

South Moosilauke --- May 22nd

                       For a change of pace, here is a 360 degree panorama from South Moosilauke's summit


Waumbek --- May 30th

Actually, I forgot to pack my camera.  This photo is from a year ago on the Middle-Earth-like Waumbek ridge walk