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:
 ### |
No comments:
Post a Comment