A fun and interesting day. Began early at Howker Ridge trailhead off Pinkham B Road for an up and back hike. Weather was gray with occasional drizzle. Stayed that way till just before end of hike when peeks of sun shone through.
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| Trail begins on a side hill swamp. |
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| But soon follows Bumpas Brook with interesting water features. |
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After the brook is the Bear Pit and a beautiful stand of Spruce.
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| Remember this spot! |
Up over Howk 1, 2 and 3 to Howk #4 was wet. At one point I saw a slug climbing up a spider web off the saturated ground!
At 4th Howk, even though it rained, the alpines were making a show.
On the way down I began to think I might see a moose because of all the moose poop on 1st Howk.
When I got to the thick young spruces, near the Bear Pit, I stopped to admire them again ------ and something in them moved!
Then it appeared up out of the greenery. I tried to make it take the shape of a moose, but it didn't. Then it struck me ---- it's a bear! It's a very big bear. It's right in my face. Does it have a cub? I may be in deep shit here. Do black bear bury their kill like grizzles do? I may never be seen again! Instinctively my hiking poles came up to the ready and I yelled. The bear fell forward back down on it's front legs, but that made it appear to be lunging ahead. I yelled again. The shrubbry thrashed, there was some grunting ------- and the bear ran away from me! As I said earlier, it was an interesting day to be out in the woods!
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