71>71 Eisenhower & Pierce July 18,2014

Thank you Mr. Edmands and the Crawfords for the fine trails you constructed in the White Mountains so many years a go. The thinking that went in to the layout of these trails is evident.  The brute strength, stamina, bashed fingers and swearing it must have taken to get the job done can only be imagined.  I'm not sure I would have taken on, or could have completed, such a herculean task.
Today I hiked up Edmands Path then down the western end of the Crawford Path taking in the summits of Eisenhower and Pierce.  Observing some of the stone placements on both these trails, I thought about all that goes in to any good trail's construction.  I became tired just thinking about it!

Early clouds lifting off Eisenhower's dome.

A well constructed section of Edmands Path

How many trail builders took time to shore up the downslopes of their work?  JR did!

After a relatively moderate climb, Edmands Path curves around a shoulder of Mt. Eisenhower and pops out above tree line with spectacular views east toward Franklin and Washington ---- and of gobs of summer hikers on the vast network of southern Presidential trails.

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Just at the base of Eisenhower Loop is a tiny pond or tarn with alpine flowers blanketed nearby.

Hare's Tail

white flower

yellow flower

Three-Toothed Cinquefoil

mounded lichens

From the trail on Eisenhower there are views west toward, and a mostly open path way to, Mt. Pierce.

Pierce in center directly over the two rock cairns

From the summit of Pierce are good views back toward Eisenhower and Mt. Washington

Domed summit of Eisenhower left of center with Washington far back center.

From here it's back in to the woods on Crawford Path to Crawford Notch.

Gibb's Falls

And to my truck waiting for me at a very crowded parking lot.  A sincere "thank you" to the generous couple that gave me a morning ride between trailheads.  I would not have wanted a two and a half mile road walk at the end of today's hike!

71>71 Cabot July 10th, 2014

Mt. Cabot --- the northern most NH 4000 footer.  I have previously hiked it from the east.  This time I came in from the north via Unknown Pond Trail from Stark then Kilkenny Ridge Trail.  One reason I wanted to try this route was the guidebook's description of a large stand of birch along the trail.  I'm especially fond of nice forests of most all types, and White Birch are a special favorite.

Some of my ancestors in the late 1800's and early 1900's owned peg mills (think short stubby toothpicks.)  They were used primarily for "pegging" shoe soles to the uppers.  Though pegs were being replaced by stitching in this country, they were still in demand in Europe.  Birch was the preferred wood and clear straight grained trees were most desirable.  I suspect my Great Grandfather and I would have had a "difference of opinion" on the need to cut these magnificent trees.  I value them very highly for their aesthetic value alone!

One beautiful tree!

After reaching the first height of land, remote Unknown Pond is reached.  The setting could not be more magnificent.  The only thing missing were trout rising and a loon calling.  The yellow water lilies were there.

The Horn over Unknown Pond

At Unknown Pond, Kilkenny Ridge Trail breaks off to the south passing over The Horn and The Bulge to Mt. Cabot.

Lunch on The Horn looking at The Bulge and Mt. Cabot

Looking South from the Horn

Cabot is one of the more remote 4000 footers, but still I was surprised to not meet a single other hiker on such a beautiful mid-summer's day.  My only companions were the mountain climbing toads.  For a period of time each summer I see lots of toads on most all mountains --- always heading uphill!  Do any of you other hikers EVER see them heading down hill?  I don't.  Which raises the question ---- "why aren't our summits all overrun with toads?"  I for one want to know, "why did the toad climb the mountain and what did he do when he got there?"

Always uphill?

And toadstool season is beginning too

The summit area of Cabot is a wooded ridge.  The "true" summit is identified with a distinctively marked stick.

And then I get to take in all the splendor again on the way down!

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71>71 North & South Twin July 1, 2014

Prior to this hike I had always approached the Twins from the south via Twinway to South then the spur to North.  This was my first time from the north via North Twin Trail.  The first and last thirds of the climb were fun.  The middle third was not --- it was long, steep, buggy, muggy and hot!  Needless to say, I have few photos of the middle.  I was too busy then swatting flies and wiping sweat from my eyes.
The ridge walk between North and South Twin was special (as are most all ridge walks.)  Near the end of the trip down I took the "high water" alternate route avoiding two crossings I had made on the way up.  I am glad I did.  I found a very large stand of Pink Lady Slippers (even though most were past bloom) and the "little tree in the trail" that marks the take off point for the unmaintained, but often used, Firewarden's Trial up Mt Hale.  Something I have heard about, but never known just where to find it.  Now I know!
A few photos of the trip are below  The smudge on the lens was from some misapplied insect repellent!

Little River along the approach

Up

The ridge walk

an interesting scramble

South Twin from North twin Spur trail

South Twin summit

Mountain Cranberry

Labrador Tea

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Pink Lady Slipper

"Little Tree in the Trail"

71>71 Jefferson June 23, 2014

Caps Ridge!  This trail is high on my favorites list.  A walk in the woods is nice --- but being above treeline puts me in a mood I'm not able to experience anywhere else..  Caps Ridge Trail gets me up out of the woods quickly.  And then I get to scramble over rock and ledge looking for a hand hold here and there ------ oh yes, I'm a real mountaineer!  It's short enough so that none of it feels tedious --- and the summit cone, even with it's boulder hopping, seems easier than the middle.  Yes, Caps Ridge has a lot going for it.
I was up there today with the intent (and hope) of finding the alpine flowers on Montecello Lawn in heavy bloom.  I make a loop over to Gulfside and then Cornice back to Caps Ridge.  This route keeps me above treeline a bit longer and gets me off some of the boulders and down into the grasses and sedges where there is soil enough for the alpines.  A few more days of warmer weather should pop out some patches of color.  There was little today.
There was sunshine and warm temperatures and a comfortable breeze and only a few bugs --- a stellar day!  (But, speaking of "bugs," ------- can anyone reading this tell me the name of the gigantic flies that appear to guard the summit rock on Jefferson?  They look like a cross between a Horse Fly, Yellow Jacket and Vampire Bat!  I didn't linger long at the actual summit for fear of bodily harm!)

I've posted photos of this hike before and other posters, on a number of hiking forums, have very good recent pictures of this same hike.  I'll try not to repeat their great work.  But for the non-hikers reading this, here are a few photos to give a flavor of the day:

Jefferson summit

Not sure why I think bog bridges are so photogenic.  But I can't pass up a picture of one!

A unique bunch of pot holes are in a ledge along the trail miles from any brook.

Straight ahead

over these.

Washington  summit across Montecello Lawn

Bunch Berry

Clintonia

Mountain Cranberry

Cinquefoil

Blueberry

And the Mosses with fruiting sporangia are interesting

Club Moss

The decent.

71>71 North Carter June 12, 2014

Today's hike up North Carter was mostly in the rain ----- and there is a story behind that.
Anyone with an observant eye reading these posts may have noticed that all my hikes have been in good weather --- some in stunningly beautiful weather!  That has been by design.  Being retired, I can pick my days --- and why not pick the very best?
Yet, it happened that the only day this week I could be away was Thursday.  The weather forecast for Thursday did not look good. My first thought was to can it.  Really, why get wet when I don't have to?
But on the other hand ---------- why not?  Life, after all, is not all sunshine.  I've been out in the rain before.  I've been soaked through before.  I've put up with boots full of water and rain dripping off my nose before.  Damn, I've been missing some real life experiences by picking only sunny days for my hikes!  Book the hike for Thursday come hell or high water.  So I did.
Up at 5:00 am to a steady drizzle.  The drive over to Pinkham Notch in a heavier rain.  Throwing the pack on my back at the Imp Trailhead in a mist.  A steadier rain and wet brush along the trail through most of the hike up.  Windy and cold at the summit ledge.  Drier on the hike down but more rain on the short road walk between South and North Imp Trail heads and all the way home.  I was wet but not soaked through nor at all uncomfortable.
The hike was a bit more challenging than some others.  I spent a lot of time concerning myself with foot placement --- wet is slippery!  I was reminded that Vibram soles are not magic --- their lugs need nubs to grab hold of.  Smooth rubber on smooth rock, with a film of water in between is to be avoided.  And especially, do not let an instep land on a sloping wet root ----- disaster on a stick!
My gear had to be organized differently compared to a sunny day too.  The camera spent most of it's time tied up in a plastic bag ----- so there are fewer photos of this hike to post.  That's too bad --- I would have liked to have shared more of this experience with you.

Madison & Adams from The Imp face

Looking down on a nearly vertical Imp Brook from The Imp face.

on the ridge

North Carter summit

Washington form South Imp Trail