Moosilauke August 26th, 2014

I already have Moosilauke checked off my 71>71 list, so this hike was a repeat or an update.  The reason for going back was that I had told a friend I would repair his family's Dick Sanders memorial plaque at the summit.  The bronze plaque is mounted in a boulder near the stone foundation and was in need of a new surrounding seal.  Any regular White Mountains hiker reading this has probably sat behind one of these stones to get out of the wind.

Dick Sanders story is an interesting one.  He was president of Dartmouth's Outing Club for much of his time there and for a number of years he managed Dartmouth's Summit House on Moosilauke.  The Mountain obviously had special meaning to him.  His time on the Mountain was of another era, but I'll bet most of the stories remembered by his family were of fun times just as ours are now!

Today, packing 8 or 9 pounds of tools and plumber's putty, I made another delightful trip up Gorge Brook Trail to the summit.  The actual repair didn't take long, but the summit was thick with other hikers so a lot of time was spent visiting and swapping stories.  Many at the summit were NOBO AT hikers and you could feel their excitement at reaching the White Mountains and finally being above treeline!  Some were interested in the repair job and the Sanders story.

Below are a few photos, mostly of Gorge Brook Trail's landmark features and a couple at the summit:

One of the log bridges

The stone bridge

View from the first clearing

A fun section of trail

Toad Rock

Looking back to Ravine Lodge

First view of summit

Summit over Bunchberries --- and Cranberries!

Approaching the summit

before repair

after

And a few interesting sights on the way down ---

No one at home

Pretty --- but please don't try eating this one!

When I'm not tripping over them, tree root patterns can be fun

71>71 Moriah August 6th, 2014

I'm becoming quite experienced at hiking the Moriah-Carter-Wildcat Range ------- in the rain!  Two years ago I did most of the range there in delightful weather.  this year I needed North Carter (it's on my list) and Moriah again.  On both hikes I got wet.  Today I got drenched!
I began at the Stony Brook Trailhead for an up and back trip to summit Moriah.  Early on the weather looked to be clearing.  I liked the first mile of Stony Brook.  It passes through nice maturing evergreens with interesting views of the brook.

The mid section of Stony Brook Trail is a straight shot through the woods --- and about as interesting as Iowa, with trees!  But, keep putting one foot in front of the other and you can walk yourself out of anything!

 

Up high Stony Brook becomes very much a White Mountain trail --- steep, stones, roots, etc.  Once you reach the height of land, and the Carter-Moriah Trail, a lovely mile and a half long ridge walk begins.  Yes there are PUDS (pointless ups & downs) but the fir thickets opening up to long ledge walks keep things interesting.

 

I know there are good views from most of the open ledges along this section ---- but I didn't see them today.  This is where it began to rain ---- no, pour!  In the area where I expected to find the short spur to Moriah's summit the trail began descending steeply.  I sensed something was wrong and turned around.  Sure enough --- I had walked right by the junction sign and had been heading down Kenduskeag Trail!  Lesson learned --- the combination of rain hood induced tunnel vision plus constant concentration on wet weather foot placement does not lend itself well to attentive trail navigation.

Do you see the trail jct. sign?  I didn't!

Heading back I met six or eight individuals and small groups of NOBO (north bound) AT through hikers.  Today's terrain and weather should provide them with a small introduction of what to expect in the Mahoosucs and the Hundred Mile wilderness.




As always, if you look hard enough, you can  find some color even on the darkest days!

By the time I finished there was sunshine in the parking lot!

71>71 Liberty & Flume July 25, 2014

Out and back --- Liberty Spring then Franconia Ridge Trails over Liberty to Flume and return.  I began at the north bound Basin parking lot.  Then down the bike path and looked for the woods walk up to the hairpin turn on Liberty Spring trail.  I missed finding it going in, so continued to the established trail junction where LST leaves the bike path.  An uneventful trip up except for the relentless grind from midway to the ridge ---- and the number of hikers passing me by!  I have come to accept a few but when most everyone passes me it becomes a bit discouraging!  "Slow and steady, slow and steady" has become my mantra.  It helps.

Mt. Liberty --- or, Washington lying in state.

Just a few of the rocks on the way up.

On Liberty's summit a bit of lunch, a steady breeze to keep the bugs at bay, and great views in spite of the  lingering haze.

Summit ledges

and views

north along Franconia Ridge

and South to Mt. Flume (next stop.)

Then when on Flume --- looking back to Liberty

 On the return trip I was able to find the short cut between lower Liberty Spring Trail and the bike path.  I hesitate to call it a bushwack (it's pretty well worn, but hard to locate on the low end.)  For those looking for a landmark to find it's junction off the bike path --- just look for this tree!

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!