Early Spring Scenes: Late March

Mt. Lafayette rises above the Lafayette Brook ravine in this view from the old highway bridge at the Gallen Memorial site off Exit 34C, I-93. One of the best roadside vistas in the Whites.

Old woods road alongside Lafayette Brook. South-facing and melted out.

Pitch pine glade along Flax Pond Trail in Cape Cod's Nickerson State Park. Definitely snow-free!

One of several sandy beaches along the Flax Pond Trail. Flax Pond is one of several classic kettle ponds in Nickerson State Park.

Must be off-season at the Welch-Dickey trailhead.

Dry, bare ground in the oak forest on the lower mile of the south-facing trail up Dickey Mountain. Plenty of ice lurks in the conifers around the ledges on the upper half of the trail.

Impressive rock step work.

Peering over at Welch Mountain on one of Dickey's many expansive granite ledges.

View across the valley to the Campton Range.

Long view to the south.

Down-look from the massive ledge known as the Dickey Cliff.

Looking across to Dickey's summit.

A partial return to winter on an afternoon hike halfway up Old Bridle Path, with several inches of fresh snow turning wet in the brilliant spring sun.

The winter glory of Franconia Ridge was temporarily restored.

The striking slide-scarred amphitheater at the head of Dry Brook Ravine, between Mt. Lincoln and Little Haystack.

Mt. Lincoln and the southern ravine of Walker Brook, including Lincoln's Throat in the center.

Mt. Lafayette and the north branch of Walker Ravine.

Looking down into the north branch ravine.

 

The view up Agony Ridge.

The sun was warm and there was no wind, so I sat for a long time contemplating the view, and retracing the four bushwhacks I enjoyed to the slides in these ravines during the winter just past.