On a sunny spring day with summer-like heat in the afternoon, I returned to the south side of Mt. Liberty for some more off-trail exploration. This trek would involve a bushwhack halfway up the mountain's SW ridge with visits to several destinations.
Temperatures were comfortably cool along the bike path in the morning.
Back onto the mellow lower section of Flume Slide Trail.
The major tributary of Flume Brook crossed about a half-mile in was flowing strong with snowmelt.
Trout Lilies were still very much on display.
A single bellwort blossom.
A field of False Hellebore in a wet area.
The broad SW ridge of Liberty is seen on the left in this photo taken from a parking lot at Indian Head Resort. I was intrigued by the snowy opening amidst a vast birch glade halfway up the ridge - an opening with potential views. On the right is the open swath of the main 1883 slide off Liberty, which I had visited two days earlier.
This 1920s postcard reveals that the 1883 slide had two additional branches on the left side of the ravine. I planned to visit remnant open patches on both - at the bottom of the left branch and at the top of the right branch.
Great hardwood whacking on the lower part of the ridge.
For the first hundred feet or so of elevation I weaved around numerous Trout Lily patches, taking care not to trample the beautiful flowers.
A gorgeous glade at 2550 ft.
Stubby survivor of many winters.
Elbow tree.
Birch graveyard.
Some maneuvering in steep terrain brought me to this open gravelly patch at the base of one of the forks of the 1883 slide.
At the top there was a partial view to the south.
From here I climbed a steep slope through acres and acres of white birches, the legacy of a 1908 forest fire.
These glades will be carpeted with ferns in the summer.
It was a hot climb in the sun, with no shade and temps in the eighties.
I was not the only visitor to the glades.
At ~3200 ft. I reached the open patch I had spotted from below, with partial views to the south.
The pointy peak of Big Coolidge Mountain near Lincoln.
Nice view of Mt. Moosilauke and its satellite ridges.
The birches continue farther up this steep slope.
I made a steep sidehill traverse to reach the top of the other 1883 slide fork.
This slide is still partly open, but the ledge slabs are soaking wet.
I found a safe seat at the top and enjoyed a long view to the south.
Back in the birches, I found an early 1900s logging road and followed it partway down.
Skiers could make some turns through here, but it's a long way up.
Twisted.
Peaceful scene, with Mt. Liberty glimpsed in the background.
Springtime buddies.
Picturesque patch.
Catskill-like - the ultimate compliment for a hardwood forest.
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