Checking on some trails over in Pinkham Notch on a fine sunny day. Still feeling the effects of a lingering cold, so no major climbing this day.
I started at the recently reconstructed parking area for Glen Ellis Falls, where the trail to the falls, Wildcat Ridge Trail, and Glen Boulder Trail all begin.
Wildcat Ridge Trail briefly climbs up on the embankment of Route 16 before crossing the Ellis River.
Cascades along the Ellis River, en route to the big falls.
A viewpoint along the trail to Glen Ellis Falls.
Lots of great stonework.
Glen Ellis Falls from below.
The falls from an upper viewpoint.
Next, I drove over to Wildcat Ski Area to check in on Thompson Falls Trail.
The first part of the trail coincides with the "Way of the Wildcat" nature trail, which has several interpretive stops.
A small cascade along the trail.
The lower and main cascade of Thompson Falls. The trail is very easy to here (0.6 mile, 100-ft. elevation gain) and the vast majority of visitors stop at this point.
Side view.
The trail continues for 0.1 mile above the lower falls, but it is rough, poorly marked and little-used. Not recommended for the casual hiker.
This seems to be where the trail crosses Thompson Brook above the lower falls. It's a sketchy crossing on slippery rocks.
There are several more cascades as the trail climbs steeply along the north bank of Thompson Brook.
A bit higher up there's a neat area of open ledges and waterslides.
Looking down a waterslide.
From the top of these ledges there's a partial view of Mount Washington. The summit was socked in but I could see Lion Head and the upper Tuckerman Ravine headwall. The trail seemed to fade out above here, but apparently it continues a bit farther to an "End of Trail" sign.
I drove back to the AMC Pinkham Notch parking lot for a hike on Lost Pond Trail and up the lower part of the steep climb on Wildcat Ridge Trail to check in on the infamous chimney.
A nice boardwalk crosses the wetland area at the head of the Ellis River.
A nice view north to the little ridge traversed by Liebeskind's Loop.
An excellent angle on Huntington Ravine.
A scenic spot along the Ellis River.
View from the north end of Lost Pond.
Mount Washington view from Lost Pond.
One of the all-time great pond-side sitting rocks.
View from atop a large boulder at the south end of the pond.
Though the grades are easy, Lost Pond Trail presents some rough and rocky footing with a bit of boulder scrambling.
On to Wildcat Ridge Trail.
The relentlessly steep climb soon begins.
A short scramble leading up to bigger scrambles.
This pitch looks daunting, but the footholds are good.
From the top of the pitch, hikers make their way down.
Just above here is the notorious chimney, probably the trickiest spot on this steep, rugged trail.
Closer look. It was late in the afternoon and I had no intention of continuing up the trail to Wildcats E and D. After contemplating this pitch, I decided I did not want to go up it and then back down it.
This spot has a nice view south down the Ellis River valley (the first vista along the trail), so I decided to hang here for a while and then head back down.
Wider view.
Looking into the Gulf of Slides.
Quartz outcrop.
Starting the descent.
There's quite a dropoff along the edge of this traverse.
Steep descent on rock steps.
Near trail's end, a short diversion on Square Ledge Trail to Lady's Lookout.
