Just one fat bike track and one set of boot prints on the Livermore Trail when I started out at 1:00 pm.
One of our favorite trails, originally laid out in the 1890s by Arthur L. Goodrich.
This sidecut relocation was fashioned a couple of years ago by volunteers from the Waterville Valley Athletic & Improvement Association.
After.
The deep depressions in the forest known as The Kettles are easier to see with the leaves down. This type of feature was formed when a stranded chunk of glacial ice melted, leaving a bowl-shaped hole in the earth. There are three of these alongside the Kettles Path.
One of about 10 blowdowns along the 0.9 mile trail. Not bad compared to many trails after the Halloween storm. I was able to remove all but one stepover by sawing or dragging.
Squirrels had used this one as an elevated highway.
After.
This giant white ash is battered, but a survivor.
It was cold and very windy on the dark, steep climb up the north side of The Scaur.
A new sign in the traditional WVAIA black-on-yellow pattern.
A beautiful wintry scene presented itself at the ledgy outlook.
It was downright balmy in the sun here, compared to the bitter cold just a few yards to the north.
Some turkeys had apparently come up to check out the view.
Around the corner it looked like a turkey convention.
Sandwich Dome and Jennings Peak.
Winter had come early to Middle and South Tripyramid.
Clouds racing across Mt. Tecumseh.
A peek at East Osceola and the Painted Cliff.
Mt. Osceola eventually emerged from the clouds.
The mysterious Lost Pass is tucked in amidst these trailless ridges.
The open hardwoods under the cliffs beckoned for a bushwhack descent back to the trail below The Scaur.
The "Rock of Gibraltar" a short distance along Irene's Path.
Long late afternoon shadows in the hardwoods.
Looking back up.
The base of this fallen giant was peppered with squirrel tracks.
A rock-gripping yellow birch.
So beautiful! I love the afternoon light through the trees.
ReplyDelete