Mid-October Ramblings

Catching up on some recent wanders in the mountains.

 

MOUNT PEMIGEWASSET 

 

Interior foliage along Indian Head Trail on the first of two climbs of Mount Pemigewasset. 

 

Down-look from the summit cliffs.

Looking across to the massive SE spur of South Kinsman.

I completed a traverse of the mountain via a bushwhack down to an eastern view ledge (where unfortunately the views were obscured by lowering clouds), a descent via Mount Pemigewasset Trail, and a walk down Route 3.

 

Two days later I returned to Mount Pemigewasset and did the bushwhack to the eastern view ledge in reverse, to get those views that were denied on the first visit. On the second trip the unique vista up the Flume Brook valley to Mounts Flume and Liberty (which was once available at the summit, before the trees grew up) was crystal-clear.

Close-up of Mount Flume and the Flume Slides.

 

 

 

 

Here there's also a view of Mounts Lafayette and Lincoln and Little Haystack Mountain.

 

From the eastern ledge I bushwhacked up through spruce woods to the summit and enjoyed its view for a while, including this look at Mount Moosilauke behind Mount Wolf.

 

Long view down the Pemigewasset River valley.

 

 

PROFILE LAKE

 

Late one afternoon I did a short loop walk around Profile Lake using the Pemi Trail and the bike path, enjoying this view of Eagle Cliff along the shore. 

A close look at the remaining open section of the large slide that fell on the steep slope below Eagle Cliff in 1947, partly burying Route 3.

On the way home, evening light on Mount Flume seen from the Flume parking lot.
 

 

 

KETTLES PATH MAINTENANCE

Fall maintenance trip to my adopted trail in Waterville Valley, the Kettles Path, which ascends from Livermore Trail to the ledgy outlook known as The Scaur.  

 

 

 

Surprisingly, there was only one blowdown, a decent-sized stepover spruce.

 

 

Two cuts and forty minutes later, cleared.

 I spent a good bit of time trimming back beech saplings along the hardwood sections of the trail.

 

Cleared blankets of dry fluffy leaves from 17 drainages.

The view over the Waterville Valley region from The Scaur is the reward at the top. Sandwich Dome in the distance.

 

 

 Looking eastward to Middle & South Tripyramid.

 

 

 

SACO RIVER TRAIL & WEBSTER TALUS 

View up to the south end of the Webster Cliffs from the parking area for Webster Cliff Trail. 

 

 

October gold along Saco River Trail.

View of Mount Willey from a beaver pond along Saco River Trail.

 

 

Bushwhacking up to a talus slope on the steep slope of Mount Webster, not far above the trail.

 

The jumbled rocks were bigger than I expected.

 

With some careful maneuvering I got out onto the talus slope.

Looking down Crawford Notch to the Frankenstein Cliff plateau.

 

Peering up the notch to the looming Mount Willey. 

 

 

 

 

Looking up the talus slope to the Webster Cliffs high above. The open rocks extend quite a bit higher up the slope, but this was far enough for me. 

 

 

WEBSTER CLIFF TRAIL

The next day I returned to Crawford Notch for a second traverse of the long (~1.2 mile) new relocation on Webster Cliff Trail as it ascends to the ridge. I walked this route back in August, but at that time the lower ~0.2 mile was only flagged and not cut. Now the relocation is "open for business." 

This iconic weathered sign will be replaced next year but will be preserved for its historic value.

 

 The lower section of Webster Cliff Trail ascends moderately through a fine hardwood forest. 

At 1.1 mile, along a steep pitch, the long relocation begins.

 

With its many switchbacks, benched footbed and easy to at most moderate grades, the relocation makes the ascent to the ridge quite pleasant. Great work by the AMC trail crew working with the WMNF trail folks.

The long relocation, and a very short one just above, bring you almost up to the first view ledge along the cliffs. 

 

A steep climb of 0.1 mile on the older trail gets you there.

 

 

 

 

The first viewpoint, an expansive ledge at 3,020 ft., is a worthy objective for a half-day hike. With the relocation the distance is 0.6 mile longer, but it's easier. It's now a 4.8 mile round trip with 1750 ft. of elevation gain. Most striking is the view of the Willey Range across Crawford Notch.

 

Looking across the high plateau west of Crawford Notch to the gentle crest of Ethan Ridge, on the eastern edge of the Pemigewasset Wilderness. Mounts Carrigain and Hancock in the distance.

Looking south to Mount Chocorua and the peaks of the Bear Notch area. Mount Passaconaway peeks over on the right.

Peering down to the floor of the Notch and Route 302. 

A colony of Jack Pines inhabits this gravelly shelf below the outlook - one of only a handful of sites where this northern fire-dependent species is found in the Whites. Other stands are found on Welch Mountain and Chocorua's Carter Ledge.

 

There are a couple of nice level sections interspersed with steep, rough pitches as you head north up the ridge.

 

 

One of the rough sections.

 

This scramble just below the second outlook is "interesting" with a steep dropoff on the left. 

 

 

Though much smaller than the first view ledge, this outlook has an excellent view south.

 

Bondcliff and Mount Bond, way out in the Pemi.

 

 

Not a bad spot to hang out for a while.

Heading up to the next outlooks.

Looking down at the Willey House site.

 

This open stretch is one of my favorite spots along the ridge.

Just above is this expansive ledge with a large cairn.

 

 

 

A peek at Mount Washington and Boott Spur.

Peaks in Vermont's Northeast Kingdom in the distance beyond Mount Willard. This was my turn-around point for the day.

 

 

 

Heading back down a steep scramble, where the butt came into play.  I always liked this quote from older editions of the AMC White Mountain Guide: “The views along the cliffs of Mt. Webster are such that anyone with a normal appreciation of the grandeur of mountain scenery will add at least 2 hr. for their enjoyment. There is nothing finer in the White Mountains.”