2017 WHITE MOUNTAIN CROPWALK: WATERVILLE BACKCOUNTRY, 10/14/17

 

On a cloudy fall morning, seven of us gathered at the Livermore trailhead in Waterville Valley for the 29th annual White Mountain Cropwalk, a "hike for hunger" that benefits the programs of Church World Service. This year's participants included Thom Davis, Roger Doucette, Dennis Lynch, Mary Ann McGarry, Candace Morrison, Gary Tompkins and this correspondent. Our route followed a 10 1/2-mile loop past a variety of interesting features in the Waterville backcountry. Since its inception in 1989 our walk has raised more than $77,000 for the anti-hunger programs of Church World Service, with more than $19,000 of that provided to local food pantries in the western White Mountains. We owe the success of our walk to the consistent generosity of our sponsors. The CROP Walk theme is “Ending hunger, one step at a time.” To make a donation for our walk, visit https://www.crophungerwalk.org/lincolnnh

Thanks!

Getting ready to head out from the Livermore trailhead.

Checking out the tall white pines at the end of the Big Pines Path.

Low water on the Mad River.

Along the Livermore Trail.

Ascending a sidecut relocated section of the Kettles Path, fine work performed by the Waterville Valley Athletic & Improvement Association.

Geology professor Thom Davis checks out one of the three deep depressions known as "kettles," reputedly of glacial origin, along the Kettles Path.

 Roger spotted this bear tree along the ascent to The Scaur.

We took a long break at the fine ledgy viewpoint known as The Scaur.

 

Thom surveys the scene from a lofty perch.

Foliage below The Scaur.

The sun began breaking through, opening up the views. It soon turned into a gorgeous sunny, mild October day.

Group photo taken by Gary Tompkins on The Scaur. Left to right: Roger Doucette, Candace Morrison, Mary Ann McGarry, Steve Smith, Thom Davis, Dennis Lynch, and Gary Tompkins.

Looking towards Thornton Gap.

Next up was Irene's Path, a great new trail opened in 2014 to replace the washed-out Flume Brook Trail.

Along Irene's Path.

Prow-like ledge beside the trail.

Nature's sculpture.

Beech color along the ridge.

Fine rock step work crafted by OBP Trailworks. The construction of this trail in very rugged terrain was quite a feat:
https://www.obptrailworks.com/hand-built-trails/irene-s-way/

As the trail descends towards Flume Brook, it passes this unique view towards Mad River Notch.

Mt. Osceola and East Osceola, with the prominent Painted Cliff in the center.

The western knob of Mt. Kancamagus, with the K1 Cliff (in back).

A towering fractured rock wall at the Waterville Flume.

Hanging out at the edge of the Flume.

Flume Brook slides down through the chasm.

Looking back from within the Flume.

The geology prof gives a brief lesson.

Ascending the Old Skidder Trail.

Big rock slab above the Old Skidder Trail.

 Maple and mountain ash color.

The wild upper section of Old Skidder Trail. Lots of hobblebush.

On to the Livermore Trail. Having lingered at several locations, we were running late and skipped a planned side trip out to the Flume Brook Camp clearing.

Descending the upper Livermore Trail was pure delight on this golden October day.

Beautiful corridor.

One of the best parts of the hike. North Tripyramid could be glimpsed through the trees.

Taking a break at the Scaur Ridge Trail junction.

Apple tree at the Avalanche Camp clearing, a logging camp used in the 1930s.

Artifacts.

The camp clearing.

Interesting split on this boulder.

Roger and Gary looking serious at White Cascade on Slide Brook, next to the Livermore Trail.

Beautiful pool below White Cascade.

One of a half-dozen cascades along the Cascade Path.

Admiring the water-sculpted ledges along Cascade Brook.

Two towering pines frame the ledges at the top of another waterfall.

Veiled waterfall vista.

Bird's eye view of the lowest cascade.

Lowest cascade from below.

Along the quiet Norway Rapids Trail.

Crossing Slide Brook at the Norway Rapids. This crossing is normally difficult, but the current low water level made it fairly easy.

The lower section of the scenic Norway Rapids. From here we took the Livermore Trail back to the trailhead, concluding a fine fall day in the Watervlle backcountry.

BALD PEAK: 10/11/17

I hiked up to this ledgy spur of North Kinsman for some fine foliage views and to check on a geocache I'd placed there in 2015.




On the way to the trailhead I made a quick stop at Beaver Pond in Kinsman Notch, a favorite foliage spot, looking across at Mt. Waternomee and Mt. Jim.

Trail closure notice posted at Mt. Kinsman Trail for southern section of Kinsman Ridge Trail, due to the Dilly Cliffs fire.

This old sugarhouse has stood beside the Mount Kinsman Trail for many years.

Fine fall walking through the hardwoods.

First stream crossing, near the site of the old Kinsman Shelter.

Mossy Falls Brook.

The Mount Kinsman Trail is in excellent shape due to the dedication of adopter Bruce Richards. Rock steps and other improvements have been made over the last few years by Bruce and his fellow Trailwrights volunteers.

The trail traverses up across the slope through nice yellow birch forest.

A fine rock waterbar, built to last.

Excellent rock work at the last stream crossing, where a side trail leads down to the edge of the Kinsman Flume.

Junction with the Bald Peak spur trail.

Along the spur trail.

Arriving at Bald Peak, no one around.

Looking south to Mt. Moosilauke, Mt. Clough and the Benton Range.

Moosilauke and Clough.

Good color in the Easton Valley, with Cooley Hill and Cole Hill beyond.

After an initial flurry of logs, my geocache hasn't been found in two years, but it's still there.

Looking across to North Kinsman, its slopes speckled with gold.

I took a prolonged break at this spot, and had the place to myself on this midweek day.

On the way home I made the short, steep descent to Mud Pond (tucked into a secluded pocket near Rt. 116) on a well-used herd path.

South Kinsman rises in the distance.

Stashed canoe, but no paddle.