I've been thinking about where I can keep hiking for Winter that is not a 4000 footer. This should be easy, just pick a place but really I am overwhelmed with ideas. I need a cruise director to manage this shit for me.
I want to hike all the places!!!
So maybe I can tick off some 52 with a view peaks. I have a few but there are almost 50 left to see. This being one of them. It is also right around the corner from the Notch Hostel where I stayed so I scored my normal hash and eggs breakfast and headed out.
To the wrong lot of course.
After loading up and hiking about 50 feet in, I finally think Nah this isn't it you fool. I jump back in my car drive back to the previous lot for the Flume Gorge and " wah-lah".
Fun little fact-I rarely get lost in the woods but I frequently roam around looking for the start of a trail. I mean I have maps and all but I need the "look behind the red shed " directions which you need to locate on the internet.
And away I go, with the big yellow arrow for the blind girl with the bifocals. 1.5 miles to go at 9:15am.
I think about the people. I am in love with the idea of tiny people traveling on these incredible mountains. I see them walking along the roadside and I know they are starting or finishing a journey. I see the cars parked with frosted windows and I know they are camped out there somewhere. Living on only what they carried in on their back. They may have bikes or skis or tents with them and I smile. These people are doing incredibly huge things and I am excited to be part of that. We might be traveling solo but we are together in our love of the outdoors.
Once I walked through the tunnels I was happily deposited into these woods. There was water bubbling all around for most of the hike. I crossed or walked along it many times but it was minimal and easy to cross this time of year. I was slightly conscious of my breathing, number of stops and heat management. It is the coolest thing to look over your shoulder and see steam.The reminder I needed to drink more water. Today was much more manageable than yesterday. In the 30's I went down to my base layer and took off the neck gaiter. The gloves and hat were a lighter version and I took the hat off often to vent. If only it could stay 25-30 all Winter I would be fine.
I was told to walk around to the front of the mountain once I reached the cliff and I would say this is a cliff. Stunning! Once I walked around I caught a little glimpse of Franconia Ridge over the top of the trees.
I wanted to make it a loop so just after you leave the Summit there is a fork in the trail and I took the left. The trail was definitely less used and looked to be bare boots and dog paws only. I ascended in micro spikes but decided to put on snow shoes for the descent. The beginning turned out to be on the narrow side but it was good practice in balance and swearing under my breathe.
I bumped into a family making their way up so I knew I was getting closer to the end. What I didn't expect was this little gem. See the tunnels on the Pemigewasset trail were almost as wide as a car so as I walked towards this I was thinking-I MUST be going the wrong way but the footsteps all come this way. To my left is a wire fence to keep me off private property and from walking onto the highway and to my right is a riverbed so straight is all I can do.
Nope, this is it. I'm under the highway. Weird isn't it?
A short time later I step into the parking lot for the Indian Head trail and unstrap the snow shoes. I have a 1 mile uphill road walk. I think there is supposed to be a bike path or trail across the street but I just stuck to the road. The view wasn't too bad and although I forgot some advice I was given about doing this in the opposite direction it was a great hike.
Even the parking lot views were great.
Back to the Subaru by 1pm.
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