Piper Mountain - November 4, 2015

Journal Entry from a hike Chunk & I did last fall:

Decided to hike a local mountain today since it was absolutely beautiful outside. Took Chunk along with me and it turns out he's a great mountain dog. We followed the Red Trail up and back which starts on Carriage Rd. 

Here is a link for trail info for anybody wanting to give this a try. Well worth it.

Piper Mountain Trail Info

And here are a few pics of us on Piper Mountain.

Ken Chimes In On The Rest Room Issue

Have we become such a nanny state that we need the Govt. to tell us which restrooms to use? Is this not something we can decide for ourselves?

It wasn't that long ago that if a place had a restroom, there was one. And it was outside. Everybody used it, no hassles.

Fast forward to the era of indoor plumbing. Restrooms were inside and at some point one bathroom wasn't enough. I'm not sure if it was because gals didn't want to share because guys are gross (we are), or if it's because guys didn't want to share because gals take so long (you do). But at some point it was decided that we needed a separate restroom for each gender.

Which brings us to today, where for some reason we've become so reliant upon Big Brother to do all of our thinking for us that we can't seem to settle this one simple act for ourselves.

Guys, who among us has never "stood guard" outside the men's room so our dates could use it because the line to the ladies room was so freakin' long.

Ladies, when is the last time you went to the ladies room alone? Never. You go in groups. And what happened to a guy that was caught using the ladies room? You either harassed the hell out of him until he left or you all left until he was done. Then you harassed him while he walked out.

Mom's, who among you has never taken your little boy into the ladies room with you?

My point is, we've all seen circumstances where the "wrong" gendered person was not in their designated rest room but we managed to work it out and the world didn't come to an end.

In a time when our Govt. is involving itself in every aspect of our lives, this certainly should be one area we can manage on our own....

Whiteface Mountain - Belknap Mountain Range - May 10, 2016

This morning's episode of Chunk & I finds your intrepid explorers on the Piper/Whiteface Trail of the Belknap Mountain Range. This is another well maintained, well marked trail that makes a gradual ascent to Piper and Whiteface Mountains. 

                                                     Beginning of the trail

We couldn't have asked for better weather with bright sun, a bluebird sky and just enough breeze to slow the blackflies down a bit. This section is a footpath trail that we were able to follow with very little difficulty. 

                                     This kiosk marks the official beginning to the trail

We poked our way along taking time to enjoy some of the sites along the way. I found this abandoned camp to be interesting. I'm sure there is a story behind it.

                                                     

It wasn't long before we had a decision to make. Do we head for Piper or go to Whiteface.

                                              Blue Trail for Whiteface, Green for Piper

The decision was a tough one because Piper Mountain is beautiful and the Whiteface Cliffs are in that direction, but since we had done Piper last fall we decided to stay on the blue trail for the summit of Whiteface Mountain with views of the cliffs. In all fairness to Chunk, I think he wanted to do both, but seeing as I was on the business end of the leash....

From this point on, the trail is open to ATV use, which means ruts, mudholes, and lots of loose rock which can make for tricky footing in places. I'm not anti-ATV and I'm glad they have a place to ride, but it does mean that hikers have to be a little more careful on this section of the trail. 

It wasn't long before we made our way to the summit. Here are some views from atop. I can't believe I didn't get a shot of the Cliffs...

We took some time to enjoy the views, have some water and take a couple of selfies.

And exchange a kiss.

Thanks for reading and following along.

Here is a link in case anyone wants to give this hike a try.

Whiteface Mountain Info

Pine Mountain - May 6, 2016

This morning's hike found me in our old stomping grounds, just up the road a bit from our old house.

Photo 1 is a shot of Straightback Mountain. I've written before about many of the fun times we've had there.

Photo 2 shows Avery Hill in the foreground, Durrell Mountain to it's eleven o'clock, and next door to where we live now, and three bumps over way in the distance, dressed in blue is Mount Kearsarge.

Photo 3 is looking down on Alton Bay's Echo Point and Black Point.

Not in the picture but behind me is the site of many deer hunts, some successful, some not, but all of them fun.

To get to the old house from here, turn about 204 degrees, and walk about three and half miles.

Link to Trail Info:
Pine Mountain

First Ascent Of The Season: Mount Rowe

Today was the kind of day I love; temps on the coolish side, mid forties, overcast, grey and drizzly. I enjoy being out in this weather as I find the conditions bracing and the people scarce. So it was the kind of day that I thought would be ideal for Chunk & I to head for our local mountains. Today's summit of choice, Mount Rowe.

Mount Rowe is part of the Belknap Range, located next to Gunstock Mountain and has a big radio tower perched on top. There are a few trails that can get you to the top and the one we chose was "The Blue Trail", better known coincidentally enough as the Mount Rowe Trail. 

                                                  Map at the beginning of the trail.

The trail starts out behind the Gilford Elementary School and follows the Nature Trail across the foot bridge and into the woods. Once in the woods the two trails separate, Red markers for the Nature Trail, Blue for Mount Rowe.

                                                    Starting out on The Blue Trail

The trail is well maintained by the Belknap Range Trail Tenders and is really well marked. It is very easy to follow, and has plenty along the way to hold one's interest. So it was that Chunk & I embarked on this trail to see what it would have in store for us. We hadn't gone very far before we came to the location of the old Benjamin Weeks Mountain House. Only the cellar holes exist now, there are two of them, and we stopped for a photo op.

                                             Chunk Sitting between the two cellar holes

We stayed long enough to read the sign, look at the holes and then we were on our way again. We hadn't gone too much further when to my surprise a rabbit (snowshoe hare) took off in front of us. I quickly hupped (sit) Chunk and he complied but I'm sure he thought I was crazy. He wanted that rascally rabbit really bad. I gave it time to get away then heeled Chunk until we were well clear of the area. 

Further up the trail are a series of switch-backs which help with the elevation. We followed them until we came upon what looked to be picnic area, with a fire pit which Gerron would LOVE, and a couple of "stand around" tables with views.

We continued on the switch-backs until we came to the "Ridge Trail", with white markers, which lead to the summit. The rain was starting to pick up a little but not so much as to hinder our climb. I had to watch my footing on the rocks but Chunk didn't have any problem. 

                                 The Earth Scope Plate Boundary Observation/GPS Station  

When we reached the summit we didn't stay long as the rain and wind had picked up and it was spitting snow. We moved up the trail to get a look at the communications tower since we were there.

                                               Very ugly but great reception

                                I did manage to get a shot of Chunk at the end of the trail.

Here are some views from the Summit. You can see the Gunstock Mountain Welcome Center down below and part of the mountain itself with some snow left on top.

                                                     And of course, yours truly

But like I said we didn't linger long up there. I don't tend to hang around the summits much anyway, maybe long enough to have some water and then be on our way. I tend to subscribe to G.K. Chesterton's Father Brown character, where he says, "One sees great things from the valley, only small things from the peak". So after a few quick pics we were on our way down. Chunk & I deliberated on which trail to take back and decided that all things considered we should return the way we came. Back to the Blue Trail it was then but the surprises weren't over.

While we were headed down, we came to an area where Chunk started acting VERY "birdy". A rather large turkey started running along the forest floor and Chunk wanted to go after it soooooo bad. But I hupped him until the turkey was out of sight then walked him at heel to me until I was confident that it would no longer be a concern.

I will admit, that all in all I was really pleased with Chunk's manners on both the rabbit and the turkey, not to mention throughout the entire hike. Eventually we made it back to the car without further excitement and headed for home. It was a wonderful hike and a great day.

Here is a link to Mount Rowe Trail Info:
Mount Rowe Trail Info

Enjoy,

Ken