cooperhill
New member
Ok, I lied. I said my trip to Champney Falls in late November would be my last trailwork trip of the year. Some peakbag, I do trailwork. We all have our addictions!
Winter solstice at 12:30am. Felt more like a Spring morning but without bird and frog song. Initial plans to hike a big peak in the White Mountains changed so moved on to an old standby / favorite. trailwork.
First on tap, an early morning walk with my favorite dog at Northwood Meadows State Park (Northwood NH). Intense alpenglow viewed on the way. Also nice sunrise colors at my home:
Walking around Northwood Meadow lake, clouds are dark blue with undersides bright with sunrise. Fog rolling over a partially frozen lake. All of these made for a nice start ...with the exception of speeding logging trucks. (Hikers, walkers beware - Northwood Meadows state park is a multi-use park/trail which means little concern is made for two-legged and four legged hikers.)
Moved on to some very late season trailwork on my "home" trail - Piper Trail on Mt. Chocorua. Woods are empty now. Even beeches have shed their leaves. A view into the forest and up Hammond ridge... still snowy and icy despite the warm weather.
Trailwork…more than a few swings of my axe and I realize I'm out of shape. My axe has held up better then me. Mann Edge Co. Axe - probably more than 60 years old. A $15 find from a local antique store. Glad to have it working again.
Chop, chop, thonk. The axe makes a particular sound went purchase is gained. The axe works by cutting, chipping, and chiseling. You can't chop a tree by hitting the same spot over and over again.
Took out about 10 blowdowns. Here's a quick progression of my blowdown removal (one end at least):
This one was a beech which I've heard aren't fairing so well in our warming climate.
Unsettlingly warm for this early in the year. A hint of things to come? I hope not. I like winter. Ah well, for now I'll just appreciate the beauty of walking and working in early winter woods.
Winter solstice at 12:30am. Felt more like a Spring morning but without bird and frog song. Initial plans to hike a big peak in the White Mountains changed so moved on to an old standby / favorite. trailwork.
First on tap, an early morning walk with my favorite dog at Northwood Meadows State Park (Northwood NH). Intense alpenglow viewed on the way. Also nice sunrise colors at my home:
Walking around Northwood Meadow lake, clouds are dark blue with undersides bright with sunrise. Fog rolling over a partially frozen lake. All of these made for a nice start ...with the exception of speeding logging trucks. (Hikers, walkers beware - Northwood Meadows state park is a multi-use park/trail which means little concern is made for two-legged and four legged hikers.)
Moved on to some very late season trailwork on my "home" trail - Piper Trail on Mt. Chocorua. Woods are empty now. Even beeches have shed their leaves. A view into the forest and up Hammond ridge... still snowy and icy despite the warm weather.
Trailwork…more than a few swings of my axe and I realize I'm out of shape. My axe has held up better then me. Mann Edge Co. Axe - probably more than 60 years old. A $15 find from a local antique store. Glad to have it working again.
Chop, chop, thonk. The axe makes a particular sound went purchase is gained. The axe works by cutting, chipping, and chiseling. You can't chop a tree by hitting the same spot over and over again.
Took out about 10 blowdowns. Here's a quick progression of my blowdown removal (one end at least):
This one was a beech which I've heard aren't fairing so well in our warming climate.
Unsettlingly warm for this early in the year. A hint of things to come? I hope not. I like winter. Ah well, for now I'll just appreciate the beauty of walking and working in early winter woods.
