Bald Mountain and Artists Bluff - 4/17/09 (hiking with both my daughters)

[TrishandAlex]

Cut and pasted from Sage's new (very pink) hiking blog:

http://sagehikes.blogspot.com

Accompanying pictures and videos can be found there.
*************

Bald Mountain and Artists Bluff, 1.5 miles total.

The day was warm, albeit a little windy -- we decided to postpone some of our homeschooling work and get outside! Bald Mountain, across the street from Cannon Mountain, is one of Sage's favorite places to visit. She hadn't been up there since last fall, since cold weather hiking is definitely not her thing. I took both girls and drove north. We parked at the hiker's parking lot, jumped out of the car, and ran toward the trailhead.

We stopped for a trailsign snapshot...

then headed up. The ground was free of snow, and Sage took the lead with relish.

A few months can make a lot of difference. Last fall, Sage enjoyed this hike but always took it very slowly going up the steep bit of hill before the sign leading toward Artists Bluff. This time around, she ran the whole way without slowing once. Guess her legs have grown a bit.

The girls at the trail intersection (sorry for the imperfect focus!).

We moved on and quickly reached one of the girls' favorite things -- rock scrambles!! Both kids climbed the first part quickly and then literally ran up the ledges.

I climbed up after them and filmed the rest of the ascent.

***Warning -- turn down your volume a bit, my annoying voice and the wind distortion gets a little loud.**

Some views from the top of Bald Mountain -- really, really nice, especially considering it's less than half a mile from the trailhead.

Franconia and Echo Lake...

Cannon...

A couple of goofy children...

Another video -- though it's probably only interesting if you're family or a close friend. Again, consider turning the volume down a bit...

We headed down the ledges, and I assumed we would be returning to the car. Not so -- Sage suggested we follow the path toward Artists Bluff. I warned her it was a lot longer getting back to the car that way, but she said she didn't mind. We paused for another picture, then on we went.

Within 100 yards of the intersection, we encountered a bit of snow and ice. It was nothing we couldn't walk around with care. Both girls decided to speed up the thawing process a bit.

We went ahead to the ledges, Sage taking the lead again and telling us exactly how we should hike, what rocks to step on, how we should use our poles, etc. Alex was a good sport and played along.

Views from the lookout ledge..

We soon reached the top of the climbers' rocks, and started down the stone steps.

Steps led down to the Artists Bluff trailhead. We paused for a picture..

...then the girls chased each other along the road and back to the car.

This was a great hike. Took us about 2 hours to do the 1.2 miles, but at least half an hour was spent having fun on the top of Bald Mountain. I was thrilled to get out with both my girls, and they were thrilled to be running around in the woods/climbing rocks with each other. Can't think of a better way to spend an afternoon.

 

[1HappyHiker]

OMG!! That is just too cute! What a delightful and dynamic duo you have!

 

[rocket21]

Great trip report! A few decades down the road, I think your kids are going to be very thankful that you took the time to document all of their hikes (nevermind that you took the time to introduce them to the mountains). Very neat!

 

[Fisher Cat]

Great trip report! A few decades down the road, I think your kids are going to be very thankful that you took the time to document all of their hikes (nevermind that you took the time to introduce them to the mountains). Very neat!

Total agreement. Our parents got me and my brother out early and often and we are none the worse for wear, matter of fact, IMO it made us better individuals and we're very grateful as it has become a part of their legacy and a part of our own history.

I only wish we had more photos but when my dad had a job assignment that moved them to CO a friend who was helping them move accidentally took that box of photo albums (with others) to the dump. YIKES!

Keep up the good work.

 

[TrishandAlex]

Thanks, guys. It's really, really nice to have a place where I can share our adventures with others who love the outdoors. So thanks again for your kind words and support.

 

[woodsxc]

Nice TR, family trips are almost always the best.

Some of the earliest pictures of me were taken on hiking trips, my dad carrying me in a kiddie backpack. Our family has been hiking for as long as I can remember and I'm definitely a better person for it. Keep the girls on the trails, they love it now and they'll certainly love it for the rest of their lives, I know I will.

 

[Jazzbo]

Where's Flat Stanley?

Where's Flat Stanley? Want to see more of Flat Stanley. He's cool!

 

[TrishandAlex]

woodsxc, thanks -- I love taking the girls out, especially Bald Mountain. I do hope I'm creating a love for the outdoors and some nice memories as well.


Jazzbo, Flat Stanley hiked Moosilauke with other folks last weekend.
http://rocksontop.com/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=5706&highlight=

 

[TrishandAlex]

Seriously, congratulations on nurturing the hiking interest/spirit with your daughters. (depending on what adults they become and their interests) You'll be able to enjoy hikes together for some time. You are quite fortunate.

Thanks, BarkingCat. I dont know if this has anything to do with it, but we are a no-TV and no video games family. We've sought out families who have the same outdoor values as we do, and the kids are outside at least 4 hours every day (unless it is too cold or wet). So the kids are used to being outside, that's what's normal for them. Neither of them are used to passive entertainment, and we plan on keeping it that way for as long as humanly possible. This was a conscious decision made by both my husband and myself when the kids were born.

Anyway, whether the above lends itself to the kids really enjoying the outside and hiking (on a small scale, for Sage), or whether it's just a cooincidence, I don't know. I agree that we are fortunate to be able to craft, to a certain degree, the kind of life we want for ourselves and for our children.

 

[peakbagger]

Hey Trish, one of the things I dont see in your photos are more of you with the kids, I realize its a challenge with two little ones but someday, they will appreciate some pictures of you sitting on top of the mountain with them

 

[TrishandAlex]

Peakbagger, I don't like having my picture taken much, now that I'm not as cute as I used to be. But I guess you're right, maybe the kids would like to have a photo or two like that when they're older. I'll put more effort into it.

 

[hikes-with-him]

Wait...did my parents know your parents and your husbands' parents? We grew up in the same sort of environment -- no television.

While as kids we may have been clueless then (heck, we're still clueless) about some pop culture (via the tube), we did get outside a lot for play...and hiking.

In hindsight, we were the better for it.

Geesh...wish I'd had this. I was very loved and cherished...but, also given my way. I loved the TV, video games, and FOOD!!! I spent way too much time in the house. Now...hardly watch TV and can't WAIT to get OUT of the house and climb something!

 

[hikes-with-him]

Where is this peak?

1.2 miles...2 hrs...including 30 min on the top? with those kinds of scrambles? Sounds AWESOME and something the kidos would love. Only, it may be an awefully long drive for me for only 2 hrs...it's 3 hrs to most of the climbing in NH for me.

 

[TrishandAlex]

Imzadi, Bald Mountain and Artists Bluff are just off I93, right after the exit for the Cannon Mountain Tramway. It's at the very north end of Franconia Notch. You'd take the exit for Echo Lake (exit 36C, I think), drive past the entrance to Echo Lake on your left, and continue up toward a parking lot. There is a sign that says "hiker parking" just in front of one of the ski parking lots, on your right, just off the road. Park there, cross through the parking lot on the same side of the road, and you'll find the Bald Mountain trailhead.

The top of Bald Mountain is less than half a mile from the trailhead. It is a GREAT hike for kids, very little effort for wonderful views.

 

[timmus]

...we decided to postpone some of our homeschooling work and get outside!

Now ya talking !

I wish I could take my daughters out of school (and me out of work) so we can enjoy a nice day outside, you're pretty lucky.

 

[TrishandAlex]

Now ya talking !

I wish I could take my daughters out of school (and me out of work) so we can enjoy a nice day outside, you're pretty lucky.

Thank you, timmus.

One of the benefits of homeschooling is scheduling the bookwork around the weather. And/or taking the bookwork outside....I remember a day last year when Alex did her spelling work on top of Welch Mountain.

 

[Jimmy Legs and Little D]

Bald Mountain & Artists Bluff

Once again, another terrific report and pictures. I agree with Peakbagger that you need to have a few pictures of yourself included in the reports. It's great that Sage has joined your hiking team. They both seem to be enjoying themselves in the videos and get along well. It's admirable that you and your husband limit or don't allow certain activities with the girls. Too many children spend way too much time in front of a TV, playing video games, etc.
Being in the forest or on a mountaintop is the best.
Little D