Friday 7-15-05 5:05 am. The wife and I were plying the waters of Lake Winnisquam in our canoes on cool, calm waters. We had the lake to ourselves. We got out to paddle for an hour before my wife headed off to work and I went hiking. Watched the sun rise over the Belknaps while an osprey cruised overhead with a fish in its talons. A great way to start the day!
I was heading up to the Hancocks. The parking lot at the hairpin turn was empty except for an AMC van. Headed down the trail and ran into a cobweb, and then another, and then another. I ran into more cobwebs on this hike than I have any other hike I've ever been on. I don't know why they were so numerous today. I guess that's what happens when you get on the trail before anyone else.
Headed up North Hancock and off in the distance I could hear the clanging of iron bars and boisterous conversation. Soon enough I was upon the group making all the noise. It was an AMC trail crew (two guys and two gals) working on the trail going up North Hancock.
As I was approaching them I heard a series of commands and then a huge boulder comes whirring through the air. They had a zip line set up in the woods about 50-75 feet off trail and they were delivering this boulder for a stone step. It was an interesting sight to see.
I chatted with them a bit and then headed up as they continued working. They were the only people I saw until I got over to the South Hancock summit where I ran into a group of four guys from Ontario. On my way down, there were a handful of others heading up South peak. It seemed like a pretty quiet day in the mountains.
I also spotted some carnivorous plants today. Sundews. These plants are insect eaters and exude a sticky juice that trap unsuspecting insects.
Stopped at The Mountain Wanderer and chatted with Steve Smith and bought a few new books on the Whites. I also bought a copy of "48" to support a good cause.
It's a great life!
I was heading up to the Hancocks. The parking lot at the hairpin turn was empty except for an AMC van. Headed down the trail and ran into a cobweb, and then another, and then another. I ran into more cobwebs on this hike than I have any other hike I've ever been on. I don't know why they were so numerous today. I guess that's what happens when you get on the trail before anyone else.
Headed up North Hancock and off in the distance I could hear the clanging of iron bars and boisterous conversation. Soon enough I was upon the group making all the noise. It was an AMC trail crew (two guys and two gals) working on the trail going up North Hancock.
As I was approaching them I heard a series of commands and then a huge boulder comes whirring through the air. They had a zip line set up in the woods about 50-75 feet off trail and they were delivering this boulder for a stone step. It was an interesting sight to see.
I chatted with them a bit and then headed up as they continued working. They were the only people I saw until I got over to the South Hancock summit where I ran into a group of four guys from Ontario. On my way down, there were a handful of others heading up South peak. It seemed like a pretty quiet day in the mountains.
I also spotted some carnivorous plants today. Sundews. These plants are insect eaters and exude a sticky juice that trap unsuspecting insects.
Stopped at The Mountain Wanderer and chatted with Steve Smith and bought a few new books on the Whites. I also bought a copy of "48" to support a good cause.
It's a great life!
