Exploring the Boundary on Smarts

[Jason Berard]

Hillwalker,Buddy, Paradox,Zippy Justin and I went out on the Smarts AT Boundary to do some maintenance on Sunday. Where the Appalachian Trail isn't within the boundaries of a National Park or National Forest, it runs within a corridor that is protected against intrusions such as logging, dumping, land development, and ATV use among other things. The original survey in this case was done in 1995 and as far as I know, hasn't been touched since.
So,off we went up the Daniel Doan Trail to intersect the Bounday.

Here is a typical AT monument. We had to dig around a bit to uncover this one.

The forest up there was beautiful with many Birch glades with a mixed understory of ferns and hobblebush.

I found this moose antler lying on the ground near this sign. Signs like this are placed along the Boundary every 300 feet or so.

This picture doesn't show it well, but this must be an old log landing. There were at least 10 logs stacked here, all about 10 feet long. I wonder how long they have been stacked here to look like that!

Somewhere in the bottom of that puddle is a monument! I guess I'll have to bring a bail and a sponge next time!

After we were done for the day, we hiked up the Lambert Ridge Trail to the tower. I saw this caterpillar along the way. Any ideas what kind of moth/butterfly it'll turn into? I think it is some kind of tussock caterpillar.

Looking north toward (L to R) Cube, the Benton Range, Clough, Moosilauke, and Liberty and Flume on the far right.

I could see my house to the west.

On the way down, we headed back down the Daniel Doan Trial. The upper 1/4 of the trail is literally a brook!

Here's Zippy ( she's a silly dog) and Paradox headed back to the trailhead for our post hike libations!

It was a fun trip, and we got to ramble through a beautiful forest that likely sees little human traffic. Thanks to Tom, Buddy, Paradox, Zippy and Justin for joining me! We'll hope to get out there a couple more times this fall.

 

[Paradox]

At some point during the day as we were muckin' about, sorting out our bearings or looking for a monument, Jason looked at me and said "This is so much fun!" I wholeheartedly agreed.

Great TR and photos!

GPS Track

 

[marty]

Very nice. A bunch of grown-up kids playing in the mud.

Nice report, Jason and nice antler find, too!

Regards,
Marty

 

[Paradox]

Very nice. A bunch of grown-up kids playing in the mud.

Nice report, Jason and nice antler find, too!

Regards,
Marty

Well... older maybe, but not too sure about grown-up.

 

[whichway]

We'll hope to get out there a couple more times this fall.

If you'd like help next time and have a date set, let me know...?

 

[Jason Berard]

Barkingcat: thanks for the caterpillar ID!

Marty: yup...grown folks playin' in mud!
That was my first Moose Antler find! I've seen bones a few times, but no antlers.

Whichway: We'd love to have you and Delilah come out for a trip up there!
I don't have an exact date in mind yet, just later this Month, so feel free to suggest some dates.