I climbed Mount Moosilauke a few days ago. A hiker on the summit told me the forest cover on top is increasing. Is it really so? Does that mean alpine tundra is in retreat, presumably from natural causes? I noticed healthy patches of krummholz close to the summit on the eastern side. I also saw places where young evergreens had established a foothold in what I thought very windy locations. Of course "young" that high and exposed might mean some years or more.
I also noticed a building without a roof a hundred meters or so southeast of the summit. Someone said it used to be storage for the summit house, which I hear was destroyed by fire early 1940s. Can anyone shed light on that shed?
For me this hike held a lot of meaning and memories. I once saw a photo of my mother at the summit house, which would date it ca. early 1940s. I previously climbed the mountain twice, in 1966 and 1967. One of those trips was via Jobildunk Ravine trail. I discussed this with Steve Smith at his bookshop in Lincoln. He said the trail was abandoned around 1970. Once, long after it was abandoned, Steve followed the remains of the trail up through the ravine. The link from ravine floor to the ridge above was obliterated and long gone, however.
I stayed two nights at the new Ravine Lodge, situated at the base of Moosilauke and rebuilt in the last couple of years by Dartmouth Outing Club. I never saw the old facility but this was impressive indeed. Large, new, clean, a joyful abode. Relatively inexpensive when you consider what you get for an overnight bunk, shower facilities, library, good company and lodge-cooked meals, compared with hotels or AMC huts. You do have to reserve a day or more in advance. No cell phone service, which can be a plus depending on your point of view. There is a land-line for emergencies. No wifi, and when I just had to have it, I drove a few miles to the Moose Hillock campground. And the leaves were turning color.
I also noticed a building without a roof a hundred meters or so southeast of the summit. Someone said it used to be storage for the summit house, which I hear was destroyed by fire early 1940s. Can anyone shed light on that shed?
For me this hike held a lot of meaning and memories. I once saw a photo of my mother at the summit house, which would date it ca. early 1940s. I previously climbed the mountain twice, in 1966 and 1967. One of those trips was via Jobildunk Ravine trail. I discussed this with Steve Smith at his bookshop in Lincoln. He said the trail was abandoned around 1970. Once, long after it was abandoned, Steve followed the remains of the trail up through the ravine. The link from ravine floor to the ridge above was obliterated and long gone, however.
I stayed two nights at the new Ravine Lodge, situated at the base of Moosilauke and rebuilt in the last couple of years by Dartmouth Outing Club. I never saw the old facility but this was impressive indeed. Large, new, clean, a joyful abode. Relatively inexpensive when you consider what you get for an overnight bunk, shower facilities, library, good company and lodge-cooked meals, compared with hotels or AMC huts. You do have to reserve a day or more in advance. No cell phone service, which can be a plus depending on your point of view. There is a land-line for emergencies. No wifi, and when I just had to have it, I drove a few miles to the Moose Hillock campground. And the leaves were turning color.
