Franconia Ridge, August 30th

[forestgnome]

The forecast was for higher summits to be in the clouds under cloudy skies so I planned to stay lower and inside, but it looked like it would be nice for alpine zone hiking...so...

saw this just in time to avoid wearing it in the face...

Cloudland Falls had plenty of water from the storm...

Weather was great...view to Mt. Lincoln from Little Haystack...

No crowds, just a few scattered folks to chat with and plenty of solitude on this beautiful ridge...

a few rattllesnake root blossoms still around...

Met a nice Forest Service volunteer steward.

The clouds looked threatening a few times but only added to the beauty of the sky all day...

little alpine flora gang...

meadowsweet...

Lincon Slide...

looking west from the western slopes of Mt. Lafayette...

Near the bottom there's lots of hobblebush so I explored around and found some old roads and lots of fresh moose sign. I saw no moose but this nice little flower caught my eye...

continued...

 

[forestgnome]

I got lucky on the way home and saw a mama moose and calf cross the Kancamagus at sunset. I was already muddy and bloody so following through swamp was enjoyable.

It was the same two I've seen many times since the calf was a new-born. I named him Kezossa, which means "too fast" in Abenaki.

He's really gotten beefy, and his coat has darkened to an adult color.

After some thick swamp we emerged in an old feild. The light was fading as Sun dipped lower beneath the horizon, but it was a very special experience in the forest...

happy trails

 

[BobC]

Incredible pics...thanks so much for sharing!

 

[Peakbagr]

Every time I see new photos from you it makes me wonder what I can get for my camera gear on Ebay.

 

[gram]

I just love the story told in the last photo.

 

[1HappyHiker]

Simply stunning, Patrick!

It’s difficult to choose a favorite photo, but if forced to select only one, I guess it would be the 4th photo. (The one preceded by the words: “No crowds, just a few scattered folks to chat with and plenty of solitude on this beautiful ridge . . .”)

 

[TrishandAlex]

Gorgeous photos as always. My favorite is the one of the spider and its web. I HAVE worn quite a few of those on the face...never a great feeling!

 

[NeoAkela]

Stunning as always, Patrick! Glad you got to see a moose! I love the Cloudland Falls photo!

 

[The Unstrung Harp]

Each more beautiful than the last. Thanks for posting. I haven't been down there in weeks and I am going crazy. Thanks for a) making me go even more crazy and b) allowing me some snippets of vicarious enjoyment.

 

[OldMan]

Wow! Incredible pics. Thanls for sharing them.

 

[Dr. Dasypodidae]

Wonderful photos from The Ridge! I think that you were rewarded for that effort with the moose encounter and photo op, which you maximized with excellence, as usual.