Hi-Cannon Trail 5/22/10

[Kevin Judy and Emma]

View of Franconia Ridge

Cannon 4100'

Lonesome Lake/Hi-Cannon/Kinsman Ridge Trail

5.6 Miles 2350' Elevation gain

Kevin, Judy and Emma

If you follow our adventures you know that we haven't been up a 4k since February because part of our "pack" needed some time to heal. Emma has been doing great on shorter hikes with less elevation and did very well last week on Chocorua which had considerably more distance and elevation gain than our trip to Cannon this week. She seems to be quite tired and a little sore today as I write this. After the hike Saturday she had a busy day Sunday with some visiting dogs and today she's just taking it easy. Hopefully tomorrow she'll be her "old" self!

The Queen

The hike was uneventful and we only saw a couple of other hikers on the trail and had the summit tower to ourselves for a good long lunch. Along the trail I noticed that the Red Trillium was well past, but the Painted Trillium was in full bloom. The birches were just beginning to leaf out which made for a beautiful spring tint to the hardwood forest. The day was warm and very hazy which kept the sun from beating down with its full force. At the summit there was just enough breeze to cool you down and a long sleeve shirt was enough to keep body warmth constant. There were good albeit hazy views in all directions although there was some definite shower activity to the northeast in the area of Jefferson, NH.

Painted Trillium Trillium undulatum

On the way back down we began to run into more and more hikers on their way up. At the outlook over Lonesome Lake we ran into a nice family that plans to join us at Seek the Peak in July. They've been doing it for a few years, we wish them good luck! I guess the only interesting part of this trip is at the ladder. This ladder is different from most of the "ladders" I've encountered in the Whites in that it is actually a ladder as opposed to steep stairs. On the way up Emma needs a little boost, then she makes her way along the ledge just below the ladder to a spot a little further up where she needs another boost and from there she can scramble to the top herself. I follow on the ladder and give the needed boosts. On the way down she needs a little help in one spot, but then manages the rest on her own.

Red Fox Vulpes vulpes

Coming down took about the same time as going up as care was needed on the steep, rocky ledges while we descended. Back in the parking lot we had an encounter with a beautiful fox who was trying to eek out a living off of what might be available at Lafayette Place Campground. Judging from her looks she gets by pretty well. She and Emma had a good look at each other. I think each was a little jealous of the others lifestyle. Beautiful girls!

Full set of pictures here:

KDT

 

[hikes-with-him]

WOW!!!

What a beautiful FOX!!! EXCELLENT pictures...you just don't see that.. I especially loved the action shot!

Keep up the puppy love to Emma...

 

[Bill and Sheep]

How does Emma handle the ladder on Hi-Cannon? That was probably the toughest problem Sheep's ever had in the Whites. He managed to get halfway up without using the ladder and then got stuck moving from the rocks to the ladder and needed a lot of help from me to finish the climb.

 

[Kevin Judy and Emma]

Thanks!

@ Bill-read 3rd paragraph. I was thinking that a dog bigger than Emma would definitely be a problem at that ladder. Luckily she's small enough to boost up. She doesn't like needing help for anything and usually finds a way around, but that ladder is a definite obstacle. Something to keep in mind if you have a dog and are reading this.

KDT

 

[grouseking]

Wow, what a fox!

I saw a fox last week, but it wanted nothing to do with me and took off almost as soon as I caught a glimpse.

As usual, nicely done. I always look forward to your reports.

grouseking

 

[Bill and Sheep]

@ Bill-read 3rd paragraph. I was thinking that a dog bigger than Emma would definitely be a problem at that ladder. Luckily she's small enough to boost up. She doesn't like needing help for anything and usually finds a way around, but that ladder is a definite obstacle. Something to keep in mind if you have a dog and are reading this.

KDT

Thanks for pointing me in the right direction Kevin! I don't always fully take in the whole post when I'm reading at work. That ladder was definitely the most difficult thing I had to get Sheep over. It sounds like Emma and Sheep took similar routes but I had about 50 pounds more dog to boost. It was definitely something I don't want to repeat but thankfully neither of us were ever in real danger.

 

[PETCH]

Great pics, love the Fox. Must of used a lot of optical zoom?

Petch

 

[Kevin Judy and Emma]

Thanks again!

@ Bill- I knew you didn't have time to read, I seldom do! If you ever have any doubts about getting Sheep over a section of trail while you're in the planning stage please feel free to ask, we haven't been everywhere, but we've been to a lot of places. That ladder is something else for dogs. Not good.

@ Petch- She was probably a good 50' away. I didn't get as sharp focus as I would have liked. The lens was having trouble with the DOF when I focused on her head the tail was a little soft. I guess the pictures are fine for a computer screen, but not really printable.

KDT

 

[1HappyHiker]

I didn't get as sharp focus as I would have liked. The lens was having trouble with the DOF when I focused on her head the tail was a little soft. I guess the pictures are fine for a computer screen, but not really printable.

Thank you for another of your very enjoyable reports!

Since you pointed it out, I see what you mean about the focus. But nonetheless Kevin, it's still a pretty darn good photo of a fox!!
As I'm sure you know, it's really difficult to capture images of wildlife that are perfectly clear and crisp, especially when you're shooting "on the fly" and not really set up for it.