McRat
New member
There are times when I realize what a fool I am. If you are ever headed to the mountains of Vermont, bring a camera, particularly when enjoying that wonderful mini-season between peak foliage and early ice.
I did manage to take a few mental pictures, but I’m not working with the best camera here so please bear with me.
Pic #1 – The classic shot of New Hamshire/Brian’s car - hatch opened and gear being assembled. You will notice in this picture that Brian did not bring along his camera either. If you look across the street there is a signpost without a sign in the parking area across the street. We followed the faint path a ways in.
#2 – This is a pic of Brian and I staring at the map. There is a confused expression as it has become clear after a short distance that this is not the Long trail. The ground is slightly muddy, but covered in crisp brown leaves. There is a steep walk up to a ridgeline in the background.
#3 – Picture of Brian holding up my recently dropped map.
#4 – Looks very similar to #3, except the background has changed.
#5 – Looks like the last, though Brian is looking a little more exasperated. At this point it was decided that perhaps he should carry the map.
#6 – Russ with compass in hand, smiling. The Long trail has been found again. Though the mini Bushwhack was fun, it was nice walking on a trail of rocks instead of leaf covered mud.
#7 – The next pic would be of looking at the rocky summit through the trees, the blue skies as a backdrop to the rocky face of the summit which looks closer than it is. The lighting is excellent and the yellow and browned leaves left on the birch trees cling against the light breezes.
#8 – Privy pic with ‘Do Not Pee in Outhouse’ sign. You can’t pass up the classics. If you look further up the trail, you see traces of ice reflecting off of the rocks.
#9 Here we reach the col between the Chin and Adams apple. The trees are much shorter here and the alpine gardens are near. Other groups are scrambling up to the summit in the background while the foreground features the dried russet-colored grasses, kissed with rime ice.
#10 Summit shot – Brian enjoying a giant insulated mug of ravioli, with a dozen people crowding around the brass benchmark. Cloudless blue skies and the short shadows of noon.
#11 Another goofy Russ shot – Stamping on the benchmark while celebrating the one moment where I could conclusively say I was higher than anyone in Vermont. Which says a lot, actually.
#12 Photos of the White Mountains – Brian and I debate which pics are which. I’m pretty sure I can make out the Presidential Range by the three sharp summits of the Northern Presis.
#13 Photos of the Adirondaks – Brian and I have nothing to debate, having discovered that we are too far out of our element or expertise to even try guessing which is which.
#14 One of several points where we stopped to let the crowds by, the whole ridge offered 180-360 degree views, with rock and post-season alpine garden to block the views. The bright blue skies risk overpowering the image. Perhaps Brian can photoshop some clouds in here later.
#15 In the midst of one of the prettiest ridge walks I have ever been on, we come across the Subway trail junction and a small sign pointing back the way we came. “View 0.5 mi -->”
#16 Close to the nose and parking lot, a group of three overweight people in sweatpants walking gingerly along the slightly icy bog bridges. “I think we’re almost there!” shouts one.
#17 Shot of Brian and I, we decided to step back to suppress laughter. When they completed the last thirty feet they began cheering each other. Brian and I are red faced and grinning. It was another minute before we could emerge from the trees without offending their expedition party.
#18 Brian and I on the auto road. A fairly smooth dirt road lined with evergreens, rock, the autumn colors set off the large icicles hanging off the ledges.
#19 Snacking on the porch of the Octagon House. The pleasant views to the east, no crowds in the shot, every color from the green of the golf course to late clinging foliage, and the bare trees halfway up the surrounding mountains. The empty lines of the flagpole banged gently in the breeze like the halyards on a sailboat.
#20 The Haselton trail - The thrills of walking down ski slopes. Open views, easy conversation, the occasional slip up.
#21 The Haselton trail – Back in the trees, plenty of muddy or icy rock.
#22 The Haselton trail – Here is where it crosses another ski trail. We decide the Ski trail is much prettier and head back that way
#23 The classic look back – the sun is mostly behind the ridge, but peeks through along the jagged edges of the Mansfield profile, lighting up the contours well.
#24 The Long Trail trailhead sign… about 50 feet to the left of where we went in.
Here is where my mental 110 ran out of film. All things considered, a couple of Fools got out on a pleasant stomp, using a route that will probably not be duplicated any time soon. I enjoyed the trip so much, I have begun second-guessing my decision to finish on Saddleback and the Horn, but the final two await.
In the end, I’m kind of glad my daughter Squeaky backed out. It gives me a great excuse to hike this pleasant trip all over again.
I did manage to take a few mental pictures, but I’m not working with the best camera here so please bear with me.
Pic #1 – The classic shot of New Hamshire/Brian’s car - hatch opened and gear being assembled. You will notice in this picture that Brian did not bring along his camera either. If you look across the street there is a signpost without a sign in the parking area across the street. We followed the faint path a ways in.
#2 – This is a pic of Brian and I staring at the map. There is a confused expression as it has become clear after a short distance that this is not the Long trail. The ground is slightly muddy, but covered in crisp brown leaves. There is a steep walk up to a ridgeline in the background.
#3 – Picture of Brian holding up my recently dropped map.
#4 – Looks very similar to #3, except the background has changed.
#5 – Looks like the last, though Brian is looking a little more exasperated. At this point it was decided that perhaps he should carry the map.
#6 – Russ with compass in hand, smiling. The Long trail has been found again. Though the mini Bushwhack was fun, it was nice walking on a trail of rocks instead of leaf covered mud.
#7 – The next pic would be of looking at the rocky summit through the trees, the blue skies as a backdrop to the rocky face of the summit which looks closer than it is. The lighting is excellent and the yellow and browned leaves left on the birch trees cling against the light breezes.
#8 – Privy pic with ‘Do Not Pee in Outhouse’ sign. You can’t pass up the classics. If you look further up the trail, you see traces of ice reflecting off of the rocks.
#9 Here we reach the col between the Chin and Adams apple. The trees are much shorter here and the alpine gardens are near. Other groups are scrambling up to the summit in the background while the foreground features the dried russet-colored grasses, kissed with rime ice.
#10 Summit shot – Brian enjoying a giant insulated mug of ravioli, with a dozen people crowding around the brass benchmark. Cloudless blue skies and the short shadows of noon.
#11 Another goofy Russ shot – Stamping on the benchmark while celebrating the one moment where I could conclusively say I was higher than anyone in Vermont. Which says a lot, actually.
#12 Photos of the White Mountains – Brian and I debate which pics are which. I’m pretty sure I can make out the Presidential Range by the three sharp summits of the Northern Presis.
#13 Photos of the Adirondaks – Brian and I have nothing to debate, having discovered that we are too far out of our element or expertise to even try guessing which is which.
#14 One of several points where we stopped to let the crowds by, the whole ridge offered 180-360 degree views, with rock and post-season alpine garden to block the views. The bright blue skies risk overpowering the image. Perhaps Brian can photoshop some clouds in here later.
#15 In the midst of one of the prettiest ridge walks I have ever been on, we come across the Subway trail junction and a small sign pointing back the way we came. “View 0.5 mi -->”
#16 Close to the nose and parking lot, a group of three overweight people in sweatpants walking gingerly along the slightly icy bog bridges. “I think we’re almost there!” shouts one.
#17 Shot of Brian and I, we decided to step back to suppress laughter. When they completed the last thirty feet they began cheering each other. Brian and I are red faced and grinning. It was another minute before we could emerge from the trees without offending their expedition party.
#18 Brian and I on the auto road. A fairly smooth dirt road lined with evergreens, rock, the autumn colors set off the large icicles hanging off the ledges.
#19 Snacking on the porch of the Octagon House. The pleasant views to the east, no crowds in the shot, every color from the green of the golf course to late clinging foliage, and the bare trees halfway up the surrounding mountains. The empty lines of the flagpole banged gently in the breeze like the halyards on a sailboat.
#20 The Haselton trail - The thrills of walking down ski slopes. Open views, easy conversation, the occasional slip up.
#21 The Haselton trail – Back in the trees, plenty of muddy or icy rock.
#22 The Haselton trail – Here is where it crosses another ski trail. We decide the Ski trail is much prettier and head back that way
#23 The classic look back – the sun is mostly behind the ridge, but peeks through along the jagged edges of the Mansfield profile, lighting up the contours well.
#24 The Long Trail trailhead sign… about 50 feet to the left of where we went in.
Here is where my mental 110 ran out of film. All things considered, a couple of Fools got out on a pleasant stomp, using a route that will probably not be duplicated any time soon. I enjoyed the trip so much, I have begun second-guessing my decision to finish on Saddleback and the Horn, but the final two await.
In the end, I’m kind of glad my daughter Squeaky backed out. It gives me a great excuse to hike this pleasant trip all over again.
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