Nibbling Around the Edges of the Franconia & Presidential Ranges: 30-May-2009

[1HappyHiker]

It can be labeled as “wimpy” or whatever, but Zman and I opted to try to stay dry by foregoing a long hike and instead doing a couple of short hikes in between the sporadic rain showers. This worked pretty well, except for one shower that lasted for maybe 15 minutes or so, which caused us to put on our rain gear and our pack covers. And, perhaps in the ultimate demonstration of “wimpy-tude”, I also pulled out my goofy umbrella. I know that Zman will be disappointed if I fail to post his photo taken of me with my umbrella.
So here it is for all to “admire”.

Anyway, our short hikes consisted of some slight nibbling around the edges of the Franconia Range and the Presidential Range. For our Franconia Range “nibble” we hiked a very steep and unmaintained trail to a ledge on the north end of the Eagle Cliff Ridge. Here we got an interesting view looking down the Franconia Notch. NeoAkela (member of VFTT forum) has traversed the entire Eagle Cliff Ridge. He is a superb photographer and has posted some terrific photos from his trek. Below is my rather humble offering of a photo that I took on my short trek to one small ledge on the Eagle Cliff ridge.

Had it not been for the cloudy conditions, there would also have been an interesting angle looking up toward Lafayette.

Our other “nibble” was in the Northern Presidential Range. We hiked to a viewpoint named Bog Ledge which is located on the Cliffway Trail. This spot offers a limited view into King Ravine. Although it’s not a blockbuster view, it’s interesting nonetheless, and well worth the short hike up to it.

Also, en route to Bog Ledge, we passed by the scenic little waterfall named Cold Brook Fall. It was certainly worthy of a photo.

And so, just like the ending of the old Looney Tunes cartoons: "th-th-th-that's all folks!"

1HappyHiker

 

[adktyler]

Great report!! That umbrella certainly made me smile, and the waterfall was lovely!! Thanks for sharing another fun report

 

[Tom & Atticus]

Nothing wimpy about an umbrella on the trail. If I recall correctly Stinky Feet used on while she and Frodo were setting the winter record a few years ago. Sounds to me like you're in good company.

 

[grouseking]

That presidential view is stunning. Keep at it with these interesting trail visits. I love them all!

grouseking

 

[NeoAkela]

....Below is my rather humble offering of a photo that I took on my short trek to one small ledge on the Eagle Cliff ridge.

John, you are far too humble - that is a great shot! Lafayette in the clouds with a glistening green Eagle Cliff in the foreground is also beautiful! My shots up there last year were all washed out, either due to the sun in front of the camera or the guy behind it! Took me a bit of culling to find a few to put in the post.

I love that image of King Ravine... I never could find a good location to see the grandness of that place in one take - now I know where to go!

I took a few quick runs around Franconia during the wet weather myself, but only got a few limited views from the side of Scarface and the talus slopes above Boise Rock.

Nice umbrella, too! Does it double as a walking stick?

 

[NewHampshire]

Mmmmmmm Kiiiing Ravine! Beautiful shot of it! Looking forward to heading in there in the next couple weeks!

Brian

 

[BIGEarl]

Very nice pictures. It looks like things were much better on "your side" of Franconia Ridge than where I was.

Great shot of King Ravine!

 

[1HappyHiker]

Great report!! That umbrella certainly made me smile . . . Thanks for sharing another fun report

Thanks Tyler! It would have been fun to have you there to video the umbrella-event and provide some of your clever narrative to go along with it!

Nothing wimpy about an umbrella on the trail. If I recall correctly Stinky Feet used on while she and Frodo were setting the winter record a few years ago. Sounds to me like you're in good company.

Thanks Tom . . . it does indeed sound like I’m in good company!

Keep at it with these interesting trail visits. I love them all!

Thanks for the positive feedback . . . and best wishes to you for success in completing your remaining VT 4Ks before moving to D.C.

John, you are far too humble - that is a great shot! Lafayette in the clouds with a glistening green Eagle Cliff in the foreground is also beautiful!

Nice umbrella, too! Does it double as a walking stick?

Chris, thanks for your kind words . . . greatly appreciated!

And, does my umbrella double as a walking stick? No, but I wonder if it could double as a really nifty lightening rod . . . 1CrispyHiker!

Mmmmmmm Kiiiing Ravine! Beautiful shot of it! Looking forward to heading in there in the next couple weeks!

Thanks Brian . . . I’ll look forward to reading your Trip Report . . . yum!!

Very nice pictures. It looks like things were much better on "your side" of Franconia Ridge than where I was.

Earl, thanks for your comments! And Wow! Just read your Trip Report. Yes, I guess things were considerably better where I was!

 

[NeoAkela]

My slightly-out-of-date copy of the WMG mentions Bog Ledge as completely overgrown with only a hint of a view. Glad to see this has changed - time to get the newest version, I guess!

 

[hikes-with-him]

GEORGEOUS!!

Just goes to show...you don't have to do really BIG things to get really BIG views and beauty.

 

[1HappyHiker]

My slightly-out-of-date copy of the WMG mentions Bog Ledge as completely overgrown with only a hint of a view. Glad to see this has changed - time to get the newest version, I guess!

Chris, it’s only been within the past 2-3 years that the view from Bog Ledge has been opened up a bit.
On page 131 of the 28th edition of the AMC White Mountain Guide the sentence pertaining to Bog Ledge now reads: “ . . . the Cliffway crosses Bog Ledge, where there is a cleared view of King Ravine and Mts. Adams and Madison . . .”

Just goes to show...you don't have to do really BIG things to get really BIG views and beauty.

Yup, that is so true. It’s often said that “less is more”.

It’s just my opinion, but I think hiking is sort of like eating in that both require a balanced diet. For hiking, I think you need a balanced “diet” of short hikes, plus longer hikes to high places, plus some on-trail hikes, plus off-trail hikes (a.k.a. bushwhack). It seems to me that doing just one type of hike over & over would sort of be like eating a steady diet of just one food group (like all protein, etc).
OK . . . enough . . . I think I’m getting sort of silly.