The Sisiters of Mt. Chocorua and the Steam Mill Brook drainage valley

[forestgnome]

Hiked Champney Falls Trail, Middle Sister Cut-Off, Middle Sister Trail to the saddle of Mt. Blue, then bushwacked down the Steam Mill Brook drainage valley area.

Here's a view north from the old slide along the MS Cut-Off...

The Sisters are awesome for rhodora. many pollenators are out in force. I even had a very close encounter with a hummingbird at 3,200' while quietly watching this butterfly!

blueberry and billberry(?) blossoms abound as well...

From the junction of Carter Ledge Trail, the Middle Sister Trail see very little use...

a nice view ledge along the trail...

a huge hawk cruising around the summits...( not enough time to draw the big lens )

happy trails

 

[Kevin Judy and Emma]

Chocorua...

always a favorite, and delivered by one of my favorite photographers!

KDT

 

[w7xman]

Awesome Rhodora shots...really wanted to get up there this weekend...but there are too few days in said weekend. Thanks for taking me there! Great shots!

 

[1HappyHiker]

Patrick, it almost goes without saying, but those are simply terrific photos!

By any chance, when you bushwhacked down the Steam Mill Brook Valley, did you take a side trip over to that tiny body of water named Moose Pond that's located about 0.6 mile NNE of Mt. Blue? It's a very cozy and picturesque spot. And, as the name implies it seems to be frequented by moose! I didn't spot any actual moose when I was there, but there's a lot of moose poop at that location and the surrounding area!

 

[forestgnome]

Thanks all...John, no, I intended to visit the Moose Pond and I remember your last photos from last year which were very nice. But I tend to wander around, easily distracted by sights and sounds that catch my interest, and next thing I knew I realized I was well below the pond and decided to just keep going. It's a very pretty area.

happy trails