"My 3 day / 2 night, 25 mile backpacking trip into the Pemigewasset Wilderness."
Overcast, but not raining (yet) was my view outside of my Beacon Hill apartment. It was the first day of the three day Labor Day weekend and I was looking forward to my trip rain or shine. A couple of days prior, I was in EMS looking at maps, and could not resist buying TOPO! Interactive Maps On CD-ROM for the New Hampshire and the White Mountains. After cross-referencing the maps against my new trail book "Hiking New Hampshire" by Larry Pletcher, I decided on a couple of different options in the Pemigewasset Wilderness. So when Saturday morning came around, I threw a bunch of 'stuff' together and headed north on I-93. The further north I drove, the more excited I got. Being my first New England Fall Foliage, I was completed awstrucked. 'Wow', was said out loud on several occasions. I pulled off the interstate into a small community and snapped a few pictures of the trees along the river and myself.
First thing I needed to do was to buy some grub, so I found me a grocery store in Lincoln. I'm sure the checkout clerk wondered what type of diet is made up of different types of Lipton Noodles, a box of Triscuts, Crystal Light, Cheese Wiz, Oatmeal, Powerbars, and other dried good, (oh yea, lots of candy). By now the weather turned into a constant state of drizzle, so my next stop was a Outdoor Supply place to buy me a pack cover, gas for my stove, waterproof matches, pocket knife, and another pair of socks. The socks turned out to be very useful. Around 2:30 PM I checked in at the Ranger station to inquire about campsite availability and anything else I should know about.
Nothing out of the ordinary was reported, so I put my belongs into my pack, and headed out. When you have a big thing strapped to your back, tourists who only step 100 feet from there car/RV stare at you. Since I was too busy giving back the look "Yep, I'm one tough mountain man", I failed to realize I was not on the right trail. More on that later. Anyway, as I walking along (whistling in the rain) I came across a white birch log and I immediately thought what a great background for my website (and it actually turn out well). A wise man once said, "When it rains, there are puddles, (some with leaves in them)." Ok, so I made that up. It was interesting how the further I went up the trail, how quickly the trees had fewer leaves on them. If you look closely at this picture looking up stream a lot of the trees where past peak. This tree on the other hand produced what I call the "Red Sky Effect". I loved how the moisture brought out all the colors along the forest floor. I don't know about you, but fallen leaves brings out the child in you.
Well, when I came upon the wilderness sign , I decided I should check how far I came. Oops, the "mountain man" is on the wrong side of the river. Oh well, I will just have to change my plans according. I then spotted two forest rangers finishing up on some maintenance work. Since I was alone, I went to go tell them to change the trail registry for me. They told me, that there was a place to cross the river, (if I did not mind getting my feet wet). We all looked down at my non-waterproof boots, and came to the conclusion that it really didn't matter. So across the river I went.
At this altitude the deciduous trees where being replaced by evergreens. The green provided a nice contrast to the overhanging red leaves. Now on the other side river, I am heading back into thePemigewasset Wilderness. Just, don't ask me how to pronounce it. Further up the trail, I found a perfect setting for a leaf/mushroom/green stuff composition. One of the most frequent asked questions, did the leaves fall that way. Nope, that is why I called it my Composition. After my little mishap earlier of taking the wrong trail, I paid more attention which way I should go.
I love beaver ponds, partially because they remind me of my early fishing trips with my dad. Only if I was here a week earlier, that would have made this beaver pond full of colors.
This picture of a very wet me was actually taken in front of this waterfall. It is amazing what a little flash does. By intentionally turning off the flash for the waterfall picture, it produced the silky effect. Well, enough goofing around, as you can see it is getting dark and I still have not set up camp for the night.
My plans were to stay here at the 13 Falls Tentsite, but after walking through the camp, it was completely full. Mmmm, that was strange, on the way up I only saw a handful of people. A group of French Canadians offered me some forest floor space, but I just wasn't in the mood to socialize. In high use areas like this the Forest Service have regulations of where you can camp. It states that you are required to be a 1/4 mile from any campsite, stream, or trail. Well, by now dusk is rapidly turning into darkness. So, I got out the pen flashlight, and heading up the trail. After 1/4 mile or so, I turned off the trail and headed up the hill. This proved to be somewhat difficult, with all the downed timber, slippery leaves, and branches that come out the sea of darkness. After, weaving back an forth up the hill in search of landing place, I came upon a 'so-so' place. It was big enough, but not exactly flat (as will be shown from the pictures from the next morning). It is a good thing I am by myself because I personally don't mind not having all the creature comforts, but for many it is probably not there idea of a good time. Anyway, I set up the tent, had a bite to eat, and got ready for bed.
As I laid on my nice firm leaf mattress, I thought about the days events. I was also trying NOT to think about what is making the noise outside my tent. As a seasoned backpacker, I 'know' perfectly well, that that noise is just the rain, wind or maybe a just squirrel rustling the leafs... but I read all the signs about bears in the area. I also noticed the bear line at 13 Falls to store the food from these hungry critters. So images of Mr.. Black Bear sniffing around my new home started to dominate my thoughts. I have always wanted to see a bear in the woods, however not at this point and time. Finally, I told myself, go ahead look, but you are a fool. See mountain man, are you satisfied, nothing out but a bunch of leaves, now get some sleep (zzzzz).
The next morning I got a day light view of my surroundings. Here is my vertically slanting bedroom. Next up is my kitchen, complete with gas stove, pots and pans, water, table, and chairs. Now for the pantry where I kept my food, so Mr. Black Bear, could not have a midnight snack. Lastly, here is my moving van which brought stuff to me. Granted I provided the gas.
Another overcast day as I look down stream from 13 Falls. I don't know, but these berries sure look like Bear Food. As I was going up the hill, the clouds where coming down. I took this picture right before I was engulfed in the forest fog. Once I reached the top of the ridge, I came upon the AMC Galehead hut. The Application Mountain Club (or AMC) "maintains more than fifty huts, lodges, and other shelters throughout the Northeast" like this one. The next 0.9 mile where straight up. Well, not quite, but over 1,100 feet of elevation gain in less than a mile is steep. Now at the top of South Twin Mountain, also the highest point along my route, I think we can all agree the views were less that spectacular. It also did not take long for my perspired body to cool off up here, so I moved on.
I arrived at the trail intersection that split off to go Guyot campsite during the daytime. Again, not in the socializing mood, I decided to find my own spot. The trail I was on following went along the ridge of the mountain. Most backpackers know water is seldom found on ridges, but I thought since it was raining I should be able to find a trickle somewhere. Lets say, I finally gave up because I was not willing to head down the hill that far. So, I went back to the intersection and went down to the campsite. There was one open tent site left, and I was very tempted. But this would be TOO easy, real mountain men rough it. I then sat down and drank as much water as I could, and filled up my two water bottles for tonight and tomorrow morning.
Back up to the ridge I went, to find me a place to call home for the night. I went far enough along the trail that I had only needed to go 200 feet from the trail, yet finding a suitable campsite was even more difficult than before. Since I was up high (relative for New Hampshire) the trees were very close together. As dark was rapidly approaching again, I found a spot that would rank among some of my worst tent sites ever, but it will just have to do. I then looked on the bright side, I didn't have to join in on all the fun and laughter at the Guyot campsite. Also, having all that water would make you have to get up in the middle of the night. Oh well, at least I can call myself a real mountain man.
As I started to unpack my stuff, everything was wet. I guess this what happens when you are walking in the rain for two days straight. But fortunatly, I put my nighttime clothes in enough layers of containers that they remain dry. One thing that I have learnt in my backpacking experiences, always keep a set of dry cloths dry. This means in the morning when it is time to venture out of the tent, you MUST put your cold and wet clothes back on. This takes discipline, but you will thank yourself the next night. Also, in emergency situations, you want some dry clothes available. I was a little grumpy, when I took this picture of me ready for bed, but not that grumpy.
Good morning, the sun actually peaked through for a brief second, then went behind the clouds again. In order to remember this dandy of a spot, I took a picture of my bedroom and kitchen. Anxious to warm up my wet clothes, I quickly packed up my stuff and headed on out.
Yesterday I was climbing up into the clouds, this time I was climbing out of them. Up on top, it looked like someone filled the valleys with cottenballs. Mt. Washington is New England highest mountain at 6288 ft. is almost 15 miles as a crow flies from where I am standing. Off the other way it was speculated by my fellow on lookers that this is Bondcliff, where I am headed next. Approaching the Bondcliffs I took a few photos of surrounding cliffs. Bondcliff was one of the biggest deciding factors why I chose this route. Here is what my guide book (Hiking New Hampshire by Larry Pletcher) had to say about it, "Imagine a stony trail that flirts with the edge of a precipice and soars to a mountain peak. A windswept summit of speckled boulders sheltering alpine flowers within their lee. An isolated pinnacle encircled by successive ranges of mountains that recede into the mist. Imagine Bondcliff, my favorite White Mountain peak." Wow, that sounds impressive, so I waited for a hour or so, to see if the the clouds would clear, but this is the best view I was able to get.
Disappointed, I put my pack on an started my 10 mile downhill hike back to the truck. This interesting rock formation is actually part of the trail. It is kinda precarious with a large pack on. After descending back down through the clouds, I emerged into a forest of white birches. I really did not see much wildlife except for the occasional squirrel that made his home in the sea of yellow. This picture is of a small little peaceful creek that I stepped over with one large step. Green Yellow Red are the colors of this trio of trees.
By now, I am starting to feel the effect of hauling my stuff around for some 22 miles (3 more to go), so I fell into a slow relaxing stroll along the river. THEN, the sun broke through and cast a narrow ban of sunlight that lit up the trees like no tommorow. Knowing that my blaze of glory was going to be short lived, I threw off my pack and slide down to the river bank. Rock to rock I jumped to find that perfect vantage point, at the same time the clouds kept moving the window around. With all of this jumping around the rocks, it is a wonder I didn't fall into the river. Well, as you can see Blazing River 1 and Blazing River 2 provided a wonderful ending to what turned out to be a great backpacking trip.
