Hedgehog Mountain - 2532'

The UNH Trail up Hedgehog Mountain takes off from a mid-Kancamagus trailhead. After a week of rain the lower third of the trail was a layer of squishy leaves--and a cold 40 degrees. Our clockwise ascent seemed to be the easiest route on this loop though it seemed the dozen or so other people we encountered were going counter-clockwise. Some nice steep ledge near the top.

Muh checking out some beautiful lavender moss.




How cold was it? Well, those are icicles on the rock by Muh's knees.




The ridge to its southeast and Mt. Passaconaway (right).

Muh resting and looking out at Mt. Paugus and Chocorua over its left shoulder.

Prior to heading up to Allen's Ledge Duh had to do a weak Sideshow Bob impersonation.

A spectacular view from the top. Tripyramid here:

And an already snow-covered Mt. Washington.

White Lake

Duh's back was the victim of a lawn mowing accident which kept us on flat ground this week. We checked out Madison Boulder believing that there were some conservancy trails in the area. Finding none, it was off to Plan B at White Lake State Park.

Madison Boulder is believed to be one of the largest eratics in the world. We read somewhere that one of the likely sources of this boulder is White Ledge--about four miles away.

Muh never felt so small! Unfortunately, the boulder is coverd in grafiti.




With Duh on the DL Muh had to play Colby Mule. Cute as a button.





We've been sort of surprised at the lack of wildlife sightings in the WMNF. On today's walk around White Lake, however, we saw a couple of (skittish) loons, a colossal and very active woodpecker, and Vanna's beaver lodge here:




I don't know why but there were several trees along the shore blown over--hanging and growing over the water. Here's a good shot of Mt. Whittier which we were surprised to find out is next to the old Mt. Whittier ski area which is evidently not on Mt Whittier but Grant Peak.

White Ledge Redux

While our favorite son was home for fall break we wanted to take him for a hike so we brought him up to White Ledge--familiar territory. On our previous trip we started at the trailhead within the WMNF White Ledge Campground. This time we took off from the alternate trailhead a half mile or so further north on Route 16.

Muh was very happy to have the boy alone for the trip.






The color was still pretty good.

Arj inspecting the White Ledge Cache. His first.

Muh's hero!

Duh's hero. (Duh is not doing a Michael Jackson impersonation.) You can't see the scorched skull here, but today we learned that sunscreen is needed even in late October. What you can see is a good shot of Mt. Chocorua.