Winter Walks

Well, my photos are in reverse.  The first picture is the view of Pitcher Mtn. fire tower, from Hubbard Hill.
This photo is of Mt. Monadnock from Pitcher Mtn.
This one, is Pitcher Mtn. tower, with all the wonderful Blueberry bushs in the foreground.
I have been fortunate to be able to take many hikes this winter.  Most recently, I hiked with my friend Becky, in Pisgah park.  Pisgah is the largest State Park in New Hampshire.   We did five miles on snowshoes, but we could have hiked just as easily without snowshoes.  We kept up a brisk pace, as we walked over hill and dale through what seemed like the deep woods.  We walked across Fullam Pond to the dam.   The wind blew ferociously, so we quickly went back into the woods.  We came upon a few people along the way.  Towards the end of our hike, we came upon two girls, and their puppy only a few months old.  I was astonished at their complacent attitude for the way they were dressed, and the fact there wasn't much daylight left.  One of the girls was carrying a large Dunkin Donuts coffee!  These ladies were dressed in jeans, light footwear, and no hats.  They also had no water or daypack.  Since I haven't read about any search parties going out in the area, I assume they made it to their destination and back without incident.  

I have been reading "Not Without Peril", which is an anthology of stories about folks who have fallen prey to the weather in the White Mountains.  The stories really bring forth the point that you can not take for granted that you will go out and back in sunshine and happiness.  The weather in New Hampshire can change quickly.  Though Pisgah Park is a far cry, from Mt. Washington, you can certainly have just as big of a "stupid attack".  When I saw those girls, I envisioned Fish and Game going out later that night, looking for them.

Anyway, the other day, I took Evvy up to Pitcher Mtn. in Stoddard.  Not a soul was there, as we got a late start.  The walking was easy, and required no snowshoes.  The trail was well worn, and packed down.  If I happened to step off the trail, I'd sink right down.  So we hiked up the mountain first, then we headed off to the north along the Sunapee-Greenway trail.  I hoped to make it to a Fox Brook campsite.  We walked to Hubbard Hill, for some awesome views of the Andorra forest, Mt Sunapee and Lovewell Mtn.  At the top of Hubbard Hill, you can find a wonderful spacious flat spot, many acres around.   The area had burned in 1941, along with the fire tower on Pitcher Mtn.   During the summer, there are "a gazillion" blueberry bushes along the open spaces on Pitcher, and the trail out to Hubbard Hill.

The photos are the Pitcher Mtn. fire tower today, Evvy romping along the trail on top of Hubbard Hill, and the view of Pitcher Mtn. tower from Hubbard Hill, in reverse order :-).  According to the G-S trail guide, we hiked six miles round trip.  We emerged from the woods, after dark.  But the moon was nearly full, creating just enough light.  And yes, we were dressed for the weather, and I carrying a small pack with snacks, water, and minimal emergency stuff.  We didn't make it to the Fox Brook campsite, because of the waning daylight. Next time, I hope to explore the area again, starting from Cold Spring Pond, which is north on Rte 123 in Stoddard, below Pitcher Mt.