Mount Willard/Middle Sugarloaf 9/12/11
Mount Willard 2800'
3.2 miles 900' Elevation gain
Middle Sugarloaf 2539’ in the Little River Mountains
2.8 Miles 800' Elevation gain
Kevin, Judy and Emma
Monday we took it easy. It was a recovery day after the 14 mile round trip to Carrigain the day before. After a big breakfast we took a late start and headed toward the top of Crawford Notch to visit an old friend, Mount Willard. From my records I guess we hadn't been there since May of '02. It was nice to return. It is a nice little hike on easy footing, and offers some outstanding views of Crawford Notch. Though I had seen the view before I was astounded once again. It is just beautiful, and after the "Big" hike the day before, a welcome retreat. It's nice to visit spots that offer great views for so little effort once in awhile. Another nice thing is that there is a beautiful little waterfall about half way through the trip, and as it was a nice warm September day we stopped to cool off. Emma took a little nap. She's 84 in dog years now if you go by the standard 1 human year = 7 dog years, though I think there are more accurate formulas out there. We are tapering off with the "Big" hikes for her, especially when it's hot out, although she still does amazingly well.
After a big "Late lunch, early supper" we headed off for sunset on Middle Sugarloaf again. Emma made it plain she was not interested to do a second hike this day, so she and Judy returned to camp leaving me to watch alone. Now I wished I had blown off Willard so they could be with me, but even more I wished we had backpacked up to stay the night. I should have sucked it up and packed our stuff up, but I didn't. The sunset was avery nice one. I watched until the last sliver disappeared behind the western hills, then turned to see if the moon was coming up yet. It was to be full tonight, another reason I should have packed us up, but no regrets. I was astounded when less than 2 minutes after the sun had set the moon began to rise behind the Presidential Range.
I took a shot of the last sliver of sun at 7:04:24 and the first sliver of moon at 7:05:50, 1:36 apart. I stayed until it was dark and the moon was well on the rise, then I descended by headlamp. Shortly after I returned to camp I heard the wailing and yipping of the nearby coyotes who roam the forest near the Sugarloafs. Their voices are beginning to seem familiar to me... On the way home Tuesday we stopped by the new "Old Man" memorial in Franconia Notch. I like what they finally came up with. It works...
Read More3.2 miles 900' Elevation gain
Middle Sugarloaf 2539’ in the Little River Mountains
2.8 Miles 800' Elevation gain
Kevin, Judy and Emma
Monday we took it easy. It was a recovery day after the 14 mile round trip to Carrigain the day before. After a big breakfast we took a late start and headed toward the top of Crawford Notch to visit an old friend, Mount Willard. From my records I guess we hadn't been there since May of '02. It was nice to return. It is a nice little hike on easy footing, and offers some outstanding views of Crawford Notch. Though I had seen the view before I was astounded once again. It is just beautiful, and after the "Big" hike the day before, a welcome retreat. It's nice to visit spots that offer great views for so little effort once in awhile. Another nice thing is that there is a beautiful little waterfall about half way through the trip, and as it was a nice warm September day we stopped to cool off. Emma took a little nap. She's 84 in dog years now if you go by the standard 1 human year = 7 dog years, though I think there are more accurate formulas out there. We are tapering off with the "Big" hikes for her, especially when it's hot out, although she still does amazingly well.
After a big "Late lunch, early supper" we headed off for sunset on Middle Sugarloaf again. Emma made it plain she was not interested to do a second hike this day, so she and Judy returned to camp leaving me to watch alone. Now I wished I had blown off Willard so they could be with me, but even more I wished we had backpacked up to stay the night. I should have sucked it up and packed our stuff up, but I didn't. The sunset was avery nice one. I watched until the last sliver disappeared behind the western hills, then turned to see if the moon was coming up yet. It was to be full tonight, another reason I should have packed us up, but no regrets. I was astounded when less than 2 minutes after the sun had set the moon began to rise behind the Presidential Range.
I took a shot of the last sliver of sun at 7:04:24 and the first sliver of moon at 7:05:50, 1:36 apart. I stayed until it was dark and the moon was well on the rise, then I descended by headlamp. Shortly after I returned to camp I heard the wailing and yipping of the nearby coyotes who roam the forest near the Sugarloafs. Their voices are beginning to seem familiar to me... On the way home Tuesday we stopped by the new "Old Man" memorial in Franconia Notch. I like what they finally came up with. It works...
Loafin' at Sugarloaf Campground.
