Mount Roberts & Faraway Mountain 11-26-19
Wicket & Hank got together for a hike in the Ossipees and we just tagged along. They led us on winding switch-backs on what were once well maintained Carriage Roads.
As we rose through the forest we went from leaf-cluttered trails and pools of water and mud to inches of wet snow. As we continued to rise in elevation wet snow became crunchy and increased in depth to 3 or 4 inches.
The Carriage Roads provide an easy, wide track and the dogs had plenty of room to romp and play as we made our way towards Faraway Mountain.
In many places our path had been crossed by black bear, and the dogs were very intrigued by this scent and track, though they stayed close by, not really wanting to meet any bears in person.
We did not bother to follow the spur trail to Faraway Mountain this time, maybe next. So, by-passing Faraway we came to some nice views south and west across Winnepesaukee to the Belknaps and beyond.
Between Faraway and Mount Roberts we encountered shady fir groves where the ice still clung from storms earlier in the week. Narrow corridors of frozen snow-covered firs were beautiful and felt like we were further north in higher elevations.
Eventually winding our way around to Roberts we made the last short ascent to a rocky outcrop which provided excellent views to the north of the Sandwich Range and beyond to many other mountains including the Crown Jewell of New Hampshire, Mount Washington.
From Robert's low summit, looking northeast towards Washington some 30 or more miles away through the warm haze of a late autumn Indian Summer Day I had the feeling that I was looking at a much larger and more distant mountain, much like seeing Ranier or McKinley from afar.
The trees below us were mainly mountain ash and loaded with berries. It is no wonder that we were seeing bear tracks with all the berries and acorns still available. Hope they all have full bellies and have a great winter's sleep!
After some snacking on the summit we began our descent along the trail, dropping back down into the fir trees, then rising up to rocky outcrops again, where views opened up with glimpses of the surrounding hills and much further beyond.
On one such outcrop we stopped to feel the warm sun and to stare out across the vastness of Winnepesaukee, still mostly open water despite the inches of snow dampening our boots and keeping things just uncomfortable enough to keep our stops brief.
On one outcrop I recreated a photo I had taken many years before of our beloved Emma. This time our much-loved Wicket stood peering out across the bare trees, taking in all her surroundings and feeling the warm sun on her face much as Emma had done years before.
I paused to remember the little girl who once led us through these hills. I gave thanks that she was once a huge part of all we did, and now, even though there is another dog at my heel, it feels as though she is still there with us, leading and keeping us all in line they way she would.
I had many things to be thankful for on the eve of Thanksgiving, not the least of which are the fur-companions I have known over the years. I love how this one romps and plays with her friend Hank, not like Emma did with her bestie Mr. Blue, but different and beautiful in their own way.
We have been so fortunate to have our health and so many beautiful days walking through the woods and hills of our adopted state with such enthusiastic companions. May it always be so!
Read MoreAs we rose through the forest we went from leaf-cluttered trails and pools of water and mud to inches of wet snow. As we continued to rise in elevation wet snow became crunchy and increased in depth to 3 or 4 inches.
The Carriage Roads provide an easy, wide track and the dogs had plenty of room to romp and play as we made our way towards Faraway Mountain.
In many places our path had been crossed by black bear, and the dogs were very intrigued by this scent and track, though they stayed close by, not really wanting to meet any bears in person.
We did not bother to follow the spur trail to Faraway Mountain this time, maybe next. So, by-passing Faraway we came to some nice views south and west across Winnepesaukee to the Belknaps and beyond.
Between Faraway and Mount Roberts we encountered shady fir groves where the ice still clung from storms earlier in the week. Narrow corridors of frozen snow-covered firs were beautiful and felt like we were further north in higher elevations.
Eventually winding our way around to Roberts we made the last short ascent to a rocky outcrop which provided excellent views to the north of the Sandwich Range and beyond to many other mountains including the Crown Jewell of New Hampshire, Mount Washington.
From Robert's low summit, looking northeast towards Washington some 30 or more miles away through the warm haze of a late autumn Indian Summer Day I had the feeling that I was looking at a much larger and more distant mountain, much like seeing Ranier or McKinley from afar.
The trees below us were mainly mountain ash and loaded with berries. It is no wonder that we were seeing bear tracks with all the berries and acorns still available. Hope they all have full bellies and have a great winter's sleep!
After some snacking on the summit we began our descent along the trail, dropping back down into the fir trees, then rising up to rocky outcrops again, where views opened up with glimpses of the surrounding hills and much further beyond.
On one such outcrop we stopped to feel the warm sun and to stare out across the vastness of Winnepesaukee, still mostly open water despite the inches of snow dampening our boots and keeping things just uncomfortable enough to keep our stops brief.
On one outcrop I recreated a photo I had taken many years before of our beloved Emma. This time our much-loved Wicket stood peering out across the bare trees, taking in all her surroundings and feeling the warm sun on her face much as Emma had done years before.
I paused to remember the little girl who once led us through these hills. I gave thanks that she was once a huge part of all we did, and now, even though there is another dog at my heel, it feels as though she is still there with us, leading and keeping us all in line they way she would.
I had many things to be thankful for on the eve of Thanksgiving, not the least of which are the fur-companions I have known over the years. I love how this one romps and plays with her friend Hank, not like Emma did with her bestie Mr. Blue, but different and beautiful in their own way.
We have been so fortunate to have our health and so many beautiful days walking through the woods and hills of our adopted state with such enthusiastic companions. May it always be so!
