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Wednesday, December 23, 2020

Vermont Ventures

By Jen.

 

We continued our way westward, passing into Vermont. We decided to check out Groton State Forest.

 

P01_USA VT Groton State Forest Ricker Pond_2020-10-11_Jen_IMG_20201011_081607493_HDR

We made a brief stop at Ricker Pond.


P10_USA VT Groton State Forest Owl's Head Trail_2020-10-11_Jen_IMG_20201011_090800300_HDR

Since the road was closed before 9 am, we had to walk a mile up the road to see the view from Owl’s Head.


P18_USA VT Groton State Forest Devil's Hill Trail_2020-10-11_Jen_IMG_20201011_115037259

We made our way to Devil’s Hill, named for its steepness, to look out on the bog.


P23_USA VT Groton State Forest County Road_2020-10-11_Jen_IMG_20201011_124445288

Our GPS kept trying to send us down these county roads that could hardly even be called a jeep track.

 

Next on our list was Lincoln Peak. After some research, we decided to take the Long Trail from Lincoln Gap Road. We had chosen our camping spot the night before so we would be close to the trailhead, but when we tried to go up the road from the east side, the road was closed. We did some research and discovered that it was open on the other side, so we drove around and then back up. So much for well-laid plans.

 

P39_USA VT Green Mountain NF Long Trail_2020-10-12_Jen_IMG_20201012_101049183

The trail started off pretty good.


P45_USA VT Green Mountain NF Long Trail_2020-10-12_Jen_IMG_20201012_105920665_HDR

Then it got pretty steep, requiring some light bouldering.


P48_USA VT Green Mountain NF Long Trail_2020-10-12_Jen_IMG_20201012_111922582_HDR

The views from the top of Mt. Abraham were pretty great, but it was hard to enjoy them. By this point, we had discovered that we had not dressed warmly enough and were freezing in the chill breeze.


P54_USA VT Green Mountain NF Long Trail_2020-10-12_Jen_IMG_20201012_112047247


P55_USA VT Green Mountain NF Long Trail_2020-10-12_Jen_IMG_20201012_112118601_HDR


Our plan had been to continue on to Lincoln Peak, but decided we were too cold to do so. We hurried back the way we came, warming as we reached lower altitudes.  Then we were off to New York.

Monday, December 21, 2020

New Hampshire

Working our way westward from the coast had us passing through rural New Hampshire. Despite being settled very early in nation’s history, significant parts of NH are public land (likely due to its incompatibility with most kinds of agriculture). The more the better for us wanderers, though. Unfortunately many great areas are owned by private groups.

Despite this, we wanted to drive up Mount Washington. There is a significant toll, but we decided it was worth it. However the first day was very cloudy, so we delayed one day. Thankfully the parking area had great WIFI.

P003_USA NH Mt Washington_2020-10-08_Jen_IMG_20201008_151040133_HDR


The next day was looking much more promising, so we queued up early to make the drive. 

P014_USA NH Mt Washington_2020-10-09_Jen_IMG_20201009_081305752


The signs were also promising. 

P016_USA NH Mt Washington_2020-10-09_Jen_IMG_20201009_082506748


However, it was not to be. There had been snow, so they would not let us go beyond the snow line. In addition, they had some arbitrary rule against “heavy” vehicles. Too scared about liability on the steep downhill. So, rejected, we turned again westwards towards Franconia Notch SP.

P025_USA NH_2020-10-09_Jen_IMG_20201009_095906221

 

P040_USA NH Franconia Notch SP Profile Lake Pullout_2020-10-09_Jen_IMG_20201009_110018850_HDR

 

P035_USA NH Franconia Notch SP Profile Mtn_2020-10-09_Jen_IMG_20201009_105626284_HDR

 

P041_USA NH Franconia Notch SP Profile Lake Pullout_2020-10-09_Jen_IMG_20201009_110030178

 

P044_USA NH Franconia Notch SP Profile Lake Pullout_2020-10-09_Jen_IMG_20201009_110153612_HDR


P087_USA NH Franconia Notch SP Basin-Cascade Trail_2020-10-09_Jen_IMG_20201009_121840790

 

P079_USA NH Franconia Notch SP Basin-Cascade Trail_2020-10-09_Jen_IMG_20201009_121610519_HDR


P060_USA NH Franconia Notch SP Basin-Cascade Trail_2020-10-09_Jen_IMG_20201009_120325917_HDR


P059_USA NH Franconia Notch SP Basin-Cascade Trail_2020-10-09_Jen_IMG_20201009_120254812_HDR


P073_USA NH Franconia Notch SP Basin-Cascade Trail_2020-10-09_Jen_IMG_20201009_121040009_HDR

 

P113_USA NH Franconia Notch SP Basin-Cascade Trail_2020-10-09_Jen_IMG_20201009_125255324_HDR

 

P138_USA NH Franconia Notch SP Bald Mtn-Artists Bluff Trail_2020-10-09_Jen_IMG_20201009_142126948_HDR


P148_USA NH Franconia Notch SP Bald Mtn-Artists Bluff Trail_2020-10-09_Jen_IMG_20201009_143310952_HDR


P162_USA NH Franconia Notch SP Bald Mtn-Artists Bluff Trail_2020-10-09_Jen_IMG_20201009_150026280_HDR


With plenty of miles hiked, we called it a day.  This is a popular ski destination, but for now it was fairly quiet, COVID notwithstanding; you can see ski runs on many of the slopes. Thankfully, it wasn’t a long drive to a secluded pond camping area.

 

P178_USA NH White Mtn NF Elbow Pond_2020-10-09_Jen_IMG_USA NH White Mtn NF Elbow Pond_20201009_160922950 


The next day was another modest hike, in attempt to remedy our desk-trained bodies. 


P198_USA NH Franconia Notch SP Mt Pemigewasset Trail_2020-10-10_Jen_IMG_20201010_101103339_HDR

 

P193_USA NH Franconia Notch SP Mt Pemigewasset Trail_2020-10-10_Jen_IMG_20201010_100934733_HDR

 

P192_USA NH Franconia Notch SP Mt Pemigewasset Trail_2020-10-10_Jen_IMG_20201010_100606775

 

P188_USA NH Franconia Notch SP Mt Pemigewasset Trail_2020-10-10_Jen_IMG_20201010_091325000_HDR

 

P187_USA NH Franconia Notch SP Mt Pemigewasset Trail_2020-10-10_Jen_IMG_20201010_091158153_HDR

Next up, Vermont.

Saturday, December 19, 2020

ReMAINEder

By Jen.

Because driving 4 hours back down to Portland didn’t appeal to us and we figured Josh & Brit could use a day to themselves, we stayed overnight in the Acadia NP area. The next morning as we maneuvered to be closer to Portland in case Josh & Brit wanted to do something northwards, we came across this really cool bridge.

 

P06_USA ME Waldo-Hancock Bridge_ 2020-10-03_Jen_IMG_20201003_080416057_HDR

Turns out it was a replacement for the “most beautiful steel bridge” 1931. You can see one of the cross-sectional pieces there in the foreground.

 

After some research, we decided we wanted to check out Baxter State Park, which is a backcountry park that tries to keep the wild “wild.” No paved roads, plumbing, or electricity. There aren’t even any scenic pull-outs on the park road.

 

P003_USA ME Baxter SP Park Tote Rd_ 2020-10-05_Jen_IMG_20201005_085711222_HDR

Fall foliage is beautiful.

P008_USA ME Baxter SP Slide Dam_ 2020-10-05_Jen_IMG_20201005_090428516_HDR

When we started off the day, it was rather foggy. We were hoping it would clear by the time we got to the top.

P006_USA ME Baxter SP Slide Dam_ 2020-10-05_Jen_IMG_20201005_090410332_HDR

That mountain in background is the mountain we will be hiking later, Doubletop Mountain. Fortunately the fog was clearing off.

P016_USA ME Baxter SP Ledge Falls_ 2020-10-05_Jen_IMG_20201005_091212656

These are called Ledge Falls, and in the summer, people slide down them!

P044_USA ME Baxter SP Doubletop Trail_ 2020-10-05_Jen_IMG_20201005_104047997_HDR

Precariously perched…

P059_USA ME Baxter SP Doubletop Trail_ 2020-10-05_Jen_IMG_20201005_104759037

Up until the creek, we had managed to stay pretty level…

P064_USA ME Baxter SP Doubletop Trail_ 2020-10-05_Jen_IMG_20201005_104912066

Which meant that the trail would be super steep at other points.

P068_USA ME Baxter SP Doubletop Trail_ 2020-10-05_Jen_IMG_20201005_110428362_HDR

P072_USA ME Baxter SP Doubletop Trail_ 2020-10-05_Jen_IMG_20201005_111611987_HDR

When I had picked this trail, I was under the impression that there would be great views, but we were nearly to the top and the trees weren’t thinning into an alpine zone at all. I was afraid there wasn’t going to be any more view than this.

P222_USA ME Baxter SP Doubletop Trail_2020-10-05_JML_IMG_20201005_115329020_HDR

I was still enjoying the hike, but was feeling increasingly uncertain that I would get the views that I was hoping for.

P099_USA ME Baxter SP Doubletop Trail_ 2020-10-05_Jen_IMG_20201005_115216052

All the snails!

P118_USA ME Baxter SP Doubletop Trail_ 2020-10-05_Jen_IMG_20201005_123843533_HDR

P130_USA ME Baxter SP Doubletop Trail_ 2020-10-05_Jen_IMG_20201005_124826406

There was a rickety little ladder to get us to the boulders at the top, which was better than the slippery rock (found out the hard way).

P133_USA ME Baxter SP Doubletop Trail_ 2020-10-05_Jen_IMG_20201005_125124737

Finally, lo and behold, I had my panoramas!

P144_USA ME Baxter SP Doubletop Trail_ 2020-10-05_Jen_IMG_20201005_125849010

P152_USA ME Baxter SP Doubletop Trail_ 2020-10-05_Jen_IMG_20201005_130506000_HDR

While we were resting and enjoying the views, a bold mouse decided it should try for our granola bars.

P225_USA ME Baxter SP Doubletop Trail_2020-10-05_JML_IMG_20201005_130525361_HDR

It came right up to Jonathan’s boots!

Another mouse shortly joined it, but we made it out with no more holes in our bag and our granola bars safe.

P168_USA ME Baxter SP Doubletop Trail_ 2020-10-05_Jen_IMG_20201005_145313231_HDR

P172_USA ME Baxter SP Doubletop Trail_ 2020-10-05_Jen_IMG_20201005_150022597

We came across a ptarmigan on our back!

We were pretty tired after our trek, but Jonathan managed to do some maintenance on the van when we finished. The next day, we had planned to canoe in South Branch Pond, but the weather was not as nice as the day before and we didn’t want to brave the cold on the water. Instead, we did a few hikes.

 

P186_USA ME Baxter SP South Branch Pond_ 2020-10-06_Jen_IMG_20201006_090546545_HDR

P195_USA ME Baxter SP South Branch Falls_ 2020-10-06_Jen_IMG_20201006_121549430_HDR

The very diminutive South Branch Falls.

P201_USA ME Baxter SP South Branch Falls_ 2020-10-06_Jen_IMG_20201006_123338346

P208_USA ME Baxter SP Forestry Trail_ 2020-10-06_Jen_IMG_20201006_133838458

Evidence of beaver-felling!

To finish off Maine, we did a stop at Cadillac Mountain.

P_USA ME Acadia NP Cadillac Mountain_2020-10-07_Jen_IMG_20201007_122944408_HDR

 

P_USA ME Acadia NP Cadillac Mountain_2020-10-07_Jen_IMG_20201007_123830607_HDR

 

P_USA ME Acadia NP Cadillac Mountain_2020-10-07_Jen_IMG_20201007_123227349_HDR

 

I wanted to try and kayak in Merrymeeting Bay, the largest freshwater bay, but it was too windy do so.

 

P_USA ME Merrymeeting Bay_2020-10-08_Jen_IMG_20201008_115040513_HDR

 

 

P_USA ME Merrymeeting Bay_2020-10-08_Jen_IMG_20201008_121216425_HDR

 

P_USA ME Merrymeeting Bay_2020-10-08_Jen_IMG_20201008_121540551

So, we decided to move on to the next state: New Hampshire!