Red Hill Trail #44

Sunday River & Mount Washington. Click on photos to enlarge.

Today, at 30 degrees, felt like summer after yesterday’s ice derby with a wind chill between -15 to -25F. We hiked up the 19th-century farm road that passes a rock cellar; the plowed road mixed dirt, snow from recent flurries, and ice. Today, we headed left at the first gate on the snowmobile trail about 1.1 mile up. We  continued on another 1.5 miles to a trail on the left with a fun view of the full span of Sunday River and a glimpse of Mount Washington.

Four more hikes... up to #43.

 

Joe Pond Loop
Click photos to enlarge. 

Today, with the wind, I'd estimate the 15 degrees felt more like –15 to –25. Not fun. I slipped on ice, fell into a post hole someone had left, and watched wide-eyed as Bailey sprinted toward something 1/4 mile away. I worried that he'd fall prey to a post hole or ice, too. Now, the weather looks to be warming up later this week and I'm ready. My motto: Forties are fine!  

The past few days we did two hikes around the Joe Pond trails, one on Red Hill, and the squirrelly adventure today on the cross-country trail that really shouldn't be called a hike. But... Hike Your Own Hike. At least we were out there.   

Bark Box delivery... he went crazy
with the squeaky toys and treats. 

Post cold-weather hike. "Let's rest." 

At Aunt Sharon's smelling the chili. He didn't

really want to go hime with me--couldn't blame him. 

 

Black Mountain.... #39

Mt Blue on the left and Bald Mt on the right
Click on photos to enlarge. 

Our favorite time to climb Black Mountain is upon us. It's cool enough, firm enough, and beautiful enough to make for a perfect hike near 3.0 hike. Today's Windex blue skies and light winds made the hiking plain old enjoyable. I took a slew of photos of me, and I promise to take most down once I decide which one makes me look youngest, handsomest, finest, tanest... 

Bailey did well on this hike--he led the whole way. I was a bit slow. No matter. We got up and we got down... and that's the name of that tune. As always, HYOH... hike your own hike. 

Hiking around Weld and Center Hill

Byron Notch
Click on photos to enlarge. 

 We can almost smell spring here in Maine. On Sunday, we slipped over the Weld to check on the camp. I followed foot tracks over to Burt's Point and, naturally enough, I heard Uncle Fred had been over earlier to check on the place prior to heading south with Pam. 

Center Hill was in prime shape for snowmobiling, sliding, and hiking. I ran into about a dozen people enjoying the blue skies and moderate temperatures (about 32 degrees F). And yes, there are too many pictures of Bryon Notch... I was trying different settings on my iPhone. Look at these on a computer or laptop; then, you'll get the full effect.  

Sliding hill just beneath Center Hill parking. 

This may be the back side of Saddleback Mountain (right) 

and the Horn (Left). Not 100% sure. Now, because of the 

cone shaped mountain on the right, I think it's Sugarloaf. 

I'm useless. 

Byron Notch

Byron Notch

Byron Notch

Mt Blue

Byron Notch 

Wild dog on Center Hill Summit... 

Wild dog on Center Hill Summit... 

Wild dog rolling on Center Hill Summit... 

Saddleback and the Horn?

Gee, Byron Notch? 

  

Whitecap after the deep freeze... Hike #35

Looking toward Sunday River and The White Mountains.
Click on photos to enlarge

On Tuesday, the temperature hit –20 to –30 degrees F with the wind. We drove to the post office and it took me hours to warm up! Today, we were at 32 degrees F. A 50 degree difference, give or take. March in Maine... On Rumford's Whitecap today, the wind blew, but it was not remotely as cold as yesterday. I used microspikes, and they worked perfectly on the firm trail with small spots of ice. Above tree line, the trail stayed firm with small drifts here and there. It felt great to be out on the mountain. 

Bailey's Cairn

Wind-blown fur. 

Heading home.