June 17, 2007
Because of previous commitments, I'm getting a very late start on today's hike. I arrived at Crawford Depot at 3:30 pm. Today I will climb Mount Tom. Mounts Tom, Field, and Willey are usually hiked together, but last year about this time I was under another time restraint and only hiked Field and Willey. After today I'll have a matched set. Here's today's track from my Delorme GPS. Remember that a GPS is accurate down to a few yards which is why it looks like I'm hiking next to the trail at times.
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There were lots of pretty, purple flowers next to the parking lot.
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Here's Crawford Depot. It is still an active depot as a scenic railroad connects Crawford Notch with North Conway. The Appalachian Mountain Club also has a small store inside.
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Crossing the railroad tracks.
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After I crossed the tracks I saw some stones mixed in with some grass. There must have been something written there once upon a time. I concentrated on the gray stones trying to get a few letters. Then I realized I was concentrating on the wrong thing. I needed to be looking at the green. Once I realized that, it clearly spelled 'Crawford'. Here's two photos stitched together.
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Madison and I began today's hike on the Avalon Trail.
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If there is a river, lake, stream, or puddle, Madison will find it.
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A little over a mile in, we came to a trail junction. The Avalon Trail continued on to Mount Avalon (that stands to reason). We turned onto the A-Z trail which gets its name by connecting the Avalon Trail with the Zealand Trail.
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The next mile was quite steep with lots of stone staircases.
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After going up, up, and then up, we reached the spur trail for Mount Tom . . .
. . . where we went up some more.
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Madison and I finally reached the top. The trail continues on just a bit. My map was showing a scenic viewpoint so I figured that was where it was taking us. Sure enough it was. There was even a seat which Madison tried out.
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Looks like there would be a great view from here, but with today's overcast weather it was just so-so.
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The dead tree limb in the picture above spoils the view. I decided to do something about it. I walked down to the dead tree and pushed. CRACK. I pushed again. SNAP. There, that's better. Now future hikers can enjoy a better view.
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Looking over toward Crawford Notch.
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Even though it was overcast, it was great being on the mountain top. It was a hot day, and there was a nice cool, refreshing breeze. I sat and enjoyed the mountain. Even Madison, who is usually running around, decided to get comfortable.
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There were lots of these white flowers on the summit.
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It was time to get back. We walked back up the trail a few yards to the summit. This time I noticed a split in the trail. Oh, the trail keeps going. It does look just a little higher over there. I walked down the trail where entered some dense trees and out the other side where I found a rock cairn. OK! This has got to be the summit.
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That was close. I almost climbed 99.9% of the mountain without going to the summit. This is my 40th 4000 footer in the White Mountains. Just 8 to go. This is #4 for Madison. Madison and I returned over the same route with one minor detour. We stopped to check out two cascades.
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If you ever do this hike, the cascades are worth the very short detour. Now for another long drive home.
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