September 6, 2009 Hike #1
Today I wanted to do something a little different. I finally decided to go after a small mountain that I've been trying to get to for a couple of years. I wanted to do it on a good weather day. Well, today was the day. I parked at the Flume Visitor Center. This hike was so short that I decided not to carry anything but my hiking poles and camera. Since I'm training for an ultramarathon in a few weeks, I decided to see how far up this mountain I could run. It sure started off easy enough on the paved bike path.
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That was short lived. I then took the Mount Pemigewasset Trail.
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Through a tunnel . . .
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. . . over a bridge . . .
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. . . and through another tunnel.
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As typical in the Whites, the higher you get the rockier it gets and the steeper it gets. I got about a half a mile from the summit and realized that running was no longer an option (at least for me). A little later, I reached the tenth of a mile spur trail which brought me to the summit.
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View from the 2557' summit.
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For a video clip click here.
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I climbed down a little to get a better view of the side.
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In the interest of red-lining, I returned via the Indian Head Trail.
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Coming out at a different trailhead meant I had a roadwalk ahead. I've driven by the Indian Head Motel many times and have often wanted to climb the tower. I went in. Although the cost was more than reasonable (just 50 cents), I didn't have my wallet with me.
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Looking up to Indian Head from Route 3
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I ran the rest of the way back to my truck. I didn't time the hike, but I believe it was under 2 hours.
Now it was time for Hike #2.
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