Reservation/Tower Rd Jct > Tower Rd > Mountain Trail > South Ridge Trail > Boulder Trail > North Mt Trail > Reservation Road
6.4 mi 1800' gain
Lots of people, dogs, vultures and sun out today!
Cars were lined along the road at all 3 entry points along Reservation Road.
My primary goal was the tower, I was hoping for some long shots of Portsmouth, so I drove past the North Mountain pullover ( and the dozen or so cars there) and past the Round Pond road (and the half dozen cars there) and parked at the Tower Road (still gated) junction with Reservation Rd. The Round Pond Rd gate was open, but there was a two foot snowbank across the road. I dont believe it is intended to be open yet, there's a lot of water out there, but about half a dozen people drove over the snowbank and to Round Pond.
Managed to get up to the tower without being trampled, or trampling anyone else. Tried taking some pics from the tower, but strong wind once off the ground; made for lots of vibration. Plus, there was more haze than I'd hoped. Took a few pics anyway just for practice, and watched people coming and going below. It's kind of surprising to me how few people climb the tower, and of those who do how many are kind of nervous. I'm certainly not beyond being cautious, but count myself lucky that the tower doesnt frighten me - the views are so much better above the trees!
Down from the tower , thought I'd do some exploring, found proof that Mastodons once roamed the region :)
That was so encouraging - and the day so nice - that I thought I might as well hike some more. I had some qualms, the "shoulds" started to sneak up on me - I should do some yard work, I should work on my stock portfolio I should .... then the sun and sky and vultures kind of took over. And I realized I don't *have* a stock portfolio :) I do have a yard, but what good is yard work without black flies? That can wait.... maybe Sunday ...
so ... on to Round Pond. Ran into a strange group there, about a dozen young men and a couple older ones in a circle, some sort of self-criticism group encounter thing going on. Maybe a youth group doing a group hike? An academy doing a spring encounter? Anyway, on toward the Boulder Field.
There's a choke point on the trail, where you really can't whack around... and four rock climbers blocking the trail at that point with their dog, who (of course) came out growling ("It;s ok! He's friendly!" Right.) OK, fine, waited a couple minutes while they packed up - blocking the trail , no offer to let me pass. Then they headed off - in the same direction, continuing to block the trail with me nipping at their heels so to speak. They were headed for the Boulder Fields, obviously. I wasn't at all upset, and am not now. Just kind of mystified at the lack of trail etiquette. I dont think they were being intentionally rude, just kind of clueless - not even aware there was something to consider out of their little bubble . Ahhh ... to be that age again :) !
Reached the Boulder fields, headed up North Mountain leaving the rockers to themselves. Next met a couple of women with another dog, but this one was happy enough :) Chatted a bit, then onward.
Met another dog, who greeted me with barking and growling and aggressive approach. No owner in earshot. She did eventually show up. And gave the obligatory "It's OK , he's friendly" greeting. Right, I could see he's friendly ;) Onward ... met a couple from Maine, descending, turned out they were doing some geocaching search. Again a brief chat, and onward to the reflector. More growling dogs <sigh> but at least these were under control.
A short break to assure TLV via phone that though running late I wasn't yet vulture bait, then on along North Mountain. Surprisingly, it was as though the people spigot had been turned off; I saw no one else until I reached Reservation Road ( and a 90 lb Pit Bull growling and barking .. but the owner got him under control assuring me "It's Ok, he's friendly" . Honestly, I've never seen so many friendly dogs in one day :)
Then it was a quick road walk back to the car. Driving out I met my Maine friends again, I was happy to see they had made it back to the road. I gave them a ride back to their car; they were happy to skip the road walk, esp since they had a 2 hour drive in front of them and it was getting a bit late.
Then it was home, where TLV made a nice pizza ... just for me :)
Perfect day!