Sunrise to Sunset; the Final 52

First, let me start by pointing out that this is not me putting my foot in my mouth after last week.  I may have had another pre-dawn start, but I actually woke up a bit later than when we were headed to Chocorua.  Of course, that’s the benefit of having the Belknaps basically in your backyard. 

Hummingbird and I typically plan a sunrise hike around this time each year, strategically just before the clocks turn back, thereby allowing the latest start possible.  I was at the end of my 52 Hike Challenge, and wanted something at least relatively "epic" for my finish hikes.  We decided on a pair of outings, starting with sunrise and ending with sunset, to round out what was to be my final 52. 

Mt. Chocorua family hike

I wasn't sure what to expect from Mt. Chocorua.  I'd only hiked it once two years ago, in a very ambitious hiking year with lots of challenging peaks & trails.  We combined it with Middle Sister when Hawk & I did it then, so I only had stats from that bigger hike.  Obviously I survived it, and doing Choc alone would be at least slightly easier.  And I remember enjoying it all and wanting to return, but also recall my hip went out on the summit, which was not as fun.  (I don't know if it was related to the difficulty of the hike, or if it was coincidental.  Probably some combination, as that does happen to me at times.)  What I didn't remember was how I felt physically (other than my hip issues) after that hike.  And this year has most definitely not been as ambitious.  I've been mostly focused on smaller trails, and do not feel in as quite good shape as I did in 2020.  On top of that, I happened to be having somewhat higher pain levels in general this past week.  So I really didn't know how I would handle Choc this time around.

Fall hiking! Precipice, Quarry, Straightback

There was an incident somewhat recently where a hiker fell off a cliff along Precipice Path and was airlifted out with serious head trauma.  My best guess is that it was around this spot.  It's a good example of how not take these "little" mountains for granted; they can be just as dangerous as some of the Whites.

Me being silly, imagine that.

Franconia Falls: Biking & Hiking & Yoga, oh my!

First of all, Hawk is crazy.  He has this “romantic” habit of spending far too much money on me, frequently in the practical form of hiking gear and such.  His latest gift (which shall count for early xmas) was a new bicycle!  True, I did “need” one if I wanted to get back into biking, which would also allow us more opportunities for new shared activities, but I couldn’t justify the expense.  This obviously didn’t phase Hawk.  He picked out a nice, mid-range, all purpose trail bike that was relatively affordable (but still way more than I feel deserving of.)  Thankfully, REI carried it, so we do at least get a guarantee if for any reason the bike doesn’t work out for me.  So far though, it is proving to work out well!

Last weekend we did an official test ride on a local rail trail in Maine.  It was a nice mix of pavement and smooth gravel, perfect for my first big ride.  This weekend we took our bikes out to try them on low elevation hiking trail conditions, which is what I’m likely going to be spending more time on, compared to in-town riding.  And it definitely made me grateful to have the versatile trail model rather than a pure street bike. 

CITC Brook Walk & Bald Knob

The original plan was to hike Mt. Israel, along with the adjoining trail for Beede Falls.  For multiple reasons, we decided to change those plans.

Nova Scotia waterfalls & trails

Canada has always been a bucket list trip for me.  I've been across the border twice to QC for dog shows, but obviously there remains a lot more to see!  This time I got to explore NS, which has always been near the top of my list.

Ingonish, Nova Scotia

This was our first real day-long adventure on Cape Breton Island.  Oh how I needed the nature therapy!  We drove about an hour north from our lodging on the famous Cabot Trail, which is simply the main road that circles a large portion of the island, including the Highlands National Park.  Unfortunately we did not have time to drive the entire loop as most people recommend.  Besides already spending enough hours in the car and money on gas, there was hiking to do!

Gulf Hagas waterfalls

The trouble with celebrating an anniversary on Memorial Day weekend is that, typically, no matter where you go, you’re fighting traffic and crowds and all the insanity that goes along with all that.  But not this year.  Instead, we spent it fighting heat and black flies and mosquitoes, hiking for miles through remote wilderness.  Sounds like an anniversary that could become tradition. 😂

Mt. Shannon via Camp Bell

Ah, Mt. Shannon.  As you can tell, we can't get enough of this hike. 😄  But we did do something totally different this time...

Creek Farm/Little Harbor Loop

It was 90's inland.  Definitely a good day for hiking by ocean!  What ever happened to spring??

The Shannon Shimmy

The question is not whether to dance... the question is where to do it.

Mt. Rowe trails scavenger hunt

Go figure... We had all of our redlining around Rowe finished, and then they go and add two new required trails!  Trails, by the way, which are also not on the current official Belknap hiking map.  So they take a bit more research and explorative spirit.

Mt. Shannon Easter hike

Didn’t I just say something in my last blog entry about “anything can happen” in New England this time of year?  Well, it certainly did catch us by surprise today!

Avery Hill & Mt. Anna

Part of me was tempted to label this as "overambitious."  It was very close!

Head's Pond Trail and "Sheep Dog Rock"

Gotta pat the sheep head!

Time for some rock hunting!  And to prove how out of shape I am.

Bradbury Mt. State Park

Let’s be honest, coastal southern Maine does not have the variety of mountainous hikes to choose from that central NH does.  There are plenty of excellent trails, and a few scattered small mountains, but the southern coast simply has less elevation overall than further inland.  So we knew we weren’t doing anything too intense within a reasonable driving distance from the Portland area.  But of course you know I’m perfectly fine with that. 

Mt. Major family hike

It was a late morning start at one of the state's most popular hiking destinations…  Thank God it's still the off-season!

“secret view loop”

On those days when you just need a quickie…

Lockes Hill, lakeview trail

Hike #13!  And nothing unlucky about it! 😊

double climb up Pine

Hummingbird has been wanting to get in a sunrise hike, so shortly after the clocks changed seemed like the best time to go, since it'd be the latest rise now until autumn.  Bonus that this was also a St Patrick's Day hike.  Because why not?  (We are Irish, after all.)  And yes, of course we wore green!