Hiking (with the hounds)

Wow, thank for the pics. It sure is rugged under foot. I don't think I would want to shepherd kids across that trail. I would have my work cut out looking after myself.

 

Dave,
You have added a new place to visit on my bucket list.

 

I picked up this "truck tent" for a upcoming hiking/camping trip I have planned with the hounds in NH. Basically a cabin tent with a sleeve that attatches to your truck. The window in the tent unzips so you have access to the back of the truck. "Test driving" it tonight in the driveway to get the hounds used to it. Will be interesting to see whether they sleep in the dog box in the back of the truck or end up in the tent with me.

 

now don't you wish you had that truck a long time ago!

 

A trip to the Greens or Whites toward the end of summer for some time in the mountains with the Hounds is turning into a yearly thing. Last year was the Greens, this year the Whites.

You can see the first days hike a 4000 footer Mt Jackson and its neighbor Mt Webster which turned into a mini FHC GTG with Well Seasoned and the lovely Dawn here:
Hiking with the hounds and Dave Gunter? | Firewood Hoarders Club

Today I decided to tackle another 4000 footer Mt Moosilauke, which means "a bald place".

Moosilauke is a little unusual in that it is quite tall at 4802 ft but has a broad relatively flat peak that is surrounded by an alpine field. 360 views are stunning, reaching all the way to the Adirondaks on a very clear day. There also used to be a hotel at the peak, the remains of the foundation can still be seen. The North slope trail has some pretty steep sections, but the other trails are all pretty gradual ascents. The AT crosses the summit. Some views of the summit.





Dartmouth college owns a large piece of the land including the summit and a piece at the Eastern edge where they operate a lodge run by the Dartmouth outing club. It is undergoing renovations now and won't reopen till Sept 2017, looks to be an interesting place to stay.




Some fun with the Hounds in the stream at the lodge.




DONT mess with the trail crew.

 

more beautiful scenery. thanks

 

I finished up the trip to the Whites with a quick 6.4 mile 2050 ft gain out and back hike up Mt Osceola (4340 ft) before heading home. Mt Osceola is part of the Sandwich range and named for a Native American tribe chief, it has two peaks Osceola and East peak, both count for the NH48 4000 footers. I didn't make it to the East peak as I read about a chimney between the two that is not "dog friendly", upon talking to some other hikers at the summit I was told of a way around the chimney that should be doable for the Hounds, I'll have to save that for another day. The hike in from Tripoli road is relatively easy with no parts particularly steep and generally pretty good footing. The views from the large flat rock summit are mainly to the east.

The Tripyramids behind the three Hounds on the right.


Here you can see the chimney and East peak



A smaller overlook to the north.

 

Looking forward to many more trips, hopefully we can get together again.

 

Thank you again. You are so fortunate to be able to get away and take in those magnificent views. Your dogs are also lucky. When I think of the dogs that are chained up in someone's back yard and then of your dogs, there is no comparison as to which ones have quality of life.

 

I can smell the high elevation Spruce from your pics, thanks Dave!

 

Have never heard of butt sledding, holy crap does that look like fun!

 

I've seen those things in a few stores, I never had an idea they worked so well. Who made the trail?

 

You break the trail, I'll follow.

 

Made it over to Western Maine for a jaunt up Tumbledown Mtn again Yesterday. This is one of my favorites!