My Grand Tour of Mt. Pemigewasset and Surrounding Area

INTRODUCTION:

Recently I shared some thoughts online with a blogger friend of mine named Ryan who authors "Guthook Hikes" (click HERE).  For anyone unfamiliar with his blog, stop by for a visit sometime.  It's a terrific read!

The thoughts I shared with Ryan had to do with boredom and complacency.  I stated that these had never been issues for me, but did admit to experiencing a decreased ‘fervor’ for revisiting places that I’ve already visited, and for doing things I’ve already done.  However, as an offset to this, there has been an increased passion to explore new places, and to make other changes such as visiting a familiar place via an unfamiliar route.  Considering the research involved for finding new places and for alternative ways of doing things, boredom and complacency don’t stand a chance of ever taking over!

Related to the above topic of exploration and change, perhaps frequent readers of my blog will recall that my previous posting (click HERE) contained a footnote which presented some thoughts about either discontinuing my blog, or making changes to it.  I've decided to maintain my blog, but will be experimenting now and then with different styles of writing and presentation.

So, please bear with me while I experiment.  But also keep in mind that I relish change, which might mean there will be no end to my shifting styles!  Or then again, who knows!  I might stumble upon a style that I like and then stick with it for a while until the urge for change once again prevails!

MY 'GRAND TOUR' OF MT. PEMIGEWASSET AND SURROUNDING AREA:

My 'Grand Tour' included visits to the following locations: 1) ledge located below and east of summit of Mt. Pemigewasset (see Addendum at bottom of this report); 2) summit of Mt. Pemigewasset; 3) Mud Pond which is situated a short distance north of Mt. Pemigewasset.

Perhaps it should be noted that I've visited all three of those destinations on numerous occasions.  However, this is an example of what was mentioned above, i.e. visiting familiar places via unfamiliar routes.  Various components of this trek were new to me, foremost of which was the ascent of Mt. Pemigewasset from the ledge located below and east of the summit.

Map showing places I visited along with a general idea of the route of travel

The snowpack wasn't rock-hard like we often get in early Springtime.  However, it was firm enough for some enjoyable off trail travel.

Franconia Range as viewed from an off-trail ledge located below and east of Mt. Pemigewasset's summit

When trekking to Mt. Pemigewasset's summit from the ledge below it, I was surprised to find a rough corridor and sawed off branches.  (Steve Smith suggested that this might be the remnants of an abandoned trail that once ran between the Indian Head Resort and the summit.)

On the way up to the summit, there was a nicely framed view of massive Mt. Moosilauke on the distant horizon

Peaks in the Franconia Range, as viewed from the summit of Mt. Pemigewasset.  (As shown earlier, there is a less obstructed view of this mountain range from the off-trail ledge located below and east of the summit.)

Among many other mountains, the eastward view from the summit of Mt. Pemigewasset features Loon Mountain, Scar Ridge and the Osceolas.  Click HERE for a complete view guide at Steve Smith's website.

A portion of the Franconia Range as viewed from Mud Pond

Cannon Mountain as viewed from Mud Pond

While descending the Mt. Pemigewasset Trail during those seasons of the year when leaves are off the trees, there are pleasant views of the Franconia Range (particularly Mt. Flume).

~ THE END ~
////////////////////////

Addendum (added 02-Mar-2014):
Since others might have the same question, I'm sharing a response that I provided to a reader who sent me an e-mail asking if Google Earth imagery shows the ledge that I visited on Mt. Pemigewasset's east side.  The answer is yes it does, but just barely (see image below).  I cannot say that finding this ledge is quite as difficult as finding the proverbial 'needle in a haystack'.  However, I can definitely say that this ledge is a mere fraction of the size of the massive area of exposed rock at the summit of Mt. Pemigewasset.

CLICK ON THIS IMAGE TO ENLARGE IT