Climbing Kinsman Mountain, FRanconia Notch, NH

Today we attacked Kinsman's Mountain. The day started off over cast. We chose an alternate AT route. The Lonesome lake Trail. It is designated by a yellow Blaze. (I have to put this picture together from two shots.)

Several hikers passed us climbing the first rise.

Thi is not a good picture. But it was the only opening I had of the highway below tha we had left earlier.

This was not going to be all fun and games since they have had a lot of rain. This is a Bog, at home we would call it swampy.

More water, but my girl is navigating it. Neither one of us fell in. This mess is about a foot deep with black soupy mud.

We reached Lonesome Lake, 3000' elevation, but we only climbed 1500 ft. Here is where we met the Appalachian Trail. The lake is prestine, the only way to get here is walk.

I am looking at the crystal clear water of the lake.

This was an area of small pines. looked like Shrubs along the trail.

There was lot of rock climbing today, this time I was ahead of my girl.

A good bit of the wet lands were boarded over. This is not for the hikers benefit. It is for the environment. To keep the bogs from being 'trailed'. But it sure does benefit the hiker in the long run. Keep in mind these boards are Very heavy. 4 x 10x 10ft long. Each one had to be carried all the way up the mountain by volunteers.

This is my attempt to capture the mountain to our south. But I was not successful.

My steady up there fighting the rocks and roots.

Another BOG on the AT, This time it is crossed using downed limbs and rocks. (I think I grabbed the wrong picture)

We had two very steep rock climbs and scrambles. Above is one

This is another. Notice I made every attempt to miss her butt. I love following THAT (girl).

This is the only example of trail architecture. Folks do this when they are taking a break. There are many instances of areas of stacked rocks. Usually hikers just leave them for others to enjoy, and they start accumulating. There was only two or three here.

One of the several water sources we passed. this was coming out of the rocks.

We had passed a group of boys backpacking. This group that passed was all girls. each one carrying a pretty big back pack. They were laughing and having fun.

Now friend Rain, finds VERY interesting trees. She talks to them and they to her. I never saw a face. Maybe the States don't have facial trees like Canada. LOL. But this one, well.... I had several ideas but I will not share them. Except that tree is trying to hatch a large egg. LOL.

I do have a facination the combination of trees and rocks. Years ago I used to think how strong the growth process of a tree must be. They can break rocks and crack cement, no matter what thickness. I used to give the tree all the credit for staying power. BUT I learned the Tree always loses in the end and the Rock wins. The tree dies, a rock is forever.

Thanks for coming this way to read this drivil.

Nite Shipslog.

PS:

You Know You're in a Redneck Church if ...
the communion wine is
Boone's Farm "Tickled Pink".


You Know You're in a Redneck Church if ...
"Thou shall not covet"
applies to huntin' dogs, too.


You know You're in a Redneck Church if ...
the final words of the
benediction are, "Y'all come back now, Ya
hear."