Every year when the leaves change I get the urge to see them from above, believing that somehow the colors will be better up there, but so far seeing fall color from above hasn’t really proven worth the climb. Still, I keep trying and last weekend I chose Pitcher Mountain in Stoddard because of its 360 degree views. There is a fire tower on the summit so the trail is actually an access road, which is wide but also steep and rocky near the summit.
Many of the trees along the old road had already lost their leaves and they crackled under foot. I wish you could experience the smell of walking through thousands of dried leaves. It’s an earthy, burnt marshmallow type of smell that is impossible for me to accurately describe but once you’ve smelled it you never forget it. It always takes me back to my boyhood.
Powdery mildew on some of the oak leaves told climbers the story of how warm and humid it has been recently and reminded them how glad they should be that it wasn’t humid on this day. I for one was very happy that it wasn’t.
The old stone walls along the access road reminded me of the Pitcher family who settled here on the mountain in the 1700s and farmed it. At one time much of the mountain had most likely been cleared for sheep pasture, which was very common in those days.
The rock pilers had been here but this time they used rocks small enough so I could have hidden this pile behind my hand. What they get out of doing this, other than cluttering up the landscape and spoiling the views, I’ll never understand. I refuse to call them cairns because cairns are useful things that help travelers along their way, but these piles of stone are of no use at all.
I can’t say how many times I’ve made this climb and failed to see the Scottish highland cattle that I know live here but this time there they were. I watched them for a while but when number 10 noticed me and started acting interested I thought of the old saying “be careful what you wish for” because all that separated us was a flimsy little electrified fence that I wasn’t sure was even turned on. Luckily the hairy beast was more interested in its stomach than me and it went back to munching grass. It wasn’t until I saw the photo that I realized how cute it was. Kind of cuddly, for a cow.
The highland cattle were very close to one of my favorite places and might have wandered over this ridge. I like this spot because after living in a forest for so long it seems vast and infinite, and void of distractions. It’s just the earth the sky and you and, for a while, blissful emptiness.
Once I had pulled myself away from the edge of infinity and started climbing again a monarch butterfly came flying hurriedly down the mountain and almost flew right into my face. It was in such a hurry that I never did get a photo of it, but it was nice to see it just the same.
As you near the summit big old mountain ash trees (Sorbus americana) appear along the trail. This is the only place I’ve ever seen these native trees in their natural habitat. I’ve seen lots of others but they have all been used as ornamentals.
My favorite thing about mountain ash trees are their big purple-black buds.
The Pitcher family or a subsequent land owner must have had an apple orchard up here because as you near the summit there are also quite a few apple trees in the area. They still bear abundant fruit as the one in the above photo shows. The bears, deer and other apple eaters must be very happy.
I was going to take a rest on the porch of the old ranger cabin but hornets swarmed all around it. The unattended building must be full of them. I wouldn’t want to be the one chosen to find out.
I call the old fire tower, built to replace the original 1915 wooden tower that burned in 1940, a monument to irony. The Stoddard-Marlow fire that took it was the biggest fire in this region’s history, destroying 27,000 acres of forest, including the tower and all of the trees on the summit. It left the summit with an unbroken 360 degree view which is very popular with hikers of all ages. When the fire tower is manned climbers can go up for a look and I’ve seen many families do so.
Many ferns become very colorful before they go to sleep for the winter. I liked the orange / brown of these marginal wood ferns (Dryopteris marginalis.) Marginal wood fern gets its name from the way its spore cases (sori) grow on the leaf margins.
The view wasn’t really hazy but the light had a warm feel and the colors were also on the warm side of the wheel. We’re well on our way to the warmest October since records have been kept, so this was no surprise.
The summit was full of people, and that was a surprise. The Monadnock-Sunapee Greenway trail passes over the summit and hikers often stop to rest here, but I’ve never seen so many at one time. I made my way around them and the fire tower to my favorite view of what I call the near hill. As I stood looking out over the landscape I couldn’t help but hear a conversation which was dominated by a woman lamenting the fact that she had never been “in the moment” and had no idea how to be. She went on to list those times she thought she had been close, but hadn’t quite made it. My thoughts about it were kept to myself because I don’t know much about the subject but if I had to guess I’d say that to be “in the moment” you would have to stop talking, especially about what has happened in the past, and just sit and enjoy the incredible beauty before you. Stop talking and worrying about being in the moment and just be right here, right now. It sounds very simple to me.
Color wise the views weren’t quite as spectacular as they were last year but the foreground colors were good. The shrubs are mostly blueberries and dogwoods and the trees are mixed hardwoods and evergreens. Pitcher Mountain is famous for its blueberries and many people come here to pick them. What I’d guess is that many who pick the fruit don’t realize how beautiful the bushes are in the fall.
Another look at the summit colors.
I was able to see the windmills on Bean Mountain over in Lempster. I discovered recently that I’ve been calling this mountain by the wrong name for years, because when I first read about the windmill farm I thought the text said it was on Bear Mountain. I think it looks more like a reclining bear than a bean, but maybe a family named Bean settled there. Or something.
I loved the deep purple of these blackberry leaves. I wouldn’t want to see a whole forest that color but it’s very pretty dotted here and there in the landscape. Virgin’s bower, blueberries, bittersweet nightshade and quite a few other plants turn deep purple in the fall. I’ve read that the first photosynthetic organisms were purple because they relied on photosynthetic chemicals that absorbed different wavelengths of light. A green plant only appears green because it doesn’t absorb the sun’s green light. Instead it reflects it back at us, so I’m guessing that purple must work the same way.
I always thought of these natural water catching basins that appear here and there in the granite bedrock as birdbaths, and then last year I saw a bird using one for just that purpose. I like the way they catch the blue of the sky and darken it a shade or two. There always seems to be water in them, even during the drought we had last year.
I couldn’t make a climb on any hill or mountain without taking a look at the lichens. There are several species up here but the common yellow goldspeck lichen (Candelariella vitellina) pictured was the most prevalent. It is on the rocks all over the summit. This crustose lichen is very easy to find and will almost always be found growing on stone. I also see it on headstones in cemeteries quite often. Crustose lichens form crusts that tightly adhere to the substrate that they grow on and usually can’t be removed without damaging it.
With one last look out over the vast forest I started the climb down. It’s almost always harder on the way down than on the way up, and this trip was no different. I don’t know if the trail is getting steeper or if I’m just getting older.
We don’t stop hiking because we grow old-we grow old because we stop hiking. ~Finis Mitchell
Thanks for stopping in.
What you say (thought) about that woman and “being in the moment” is spot on. (IMHO.:) ) It is extremely unlikely that I have ever met her, or will be in the tuture but I have come across of plenty who may be distant cousins of hers.
It’s kind of funny / strange that someone can completely miss something that seems so obvious, but I;d bet it happens a lot!
Presidentially for example?
Yes, that too!
Unfortunately. 😦
I enjoyed the climb you took us on, it looks wonderful. Who needs to talk about being in the moment when you are looking at that view! I agree it is always harder walking down the mountain…I don’t remember that being a problem when I was younger…
Thank you. Apparently everyone wants to be in the moment these days but they don’t seem to stop talking about it long enough to actually do it. I would think the view from the summit would do it for them, but maybe not. It always does it for me.
I remember when I could run down these hills but those days are over, I think. You see a lot more when you walk anyway.
I agree, the advantage of getting old, you get to see a lot more..
Yes!
Many ferns really do have wonderful fall color. My Lady Ferns and Ostrich ferns, though – not so much.
You should get some cinnamon ferns. You couldn’t ask for an easier plant to grow and their fall color is outstanding.
I too, enjoyed reading about the ‘in the moment’ woman! I also love the smell of autumn – almost indescribable but instantly recognizable to the nose!
Thank you Clare. As I just said to Jerry, I think that woman needs to spend some time hiking alone. But even then I see people looking at their phones instead of where they are.
Yes, it’s hard to mistake that smell for anything else, and it’s everywhere right now. It always reminds me of walking through the leaves to school when I was young.
Living ‘in the moment’ appears to be in vogue but I am sure many people haven’t the faintest idea how to go about it. There is always so much talking going on! My anxious younger daughter has at last discovered the pleasure of becoming immersed in her art. The classes she is attending at present are a real pleasure to her and she has been able to relax and enjoy her drawing and painting.
I’m glad to hear that, Clare. Hopefully she’ll find it easier and easier to “lose herself” in her work. It’s something I’ve been doing for years without ever trying or even caring, but it’s a great place to be. And it is very relaxing and refreshing too.
I agree. I don’t see how you can spend any time with yourself if you’re always talking to someone else. It all seems so easy to me but we humans are great at making simple things difficult! I think that’s what that woman on the summit had done-she just tried too hard.
The views of the fall colors were spectacular, in every sense of the word! I also enjoyed all the other things that you saw on this trip, particularly the Scottish Highland bull. It looks like an oversized stuffed animal, but I don’t think that it has the same personality as one. 😉
The story about the woman who has never been in the moment reminds me of why I avoid people while I’m out in the woods whenever I can. Some people just don’t have a clue, and I’d rather not be reminded of just how many of them that there are.
Thanks Jerry! No, the cattle looked cuddly but I’ll leave the cuddling to the farmer. I’ve never been too good about socializing with animals big enough to squash me.
I think the woman needs to spend more time just hiking alone. The worst part of that whole thing was that she was talking so loudly that nobody else could be “in the moment” either. It’s nice when you’re the only one up there!
Thank you for sharing your pictures and anecdotes, they are a pleasure.
You’re welcome Jane, and thank you.
As always, thank you for your wonderful postings. Pam West
Sent from my iPhone
>
You’re welcome Pam, and thank you!
A really great post, Allen. I love the quote. On Wednesday I hiked Bald Mountain in Antrim with a few friends. The colors were lovely and Willard Pond was delightful. It really is warm this October. I just harvested a lot of broccoli from my garden, the zucchini is still going strong, and petunias and violets are flowering again!
Thank you Paula. I hope the oaks and beeches are going to be peaking when I get to Willard Pond next weekend. For the last two years I’ve gone on Halloween weekend and it has been unbelievable. Easily one of the most beautiful places I’ve seen in the fall.
I just got home from a friend’s house where they were still picking green peppers! What a crazy October!
I ma glad that you saw the Highland cow. The sight of one of them brightens anyone’s day in my view. I very much enjoyed your anecdote about the lady failing to be in the moment. Silence is golden.
Thank you. That was the cutest cow I’ve ever seen. I had one step on my foot once when I was a boy so cows and I have always had a strange relationship, but I wanted to pet that one.
Yes, if that poor woman looked up “being in the moment” like I did she’d probably find it a very easy thing to accomplish. Maybe she should hike alone once or twice.
Wonderful, wonderful pictures of a splendid view. And all the rest as well. I did have a chuckle over “being in the moment.” You’re right. It’s easy. Look “at” instead of “for”. And thank you for allowing me to look at so many lovely things. I have to admit though that I look for your posts.
Thanks very much Carol. It was a great day all around. As I said to Lee below, I looked up what being in the moment was all about and found that I get there without even trying, so it must be extremely easy. That poor woman!
Those views are really beautiful with all that color! I loved that picture of the cow. I’ve never seen that breed, but I bet it isn’t hostile. Not far from here there is a ranch that raises a few yaks, and I’ve heard that they aren’t too friendly, and another one that raises long horns and they seem to be.
Thanks Montucky! We still have quite a bit of color and the beech and oak trees still have to turn.
I didn’t think any of those shots of the cows would come out but I was glad that one did. If a cow could be cute, this one is it!
I’ve never seen a yak or a longhorn and it’s probably just as well. Animals that big make me wary of getting too close.
You nailed “being in the moment” … you get there by emptying the mind and “becoming” where you are.
Thank you Lee. I looked up what it meant when I got home and found that I’m pretty much “in the moment” whenever I’m outside in nature. I lose myself all the time.
I love your walks and the words at the end are so relevant today….use it or lose it….keep up your lovely walks they are inspirational…Sue
Thank you Sue. I don’t have any plans to give up walking right away. I’m trying to stay as young as possible!
Wonderful autumn views, I loved the horned beast and the purple of those blackberry leaves. Thanks for doing the climb to show us the beauty of your landscape.
You’re welcome, and thank you Susan. It was a pleasure.