The Hikers
New member
Well, I hate to start a report with a title like that, but that darned N.H. Sate Bird, the Blackfly, really got to us yesterday .(May 24, 2010). We started off about 8 :15 up the Rattle River Trail, which is also the AT, from Shelburne, headed for the Kenduseag Trail and Shelburne Moriah Mountain. We had read of the fantastic views from this one, and views are high in our priority list.
The Rattle River Trail is beautiful, following the Rattle River all the way to its headwater, with many falls and clear pools. We arrived at the Rattle River Shelter after 1.7 miles of easy almost level going. From here, however the trail became a little more difficult with frequent blowdowns and finally increasing in steepness for the last mile or so before the Trail Junction with the Kenduskeag. In the lower part of the trail, mosquitos were the fairly active. Joyce applied repellent liberally, and I managed without. As we gained altitude the mosquitos disappeared, and at 3000 ft. we started to see snow in the trail.
Another Kitten Lost....
At the junction we looked Right at the AT which had a nice boardwalk leading off toward Middle Moriah
Looking left on OUR trail, however, was mud and mud.. Off we went, finding stretches of mud, boardwalk, and monorail.
The Kenduskeag opens up as it reaches the mountain, but gives the unknowing Hiker many false thoughts of reaching the summit long before the REAL summit is reached.
The summit really is spectacular with views all around, especially of the Moriah's, and Imp, close by.
The Town of Gorham down below
But here is where the Black Flies ganged up on us, and they would not be discouraged by bug dope. They swarmed us, and even the noise of them was overwhelming. So we were disappointed to leave the summit early,but there was no way to enjoy lunch,or picture taking under the circumstances.
They were bearable while we moved, and we lost them to trade once again for mosquitos on the way down.
We both agreed this would be a wonderful hike to take again in the Fall with no bugs and less heat.
We stopped on the way home for food at our favorite Mexican Place. Then , cruising down the Spaulding near Wakefield a deer crossed at full speed,trying to make it in front of us. The result was not a good one for my car, and worse for the deer.Cars stopped to comfort us, and make sure evryone was O.K. which, thank God, they were. We got home OK with one headlight and mangled up fender and hood.
The Rattle River Trail is beautiful, following the Rattle River all the way to its headwater, with many falls and clear pools. We arrived at the Rattle River Shelter after 1.7 miles of easy almost level going. From here, however the trail became a little more difficult with frequent blowdowns and finally increasing in steepness for the last mile or so before the Trail Junction with the Kenduskeag. In the lower part of the trail, mosquitos were the fairly active. Joyce applied repellent liberally, and I managed without. As we gained altitude the mosquitos disappeared, and at 3000 ft. we started to see snow in the trail.
Another Kitten Lost....
At the junction we looked Right at the AT which had a nice boardwalk leading off toward Middle Moriah
Looking left on OUR trail, however, was mud and mud.. Off we went, finding stretches of mud, boardwalk, and monorail.
The Kenduskeag opens up as it reaches the mountain, but gives the unknowing Hiker many false thoughts of reaching the summit long before the REAL summit is reached.
The summit really is spectacular with views all around, especially of the Moriah's, and Imp, close by.
The Town of Gorham down below
But here is where the Black Flies ganged up on us, and they would not be discouraged by bug dope. They swarmed us, and even the noise of them was overwhelming. So we were disappointed to leave the summit early,but there was no way to enjoy lunch,or picture taking under the circumstances.
They were bearable while we moved, and we lost them to trade once again for mosquitos on the way down.
We both agreed this would be a wonderful hike to take again in the Fall with no bugs and less heat.
We stopped on the way home for food at our favorite Mexican Place. Then , cruising down the Spaulding near Wakefield a deer crossed at full speed,trying to make it in front of us. The result was not a good one for my car, and worse for the deer.Cars stopped to comfort us, and make sure evryone was O.K. which, thank God, they were. We got home OK with one headlight and mangled up fender and hood.
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