Jazzbo
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- Jan 1, 2005
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Begin playing the Gilligan’s Island theme song …. “A 3 hour tour………” This was my first visit to Pawtuckaway. One aspect that drew me to this area was the fact that mountains are remains of a heavily eroded volcanic stock commonly referred to as a ring dike. The north and south mountains exhibit a strong circular shape when viewed on a topographic map.
http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&q=pawtuckaway%20state%20park&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wl
I was pleased to observe the same rock types I observed in the Ossippee’s and managed to get some pretty good photos of typical rocks.
Some interesting inclusions in the parent rocks
The area is very interesting and definitely merits a return trip. I saw some early wild flowers. Here is nice shot of Sharp Lobed Hepatica.
Only problem was it was supposed to be short afternoon hike. My late day arrival and the reservation being much bigger than I expected was a problem. I only got under way at 2:40PM. I might have saved a lot of time if I knew in advance that the mountains are 2 miles from park headquarters. I ended up hiking a big lollipop loop that included a wrong turn that took me down to Round Pond resulting in big drop in elevation requiring me to hike back up to higher elevation. Nevertheless the pond was very pretty and pristine. I spotted some nice ducks on the pond. I wished I had my binoculars with me. I had very nice views from North Mountain. However picture taking was limited by late day arrival at summit ridge and increasing cloud cover.
I descended by impressive granite cliffs in diminishing light
to an area called Boulder Field that certainly did have a lot of humongous boulders that apparently calved off the impressive cliffs on 1011’ elevation North Mountain.
This is an enchanting area well worth coming to on a sunny day. Greyhound bus sized boulders are common and arranged in fascinating jumble all set off by peaceful colors of a gorgeous mature forest of hemlock and pine. Once again rugged terrain makes an area difficult to log and serves to protect the big trees.
It was just about dark when I made it to junction #6 at the base of South Mountain. It was completely dark for the last 2 miles or so down Mountain Trail back to headquarters parking lot. I was treated to full volume peepers and some owls calling out in their spooky way. It was 8:40 when I returned to the car making for a 6 hour hike. Topo software indicates this was 11 mile RT and 1900+ elevation gain hike.
The trail on North Mountain has lots of ice storm damage amenable to bow saws on account of stunted trees that inhabit the ridge. The trails on west end of North Mountain have more extensive ice storm damage. The boulder field area has more serious ice storm damage requiring chainsaws to fix. With bigger trees comes bigger blow downs. Ice storm damage results in lot of foliage deposited on trails which is screwing up drainage of some trails.
The number 12 sign on Reservation Road appears to be missing causing me to miss turn for trail leading up east end of the North Mountain. I hiked up to height of land before I figured I needed to retrace steps back to turn off where I came across some remarkable stone foundations for what must have been a barn at one time.
Look at this workmanship.
There are some cemeteries indicating this was once farm country.
http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&q=pawtuckaway%20state%20park&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wl
I was pleased to observe the same rock types I observed in the Ossippee’s and managed to get some pretty good photos of typical rocks.
Some interesting inclusions in the parent rocks
The area is very interesting and definitely merits a return trip. I saw some early wild flowers. Here is nice shot of Sharp Lobed Hepatica.
Only problem was it was supposed to be short afternoon hike. My late day arrival and the reservation being much bigger than I expected was a problem. I only got under way at 2:40PM. I might have saved a lot of time if I knew in advance that the mountains are 2 miles from park headquarters. I ended up hiking a big lollipop loop that included a wrong turn that took me down to Round Pond resulting in big drop in elevation requiring me to hike back up to higher elevation. Nevertheless the pond was very pretty and pristine. I spotted some nice ducks on the pond. I wished I had my binoculars with me. I had very nice views from North Mountain. However picture taking was limited by late day arrival at summit ridge and increasing cloud cover.
I descended by impressive granite cliffs in diminishing light
to an area called Boulder Field that certainly did have a lot of humongous boulders that apparently calved off the impressive cliffs on 1011’ elevation North Mountain.
This is an enchanting area well worth coming to on a sunny day. Greyhound bus sized boulders are common and arranged in fascinating jumble all set off by peaceful colors of a gorgeous mature forest of hemlock and pine. Once again rugged terrain makes an area difficult to log and serves to protect the big trees.
It was just about dark when I made it to junction #6 at the base of South Mountain. It was completely dark for the last 2 miles or so down Mountain Trail back to headquarters parking lot. I was treated to full volume peepers and some owls calling out in their spooky way. It was 8:40 when I returned to the car making for a 6 hour hike. Topo software indicates this was 11 mile RT and 1900+ elevation gain hike.
The trail on North Mountain has lots of ice storm damage amenable to bow saws on account of stunted trees that inhabit the ridge. The trails on west end of North Mountain have more extensive ice storm damage. The boulder field area has more serious ice storm damage requiring chainsaws to fix. With bigger trees comes bigger blow downs. Ice storm damage results in lot of foliage deposited on trails which is screwing up drainage of some trails.
The number 12 sign on Reservation Road appears to be missing causing me to miss turn for trail leading up east end of the North Mountain. I hiked up to height of land before I figured I needed to retrace steps back to turn off where I came across some remarkable stone foundations for what must have been a barn at one time.
Look at this workmanship.
There are some cemeteries indicating this was once farm country.
