Moat Mtn. Range/Big Daddy lives!

[forestgnome]

I hiked the MMT from Passaconaway Rd. to North Moat summit and back across this beautiful ridge, a wonderful trail on such a nice day. There is no snow at all, and hikers who came up from the north end reported snow-free trails as well. There are many blowdowns b/w Middle and North, but all passable enough.

I saw two young bulls on my way to the trailhead on the Kancamagus. They didn't hang around and I wasn't in the mood to track because I had a long hike ahead of me and perfect weather.

The rhodora is close to fully bloomed, and there is tons of it on South and Middle. This hummingbird moth was in the same patch where I saw one last spring.

The trail from South to Middle is nice open hiking with beautiful views. B/w Middle and North there is thick, huge spruce. There are a few patches of trailing arbutus ( I think ) along the trail.

I was the first hiker of the day through this stretch as evidenced by all the spider webs I had to savage or duck.

I'm trying to learn all the birds that live in the forest, and recognize them by sound. There were a few songbirds along this stretch that were quite vocal. I think I heard Swainson's Thrush.

I think this is a Magnolia Warbler...

Black-throated Blue Warbler?

The view from North Moat summit is unmatched in the White Mtns., IMO

continued...

 

[forestgnome]

This snake was much freindlier than the cranky one I saw last week.

Just blooming or soon to bloom is canada mayflower, twisted rose stalk, alpine azalea, and lady's slipper.

I also saw this Yellow-bellied Flycatcher (?)

and this flowering shrub

It was a fantastic hike on a gorgeous day. I soaked my feet for a while in the Swift River and took a nice nap until it was near dusk. Then I went for a moose cruise on the Kancamagus. I saw a yearling moose cross the road and also saw two large black bears ramble across the road. Wow, do they disappear fast! They're big and healthy-looking. It was really dark on my way out but I finally saw a moose I call "Big Daddy". I've seen him for five springs in a row now. I was worried that he was killed in the hunt. He's lost a little weight but he'll put it back on now and then some. I was able to sit down and watch him drink and browse from about ten feet away. Big Daddy lives!

happy trails

 

[Sasquatch]

Great report and pics. We were enjoying the same hike yesterday but my son was not feeling great and we bailed at middle.Still a beautiful day on a great ridge. It blows my wife's mind how you are able to get so many great moose pics. Any tips?