RECIPROCAL NATURE PROMPT
Time To Go Back to the Mountains Again
On and around the Kancamagus Highway in the White Mountain National Forest New Hampshire USA
The story always changes as we climb
The last time Dr. Preeti Singh asked us to write about the majesty of the mountains, I was not feeling well and I wasn’t able to get up to the mountains, so I wrote about a previous auto trip. I enjoyed writing that story but this time I thought I better get up there.
The Kancamagus is only at 2855 ft. elevation at its highest point. High enough to enjoy the view.
I’m still recovering from an injury so I know I can’t hike any difficult terrain. I could use some fresh mountain air and the beautiful views.
So I asked my wife if we could take a quick trip to the White Mountains to feel its healing power and to take some photos for Dr. Preeti Singh’s, Reciprocal Nature prompt, “The Beauty of the Majestic Mountains”.
So on this Halloween afternoon we drove a couple hours north to a higher elevation.
We were staying overnight at the eastern end of the Kancamangus in North Conway, New Hampshire and took a ride west on the scenic byway to enjoy some early evening views on an unseasonably warm late October night. There are many places to stop on the scenic byway and admire the scenery. I have been coming here and walking these trails my whole life. We don’t want to get stuck out there. There is no cell phone service and you probably won’t be rescued before the morning.
I know this from experience. Be prepared.
This is a perfect time to be in the mountains
without the many tourist crowds. After the summer vacationers, come the leaf peepers looking for bright foliage. A month ago these visitors equaled the population of our small state. In a couple of months, come the crowds looking to ski or snowboard.
Most of the brilliant colored leaves have fallen leaving a clear view.
Kancamangus (The fearless one), was the last leader of the Pennacook confederacy. The confederacy consisted of 17 tribes throughout central New England that peacefully coexisted while ruled by Kancamangus’ grandfather Chief Passaconaway (Child of Bear).
Kancamagus did his best to maintain peace with the european settlers. That didn’t end well for those who mostly peacably maintained this beautiful land for thousands of years.
Young stands of maple still hold some brilliant color.
On this very warm first day of November we woke to enjoy the many stops along this thirty four and a half mile ride on NH RT112 west from Conway to Lincoln, New Hampshire. The Kancamagus highway cuts from east to west and back again through the middle of the 800,000 acre White Mountain National Forest.
This area was settled by Europeans around 1790.
They barely survived, farming in poor rocky soil and logging these magnificent forests.
They did build this still standing covered bridge using hand powered labor and locally sourced lumber and granite. With no engineers available for guidance, the width and height of the bridge were determined by the size of a fully loaded horse drawn hay wagon.
Humans are still making a mark on this land with trails, walkways and pavilions.
We are doing a better job of walking softly in these mountains. We need to look to those that came before us and leave something for those who are yet to be born.
Sabbaday Falls is a beautiful waterfall located at about the halfway point on the highway.
It is reached by a short .3 mile walk from the highway, handicap accessible with wide trails, well built bridges and safe platforms for viewing.
The power of water rushing down a mountain is awe inspiring.
The falls were carved in the last 10,000 years from the rocky silt filled glacial melt during the warming after the last ice age. Twelve to 14,000 years ago this entire mountain range was covered in ice sheets up to a mile deep.
We were so lucky to be here on such a warm pleasant day with so few people.
These mountain landscapes have always entranced us.
A beautiful view at every turn.
The sound of water tumbling over smooth stones is so calming.
We were spending the afternoon at Otter rocks on this very relaxing warm day. We sat listening to the gurgling water and watching the ocean of clouds forming overhead.
Suddenly, across these beautiful mountains came the roar of military jets echoing a ferocious sound through the valley. Quickly waking to the outside world, we packed it up and headed home.
Sadly the drums of war never cease.
We have only been away from home, electronics, the telephone and Medium for a little more than a day and it was long enough for the mountains to take a small weight off of both of us.
In a couple of hours we will be home and remembering fondly our trip to these majestic mountains.
Returning through the bare tree trunks of autumn to lower land.
Written in response to the Dr. Preeti Singh’s Reciprocal Nature prompt for the first week of November, ‘The Beauty of the Majestic Mountains.’
Anybody who would like to participate in this or another Reciprocal prompt can find the information needed below…
Please read Margie Willis remembrance of mountain hikes past…
and please read Walter Pop Matthews IV and find a river…
Thank you, Reciprocal, and its always supportive editors, Sahil Patel, Yana Bostongirl and Dr. Preeti Singh, for all the continuing support you give to the writers of this fine publication.