Mountains in spring, breath
clean oxygen. Listen: in
the spruce, loving birds.
I’ve been working with my students on form poems, including haiku. Thus, I attempt to describe a recent hike with a combination of haiku, photos and text. Indulge me.
Taking a break on the trail up North Doublehead. The wide trail was built by the Saco Conservation Corps in 1934 as a backcountry ski trail, and makes for a great short hike in spring, summer and fall, about two miles to the summit.
Beckoning trails lead
to destinations but feel
like mystery paths.
The Ski Trail never gets very steep, and I’ve almost convinced myself that I could ski it next winter, in perfect conditions. But I’m sure it gets bumped up with ditches and mogul from avid backcountry skiers.
Long ago, young men
dripped sweat, hauling rocks and logs
to build a cabin.
The cabin on North Doublehead, popular with winter skiers and youth groups, is locked but can be reserved through the Forest Service. We discovered some lunch rocks with a great view of snow-covered Mount Washington.
The cabin was built by the CCC during the Depression and has been renovated several times, but still maintains many old features, like the stone foundation and chimney covered with a slab of rock. The cabin includes two small bunk rooms and a small community area with a wood stove.
On the ridge, young trees
erase old scars, wilding land
buzzing saws stripped bare.
Doublehead offers several looping options. At this junction, we had to decide whether to continue on for a longer hike to South Doublehead, and then double-back (or descend from South D. on another trail that exited about a half-mile from the car). We opted to wait on South Doublehead for another day. This turned out to a good decision as the route down the Old Path was steep and icy, and required care and our full attention, even with micro spikes.
Mountains in spring: two
worlds, the barren forest plus
forgotten winter.
After stepping down the sometimes treacherous “Old Path” trail, we stepped into spring on the lower half of the mountain. The Old Path is fine for experienced hikers but I do not recommend taking children on this piece of the journey in spring. Out and back on the Ski Trail is the easiest route.
From the back porch, spring
sunsets on distant mountains
until trees unfurl.
At the day’s end, a view through the trees to the mountains and the sunset.
Note:
As of Friday, April 24, the White Mountain National Forest closed down many popular trailheads to try to spread out hikers prevent the spread of coronavirus, but many lesser-known trails remain open. I feel grateful that I’ve been able to do some hiking this spring. The adventure described here met the guidelines for New Hampshire’s stay-at-home order.
Sources and resources
“Doublehead Mountain, CCC Ski Trails, New Hampshire.” NewEnglandSkiHistory.com
From the back porch, spring
sunsets on distant mountains
until trees unfurl.
Perfectly said
Like the photo too.
I am there in my head.
Thanks for the kind words!
Hi Dianne,
Great post. I feel lucky to live in Maine and to be able to get outdoors so much. This isolation has me thinking about all the people I’ve been reconnecting with, so after reading your post I wrote this haiku:
Acquaintances from
A time when I looked forward
Connect and glance back
I love your ‘talk-back’ haiku!
Very interesting, do you ever encounter snakes on those trails? I enjoy reading about all your adventures, thank you.
Very rare to see a snake on a mountain trail, which are often shady and gets lots of winter snow. But I was recently wandering on a rock pile in an old quarry in North Conway and it did cross my mind that there might be rattlesnakes living in the rocks. I know they are still found in some parts of Maine.