Snow Mountain, August 2, 2009

Name of trail: I don't know!
Roundtrip mileage: a little over a mile

We (legally) shared the mountain-bike path that goes up this little mountain in Waterville Valley. It's a moderately steep climb, but before you know it you're there, so it doesn't feel all that bad (even to those with very short legs).

Here we are, at the bottom of the mountain. The chairlifts bring up mountain bikes and their owners, and also folks who just feel like taking a ride.



This trail has a few initial steep pitches, then it flattens out a bit. One walks on a thin rail of packed dirt surrounded by ankle-high grass much of the way.

It's a scenic trek, and a nice change from walking through the forest.

Sage was in great spirits as she bounded up the trail.



There were plenty of puurty flowers to behold.



At the top of the first steep bit, Sage asked if I would take a picture of the view behind us.



We continued onward, pausing briefly so that Sage could take this picture of an interesting log. She examined the hole in its center, and declared it a fit home for snakes and bugs.



The upper portion of the trail is relatively flat, as most of the (minor) elevation gain occurs at very beginning of the hike.





Looking back at Tecumseh...



We ascended the final hill and saw the chairlift building in the distance.



Then we were there! It took us about 40 minutes to walk up this half-mile-plus. Since the beginning was fairly steep, I think my 4 year old did very well.

Views from the summit:





Sage sat on a rock to rest. She was in great spirits today.



After some ceremonial noshing, we started to head back down. Ten feet later, Sage stopped so she could move this rock from one place to another. For some reason, this was very important to her. She took it very seriously. Once the rock was in its proper place, we continued onward.



Her descent style consisted of a steady jog.



She paused only once, to hand me the orange wrap from her head. Then she continued onward, running down the slope.



We made it down in short order. Sage was feelin' fine.



It was a great hike. We celebrated it by riding the chairlift up and down, then we walked along the trails by the Waterville Valley Village Center.

Sage is a fantastic girl, and I'm glad my husband and I are now switching off with our kids each weekend. It's nice to be able to spend one-on-one time with Alex, then Sage, then Alex, then Sage, etc.