Sometimes you have to prioritize what is important in life. I started back to work part-time a couple years ago and between that and my responsibilities as Mum, I have not been able to get out hiking very much at all. I miss it dreadfully, but would not change my situation in life at all. Memorial Day rolled around and as it happened, it was one of the few days this year we had nothing planned. I packed up my eldest son and we headed off. Having lost a great deal of fitness from my previous hiking adventures, I knew I couldn't jump straight back into anything too arduous. I looked for something that would check off a peak on one of the many lists I am working on, provide some nice views yet not kill me in the process. Mt Pemigewasset seemed to fit that bill. We did an out and back on the Mt Pemigewasset Trail which begins/ends in the parking lot of the Flume Gorge Park in Lincoln, NH. A few hundred yards up the paved bike trail and the trail heads off to the left. The trail initially winds relatively easily and through several tunnels popping you out on the other side of Interstate 93. A moderate climb up to some sheer rock slabs provides some stunning views on a clear day. The true summit is a little ways past the main viewing area. Continue on the trail following the blazes until you get to a turnaround with little to no view. Be very careful on the ledges where the main viewpoint is as they drop right off to nothing. I would imagine in the wet this is quite daunting. These types of scenarios make me very nervous, for myself and for those around me. Even if I don't know you at all, I will feel nervous that someone will try a silly move and something catastrophic will occur. Therefore, we didn't linger too long on this summit. This is a busy mountain due to its proximity to several tourist areas. I was actually amazed at the number of people we passed on our way down, several of which did not seem prepared for the hike at all in regards to clothing, footwear, water.. etc.. we even passed a family with a baby (Mum carrying a diaper bag), toddler, and what appeared to be grandparents.. the women wearing long skirts, loafer shoes and pulling along an umbrella stroller. They were a fair way in as well, I couldn't imagine how they would last the entire hike. Anyway, a lovely day back on the trails and even more important to me, some one on one time with my "growing too fast" son.
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