I just spent a few days roaming around Northern New Hampshire, where peak foliage has arrived right on time. The weather was gorgeous for just about the whole weekend, which made the hikes and drives extremely enjoyable, even though the light didn’t always go as planned.

Last night provided the best light and my best series of images. I hiked up Mount Prospect in Weeks State Park for sunset, and was treated to great light on the surrounding mountains.

I took off up the auto road at about 5PM for a 6:30 sunset. The road is gated late afternoon, but it’s an easy walk on easy grades. Given the perfect weather, I was surprised to have the place to myself…that was until a moose crashed out of the woods about 25 yards from me. It was a young bull, and it was staring me down. Now, it may look and sound crazy, but in these situations, I find it best to talk to the moose. So I did…and the tension decreased. And he started up the road. So I followed. For about a half a mile we had a chat as we walked, until a family coming down spooked it off into the woods.

Taking a walk with my new friend...

By this point the light was changing, so I switched focus to the sunset. The view from the east outlook is tremendous…from the Kilkenny, centered on the Presis, over to the Pemi. And all of it began to glow as the low light accentuated the autumn colors.

The East Overlook - Weeks State Park

Right before the light dipped behind some clouds right on the horizon the light was most intense. The Kilkenny Ridge, a by day a mottled sea of hardwoods in various autumn colors was ablaze in bright red. Mount Washington, a bit further distant had a bit more blue haze, and the lowlands were dotted with wetlands, softwoods, villages and color. A beautiful scene!

Intense Autumn Light and Color - Weeks State Park

Plenty more pictures to share…time will limit updates through October…

Sneaking out of an AMC hut is a bit science, a bit art, and still not the least silent. The hut is creaky, and through hikers sleep in the main dining area right next to the door. Outside thought, the world was silent, the wind had died overnight as Orion rose over the silhouette of the mountain I had to finish climbing. One false summit had me doubting myself in the race with the sun, but I arrived as an orange predawn glow was back-lighting Mount Washington to the east.

Predawn Glow Behind Mount Washington

As the sun rose, the ridge line to the south acted as a division of color between the warmth of the sunlight and the cool blues in the shadow. To the north fog filled the valleys…though none filled the Pemigewasset Wilderness spread out before me as I had hoped. Reason to return, but not to tarnish the moments of spectacular beauty as I watched the shadows retreat in the valleys.

Alpenglow on the Franconia Ridge, Looking South

Back at the hut for breakfast, I was greeted by eager hikers and hearty smells, and went back to work in the kitchen while the guests ate. I could continue on and on about how much I always enjoy my experience in the huts with the croo, but a last morning shot, through the coffee steam, should replace the words.  A fantastic morning!

Godrays in Greenleaf

Sunrise Pano From Percival

Heat and especially humidity are the bane of ME!

Both of which we’ve had way to much of in the past few weeks, and has limited my shooting.

I looked around my portfolio at the beginning of summer, and realized I didn’t have many traditional summer shots. This trend continues, as I just don’t find summer traditionally photogenic. Lots of green and blue to be found. An occasional stunner of a sunset, or a double rainbow can improve the viewscape, but beyond that…I struggle.

Fortunately, with a break in the heat and humidity forecast, a friend and I took off up Mount Morgan and Percival late yesterday afternoon for an overnight. My hope was that with the cool weather, a fall like pattern would develop, with mist over the lake below at dawn. And, with the passage of the front, I dreamed of rainbows as well. The former fortunately played out.

The hike up was wretched. It was an easy hike, but in drenching humidity and no wind and full overnight gear, we were in rough shape. By the time we got to Percival, we abandoned plans to go over to Doublehead, and settled in for the night.

Showers surrounded us during the frontal passage, but no light accompanied it. It’s still neat though to see the showers falling in defined streaks in the distance. Then it poured on us for about 20 minutes, and…it was dark.

Rain Shower over Squam Lake

From under my bivy during the overnight, I watched the stars come out, and the lights below disappear. Morning found us an island in the sky at a mere 2200 feet. What a view!

Island in the Sky From Percival

Mist from the Ridges on Mount Percival

Hopefully we keep some nice weather around, and updates won’t be so spread out!

Oh…and a larger view of the first image can be seen here: