Date: 2018-11-04
From: NH route 25A

To: Lyme-Dorchester Road
Miles today: 14.1
Weather: clear sky

I arrived at my starting point about 7:20 this morning. Seylor was raring to go! Papa Big Swig walked in a little ways with our other dog Gypsy Rose. After Gypsy did her business Papa Big Swig turned back as Seylor and I continued southbound. There was a little creek crossing early on. I hiked beside that creek a long while. There were several small waterfalls. I find the sound of rushing water to be so soothing and energizing at the same time.Every new season on the trail brings new beauty, and new challenges. I love the fallen leaves, but they sure make it hard to see the trail! I double checked my location several times today. Shortly after the creek crossing seylor and I started UP. It was a slow steady incline 3.5 miles up Mount Cube at 2909ft elevation.  On the way up I crossed that same creek several times. It kept getting louder, wider, deeper. Then it happened, I could not get across it using boulders. There were boulders, but most of them had water flowing right over the top. I finally took off my boots and socks. Then I rolled up my pants and long johns and waded right across. It was ICE COLD! Seylor trotted right through. I used a bandana to dry my feet and put my socks and boots back on. I continued hiking UP. About a mile from the summit Mr Sun decided to shine. I was good and warm by the time I reached the top.  There were a couple of section hikers up there complaining about the cold. It was icy and there was some wind, but I enjoyed it. The view was amazing!  I was 1.4 miles from a shelter. I had planned to hike there for my lunch break, but realized it was 0.2 miles off trail. So when I found myself on a ledge with another awesome view, I made new lunch plans. The sun was still out and it was nice. While I was eating I watched a hawk fly over and land on a nearby tree. With full belly¢s, Seylor and I continued down Mount Cube. I heard some gunshots while going down. I had also heard some gunshots while going up. It¢s deer season. I¢m sure I¢ll be hearing them for a while.  The terrain was a mixture today. 50% nice path, and the other 50% was either mud, rocks and roots, or boulders. I spent a fair amount of time bouldering down my descent. I had a short distance before I started up Smarts Mountain. During that time I had another raging creek crossing. By now my boots were soaked from the wet muddy trail. I just walked right through. The UP to Smarts Mountain was a 3.9 miles ascent to 3237ft elevation. Once I hit 2000 feet the ground became icy and crunchy. Seylor had a Scooby Doo moment on an icy boulder. Paws were flying everywhere!  The views continued on the way up. This entire day was about the views really. There was some bouldering on the way down, and quite a few slabs. It was tricky at times. I slid more than once, but luckily stayed on my feet.  Just as the terrain began to improve there was Papa Big Swig. He brought Gypsy Rose to get a little exercise. Gypsy just turned 15 years old, but today she played with the energy of a pup. It was so cute to watch. When we walked into our hotel room Seylor went straight to her kennel and put herself to bed. I guess this day wore her out. Until Next Time Blue Raccoon (2018) Where¢s your faith?