On Saturday 8/15/09 Bruce and I, Dickens the hiking dog, decided to climb Owls Head NH (3258'), north of Cherry Mtn, from the north via the Owls Head trail.  However, the trail was full of mud and even some wooden walkways were under water.  After 35 minutes we gave up and turned back. 
     Bruce's shoes were full of mud, but fortunately he had brought along a spare pair.  By now the morning was getting on and it was getting hot.  Therefore we decided to try Mt Willard (2865') which is a fairly short easy hike, but one which is very popular.  The mountain sits at a good vantage point for views down Crawford Notch. 
     As a general rule we try to avoid the most crowded trails but Bruce was sure I could handle it.  We set off at 11:15 AM and met up with many families, hikers of all ages, and other dogs.  There were water sources about half the way up.  We arrived at the top at 12:15 PM and had lunch.  There are many ledges here and plenty of room for numerous hikers to enjoy the view. 
     On the left there was a terrific view of Webster Mtn with its steep cliffs.  To the right there was a view of Mt Willey with various slides and a waterfall.  In between, down Crawford Notch, you could see both Route 302 and the railroad tracks.  We started back at 1:00 PM and were done at 2:10 PM. 
     Having done Mt Willard, on 8/28/09 we decided to do its counterpart, Mt Pemigewasset.  Like Mt Willard looking out at Crawford Notch, Mt Pemigewasset is a small mountain (2557') with views of Franconia Notch.  Pemigewasset is also famous for the Indian Head, a rock face on the summit ledges visible from the notch below.  And, like Mt Willard, it is a popular easy hike for beginners.
      It took us from 1:05 PM to 2:25 PM to reach the summit, where there were a series of ledges to roam around on.  We had lunch where there was a view of a buttress coming down off South Kinsman.  After that we walked around to where we could see the ridge from Lafayette to Flume. 
     The view of Mt Liberty was very dramatic because it is 4449 feet high and has great cliffs on its pointy summit.  Bruce could feel in his bones the call of the mountain -- one he had never yet climbed but one which looked so spectacular.  We left at 3PM and were back out at 4:10 PM.  On the way down we saw a number of red squirrels. 
     On September 5, 2009, Bruce came back to climb Mt Liberty.  He didn't bring me along because he was worried that, with the steep hike and the lack of water, I might get overheated.  After hiking it, he thinks this was the right decision although he did see a number of other dogs on the trail.
     To get to the top of Mt Liberty one needs to hike for 8 miles round trip and go for a 3250' elevation gaiin.  Fortunately the weather was perfect:  about 71 degrees, sunny, with a pleasant light breeze.
Bruce started at 9:10 AM and reached the campsite at 11:10, saying hi to the bearded caretaker.  After that he met some French Canadians.  When he said "Hi" they said "Bonjour!" 
     A large section of the trail is very steep and full of rock steps and rocks to hop around on.  The rock stairways have steps so far apart it would seem that the whole trail was designed by hikers seven feet tall.  However, Bruce made good time.  After the campsite, the trail gets easier.  There is a set of ledges just below the summit where he stopped and took many photos, then he proceeded on and arrived on the summit at 12:40 PM. 
     The views were spectacular and that is why there are 15 photos from Mt Liberty in the photo gallery.   A forest ranger told Bruce that this is one of his favorite spots in the Whites and Bruce has to agree. 
     On the summit Bruce met a man about 35 with a very quiet, mellow dog named Buck.  Buck resembled a Bernese Mtn dog but seemed a bit lighter brown overall.  The owner said that Buck had bit four people and was put up for adoption.  After he adopted Buck, the dog became the model of good behavior that he is today, as well as a big fan of hiking.
     Other dogs Bruce met on the way down were Rosie, a small dog with short hair; Gracie, a yellow lab; and Katie, a dark brown dog about the size of a sheltie. 
     Another noteworthy personage he met on the way down was a local attorney from Vermont.  Bruce finished the hike at 5:02 PM, not feeling tired at all.  He says that the magnificent views were well worth the strenuous, rock-laden trail. 
     But if your dog might get overheated from such a trail, better to leave him home and later take him on a different hike later.

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