Hunter and Leavitt 9/10

[billandjudy]

Shiloh and I took a damp, foggy, rainy walk up Hunter yesterday. The original plan was to do Rusk also but w/ everything wet I decided to stay semi dry for as long as I could. No views as everything was clouded in, but a good day nontheless. We surprised a hawk (feeding as it turned out) near Hunters summit--he took off and came straight at me--no more the 4-5 feet off the trail:eek: . The last thing I saw as ducked out of the way was a bird dangling from his talons. As we came up to the log he was on we saw the remnants of breakfast. Leavitt was an easy walk--1/4 mile down the herd path and a 500' ascent right to the cannister. The decent down the DP was a pain--all the rocks were wet a slippery--even Shiloh was slip[ping around. 10.6 miles 2300 vert--6 hours
Pics are up--no views though:cry:
http://outdoors.webshots.com/album/560641636tiTcCJ

[hoosier]

Your first Hmm photo is probably the following:

Dolls Eyes, White Baneberry

Common throughout the eastern US in rich soil on north facing wooded slopes and ravines, Doll's Eyes is best known when it is in fruit displaying its white berries with dark spots resembling old porcelain doll's eyes.

[Deb]

Thumbs up to you for just getting out there.
I thought Monday was a great day to stay in the house. Foggy all day. Torrential rain here near Hudson in mid-afternoon.
Yes, white baneberry...one wild looking plant. Clusters of eyeballs on purple stems.

[mudhook]

Theres always something to see.
And nothing is better than riding home with a wet dog!

[Jay H]

Maybe you should of took the landshark pet toy with you instead ;)

Jay

[Peakbagr]

Bill,

What was that harness/collar that Shiloh is wearing? Looks interesting. Is that a handle on top, as I've seen dog floatation devices that look like that.
After the big Spring storm, what kind of shape is the old railroad bed herdpath on the way to Leavitt? Looks like you stayed with it or mostly on it for your route.
We might do something on Sunday if Saturday's weather craps out. You free on Sunday this weekend?


Alan

[billandjudy]

Alan--I PM'd you about the harness--The herdpath is in great shape--a "trail" really--no blowdown problems--But the forest canopy along the upper elevations of the DP on the way out is gone--I'd say 90-95%--It seemed odd to see that much sky--the trail maintainers did an amazing job--it's pretty though w/ fields of Asters all around--Lower elevations are covered w/ nettles
I like the Ninja look:tup: