Hiked August 9, 2008 by Tim and Valerie
Conditions: This is a trail that has been on our list since we moved here in 2005, and we just never got around to it. Saturday's weather reports gave us the idea that we could expect a good morning, but no promises for after that, so we decided to head out and see what this trail had to offer.
The climb from the parking lot to Little Sugarloaf was quick and easy, albeit a bit muddy. We won't hold it against the trail itself right now. On our way to the trailhead, we came through Bristol where an entire bridge had washed away just a day or two earlier. The views to the northeast, towards Newfound Lake, were beautiful.
Once we started down into the col between the two mountains, then we realized that the "feature" we would remember of this trail was the fungi. Dampness was everywhere. If you stopped to lean down and take a picture of one mushroom, then you'd suddenly see three other types that are also *right there*. We also saw this great newt.
After making it up Big Sugarloaf, we stopped for a snack. We saw this trail marker. Does anyone know what it means (i.e. is there significance in the wolf?)? We've seen it before on Plymouth Mountain, but the trail was being logged at that point and we really couldn't find our way through the mess.
We took pictures of these two different types of black berries. We have no idea what the first one is, but it grows on a bush that looks similar to a blueberry bush. The other is vine-like, with bunches of black berries on it. It may be smooth carrion flower??
On the way back down, we saw lots of threatening skies, and a little drizzle, but nothing of consequence. We met a family who were *also* checking out fungus, and newts, and frogs. Their two young boys seemed to be enjoying themselves.
