Ice on Bear Mountain
Friday, March 1st, 2013
Mt. Everett and Mt. Race from Bear Mountain
Bear Mountain, Salisbury, Connecticut. Dave and I hiked up Bear Mountain and this is the view north into Massachusetts to Mt. Race and Mt. Everett. The Appalachian Trail runs from the left edge of this image over the tops of those two mountains to the left side of this image (we’ve hiked that section dozens of times).
We could see the ice on the trees from the road on the drive up so we wanted to do this hike to get some shots of the ice which can be pretty fantastic.
Turned out it was a great day to be out, not too cold and while the snow was deep and drifted in places it wasn’t too tough to walk in without snowshoes.
Mt. Frissell and Round Top from Bear Mountain
This is on the south ridge of Bear Mountain looking west into New York state. The top of Mt. Frissell is actually in Massachusetts but the south shoulder of it is the highest “point” in Connecticut. Bear Mountain, which we’re on is the highest “peak” (so to speak).
Dave photographing ice on a pitch pine
We spent a lot of time attempting to photograph the ice on various trees. The pitch pines were the most interesting although there was ice everywhere.
Pitch pine ice
You can see which way the wind was blowing by how the ice is deposited on the needles.
Ice on a leaf bud
Here, again, you can see how the wind was blowing as the freezing rain/snow was coming down.
Another example showing the ice on the downwind side of branches.
Lovely photos Richard. Beautiful.
Thanks Jon, it was a great day up there.
great images Richard, but what is in Dave’s pack that seems like a lot for a day hike no?
Edward: Both Dave and I carry enough stuff in our packs to spend a night out in an emergency in case someone gets hurt and help can’t reach us for a while. Some people think this is overkill and it may be, but we’re glad to do it and many times the extra clothing and such has come in handy when we’ve gotten wet on snowshoes or in storms. Extra water, food, clothing, first aid, bivvy sack, headlamp and more. Dave just got a new, bigger pack to make it easier to bring extra stuff without having to go crazy stuffing things smaller. I think he really likes that pack which is an Osprey Atmos 50.
I see well that make sense….
Stunning photos Richard! Sure makes me homesick for hiking with you and Dave.
Thanks Gary. I know you’ve been to Bear numerous times although I’m not sure you ever got to experience this kind of ice. I do remember that one time a group of us were up there on top and I was attempting to get a picture of all of us with small tripod and self timer and the camera kept blowing over. It was incredibly windy and cold that day.