So Many Gems Tucked Away in the Forest

[1HappyHiker]

It has been my privilege to visit many of the "gems" that are tucked away in the beautiful forests of the White Mountains. Many of these treasures require a bushwhack and are seldom visited. Just recently I was grateful for the opportunity to accompany my friend Steve to visit a couple of "gems" that he had come across during previous explorations of the Olivarian Brook Valley.

On this particular day, the lighting was sub-optimal for photographing the vistas from a low elevation (ca. 2100 ft) cliff on the east side of the Olivarian Brook. However, it was still a wonderful treat to witness a unique close-up view of Square Ledge with Mt. Passaconaway looming in the background.

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_jMddpAdzX0E/StiOBYNIZMI/AAAAAAAAF-g/TTF4mJWvmV4/s800/P1010553.JPG

From this same location there was also a unique perspective of Hedgehog Mtn flanked on the left by the Hancocks, and on the right by Mt. Carrigain/Carrigain Notch.
A slightly zoomed photo is shown below.

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_jMddpAdzX0E/StiN_jTOMTI/AAAAAAAAF-c/99UsSRrvxYQ/s800/P1010544.JPG

On this same day we did one other off-trail trek by going a short distance up one of the tributary brooks to visit a segmented cascade which was quite picturesque.

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_jMddpAdzX0E/StiODfW9AoI/AAAAAAAAF-k/8-s7yxpqj4Y/s800/P1010578.JPG

Steve has posted a detailed description of our trek (plus additional photos) on his blog which can be accessed by clicking HERE (http://mountainwandering.blogspot.com/2009/10/oliverian-brook-valley-101509-snow-that.html).

1HappyHiker

[CHRIS]

Great pictures. I love the water fall. Thanks for sharing.

[Snow Miser]

Yes, great photos John! It's through your buchwhacks to those "Gems In The Forest" that allow all of us to see how beautiful they are. Thanks once again.

[Anna LeBlanc]

Thank you for bringing us those beautiful pictures John.They're all great shots but I especially like the waterfall picture and the way you captured the motion of the water.

________________________
Anna

[billysinc]

Nice stuff John. I just read Steve's blog on your hike and his combination of words and your pictures almost makes it feel like the reader is hiking along with you guys.

[mtruman]

Nothing like wandering with the Mountain Wanderer. Great blog post from Steve (as would be expected) taking us on every step of the trip along with a great photo journal. As he says, your shot of the cascade is superb! What a beautiful spot. I love the way you get us to places we'll likely never see in person.

[KD Talbot]

Wow, as if your trip reports aren't goo enough, now you're teaming up with Steve Smith? No fair!

Great TR and pictures, John! Keep'em comin', John!

KDT

[TrishandAlex]

Wonderful pictures, as always. I look forward to your reports every week.

[NeoAkela]

I love that cascade photo, John! Great perspective on Square Ledge as well! :) Thanks for sharing!

[1HappyHiker]

CHRIS; Bob; Anna; Billysinc; Mark; Kevin; Trish; Chris (NeoAkela):

Here's a HUGE thank you to each of you for your very kind & generous comments.
Also, special recognition is owed to Steve for his willingness to share some "gems of the forest" that he has uncovered. And, as Billysinc and Mark mentioned in their responses, Steve is indeed a master at putting together a combination of words & photos that allows the reader to vicariously come along on the journey.

Oh! And Kevin, you mentioned "teaming up" with Steve. That would sort of be like a little chipmunk (me!) teaming up with a majestic moose! Steve and I only hike together now & then whenever our schedules happen to mesh. Most of my hikes are done as a solo hiker. My partiality to very "fluid" plans (up to the very last minute!) makes it difficult to arrange hikes with others.:);)

[forestgnome]

John, thanks for sharing. Beautiful pics of these nice gems. Your TRs are a great resource and entertainment. As Kevin says, keep 'em coming, please!