(Franconia Notch – Lonesome Lake & Cannon – 17)

I post this one on my 48th Birthday, Jan 17 2016. Reflecting on one of those rare days when it wasn’t just about my personal journey but more about sharing the experience with others. At this time I now have just 13 peaks left on my quest for completing the NH48 (while I am still 48). My last hike was New Years day 2016 in the Carters- A wonderful but solitary day in the whitest of whites. I was reminded that while these mountains certainly provide a setting for being introspective gaining insights to your own thoughts, sometimes its nice to have company to pass the time and provide a pleasant distraction to the physical task ahead of you. Sometimes I just need to get out of my own head!! This was one of those lucky days where I got a break from myself: Father’s Day 2015 when I got to spend some rare time with my son in my favorite place…

It’s Fathers Day! …Well, actually the day before, but they are forecasting rain for Sunday so this is the day we picked for our long awaited Father/Son hike! Chad has spent the week on Orchard Beach Maine with his friends and just returned last night, pretty wiped out actually, but he has kept his promise and is in the passenger seat of the Rav4 for a camping weekend with the old man.

We were supposed to drive up last night but I threw him a bone and let him get some sleep at home before dragging him back on the road. Plus this way, we get to set up camp in daylight which is always a good thing. A 6:30 wakeup gets us to the trail head at 10ish with plenty of time to hike before raising the tent roof.

We picked a shorter hike than our original plan from last year of the Franconia Ridge Loop: Yes, another change in strategy. In fact I believe that’s 0 for 17 for intended vs actual hikes for me, but I have come to expect this and go along with the mountain’s plan for me (which usually ends up being better anyway). Well maybe the day’s adjustment was man-made this time around, as Chad spoke up and admitted that an 8 or 9 hour hike just wasn’t in him after the busy week ( of “social activity” ) he’s had. You gotta respect that the kid knows his limits. Many of us tend to push beyond our limit which is also admirable until it leads to ignoring the body saying enough is enough, which can give way to trouble on the trail. Besides, I am happy just to share some of my passion for hiking with the boy and hope some of it rubs off, or at least that he enjoys the experience and finds a piece of the peace in the Whites.

So this is a low stress trek for me too. Since I really have no idea of his fitness level for hiking, the Ridge Loop would probably be asking too much of him. Quite honestly the idea of doing it as his first hike had me a bit anxious, so this is a huge load off my mind and now I can just enjoy his company and we can take in some of the outdoors together. Instead, we will drop off some things at Lafayette Campground and head up Lonesome Lake Trail to the Lake and see how we feel from there to possibly summit Cannon. We chose this peak because it gives us the option of taking the tram down if it becomes too much of an undertaking. I am perfectly ok with a short journey to the Lake too. On many occasions I have found more enjoyment on the way up the mountain than the actual peak, sometimes simply because the summits tend to be a bit more crowded than the trails with the convergence of many routes to the peak and the various extended breaks for lunch and views.

So after check in to site 54 we discover that the beginning of the trail runs right by our site and we start our walk. After several steps and a few adjustments to our packs we pause for a good stretch. No need to invite any needless injuries. A few gulps of water and we are back on our way. Taking family on hikes has been fun! I’d love to take each family member on at least one of these trips on my way to completing the 48. I know we are planning an ADK backpack trip with my sister Therese at some point this summer. A few weeks ago I took my sister Maryjeanne up Monadnock and now I get some rare precious moments with my son.  In both cases I get to show my fellow hiker some of what I have learned through my experiences and through various reading sources. Some of the knowledge tidbits I share include: tips on breathing, pole use, form, balance, using the “rest-step”, zig-zag traversing the trail, etc. But I’m careful not to blab their ears off too much and know when to just shut up and let nature do some of its own speaking. I would be thrilled to be a part of Chad discovering this voice that speaks to me time after time on these journeys, calming my soul. …Just to get him breathing in this fresh mountain air is a good start though.

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To my delight Chad seems to be enjoying himself and his time with his dad. We have a few bonding moments, playful banter, and brief but meaningful exchanges (What more can a dad ask on Father’s Day?) but I’m trying to keep the conversation to a minimum too. I don’t want to turn this into a lecturing session. I have come to grips with letting go a bit lately and letting him lead his own life and build on his own experiences. Also the woods have a way of putting thing in perspective if you let it. If he can experience any of that my job here is complete. Plus, too many words can take a toll on your breathing rhythm I have found.

As much I am trying to do what I can to facilitate a summit visit with the boy, at some point Chad makes the decision to tough it out as far as the Lake and turn back to the campsite after lunch, but insists that I continue on to Cannon so I can check another peak off the list. “Dad you need to do this!” he says. I explain that it’s not all about that for me. Well it’s a little about that, but also so much more than just a list. I am perfectly fine turning back with him and saving seventeen for another day, but we’ll see after lunch how I feel.

Lonesome Lake offers great views of Cannon & Cannonballs, The Kinsmans, and the Franconia Ridge with a postcard like, Bob Ross- esque shoreline scene of trees reflecting their reverse image on the water’s surface. We get few photos of these backdrops, and goofy father/son selfies before a well-deserved sandwich, and then I decide to take him up on his suggestion and continue on to Cannon’s summit. I know he is truly fine with some alone time and could honestly use a good nap anyway. He is normally a night owl these days and isn’t accustomed to these early wakeups. So we continue the loop around the lake and part ways at the Dodge Cutoff to High Cannon Trail, with a few parting words of advice on hiking downward.

The next few hours are more of me doing my thing, getting my solo climb on, and doin my dance with nature as the trail becomes steeper. Once again, I like to call this “solo” (as I’ve said before) and not “alone”, as we are one big happy hiking family here in the woods. Today this feeling is taken to a new level, as I swear Chad is indeed walking with me the whole way, and I find myself talking out loud to him from time to time. I really am so appreciative of our rare time together on this pre-father’s day hike of ours. (cue Harry Chapin’s “Cat’s in the Cradle”) As I make it to the lookout tower at the summit, enjoy the views and then take a stroll around the rim loop toward the tram, I come across a granite bench that reads “This bench is dedicated to the spirit of the mountain and to those souls who mirrored its beauty.” I can’t think of a better dedication today. It’s great to have a few of these awesome peaks that are accessible to anybody who desires them, not just the avid hiker or skier but physically disabled and the spiritually willing. Although I must admit the manmade feel of the tram is not my favorite, I understand its purpose and its ability to reach those who cannot climb. I suppose the same holds true for Loon and Washington which also have alternate ways to their summits.

All this being said my stay up top is short lived as must return to the part that inspires me the most, the trail through the land less disturbed by human hands. I begin my descent back down to the campsite to rejoin Chad, set up camp and enjoy some burgers, dogs & a few beers by the campfire like we have so many times before. What a great day, and a great Father’s Day gift! Hope you can join me again soon my son. Love You!