Piping Plover Eggs Stolen – Hampton Beach
I read at Fosters.com that Piping Plover eggs were stolen from Hampton Beach State Park – New Hampshire in early May of this year. Piping plovers usually nest every year at Hampton Beach State Park and fencing is put up so humans do not disturb the nests.
The piping plover is a threatened and endangered species.
Read Fosters.com story here
Read WMUR story here
This is sad news…..
Black Bears – White Mountains, NH
Bluff charges and tent ransacking are the topic of discussion these days. There have been reports of bears causing trouble for hikers and campers throughout the White Mountains, New Hampshire.
Recently bears raided the Thirteen Falls Campsite in the Pemigewasset Wilderness. They entered hiker’s tents and got away with food. A couple that experienced the raid stated the bears were not frightened by humans.
Many hikers carry Bear Spray by Counter Assault which works on all animals.
Be careful out there!
The Perch Shelter – White Mountains, NH
Just read "The Perch" shelter located along the Perch Path in Cascade Ravine in the White Mountains, New Hampshire will be closed from July 12 to August 20 while the Randolph Mountain Club (RMC) renovates it.
You can read the alert here.
Enjoy!
Resolution Shelter Closed
June 21, 2010
Just read the Resolution Shelter in the Dry River Wilderness of the White Mountains, NH has been closed. It has been deemed unsafe. I am surprised it lasted this long. This shelter has been in bad shape for a number of years.
Over the years it seemed like every time I stayed at this shelter it was in blizzard conditions or in some form of bad weather. Another shelter that is going to be missed!
You can read the announcement here
Enjoy!
Mount Washington Wind Speed Broken
Mount Washington, New Hampshire USA
Since April 12, 1934 Mount Washington, New Hampshire has held the record for the highest wind gust ever measured on earth at 231 miles per hour. A wind speed that some thought would never be broken.
Never say never;
News stories have been reporting that a record wind gust of 253 miles per hour was measured on April 10, 1996 on Barrow Island, Australia during Tropical Cyclone Olivia. As of now it seems official.
Why it took 14 years to confirm this wind speed is a mystery, but it looks like the highest summit in the northeast no longer holds the record.
You can read the official news story here
Enjoy!
Franconia Notch State Park
Today is just a quick reminder about the New Hampshire State Park crisis that is at hand.
Even though deadline for comments has passed (I think Dec 25) everyone still should pay attention to what is going on. New Hampshire’s state parks are in jeopardy.
You can view all information about the New Hampshire State Park issue at the below links, plus I also mentioned the state parks in a previous blog post which can be read by clicking here.
Links for you to checkout and will get you up to date on this issue:
New Hampshire State Parks
List of New Hampshire State Parks
New Draft Unveiled for New Hampshire State Parks
Ten-Year Strategic Development and Capital Improvement Plan
Spread the word!
New Hampshire State Parks
Hampton Beach State Park – Hampton, NH
Imagine not being able to walk the shore of Hampton Beach State Park in Hampton, NH on a beautiful summer day.
Franconia Notch State Park – Lincoln, NH
Imagine not being able to ride your bike along the bike path in Franconia Notch State Park in the White Mountains.
Bear Brook State Park – Allenstown, NH
Imagine never being able to enjoy Bear Brook State Park in Allenstown, NH with your family.
Sculptured Rocks Natural Area – Groton, NH
Imagine never be able to show your children Sculptured Rocks Natural Area in Groton,NH.
A writer I am not, but a conservation photographer I am. My photography work is (and always will be) focused around New England environmental and conservation subjects. This type of photograhphy also requires creating public awareness for your subject matter. With conservation in mind, it would be wrong for me not to draw public attention to a very serious matter.
The very thing that makes New Hampshire special is in jeopardy! Below is a sort version of what is going on. Use the links at the bottom of the page to look deeper into this matter.
Why are the state parks in jeopardy?
New Hampshire’s parks are self-funded from user fees. The current state parks program has a deficit of 2 million dollars. With such a large deficit the state legislature is trying to come up with a future plan to correct this deficit. Add the current economy crisis to this situation and you have a mess. Two of the suggestions mentioned have been closing some of the parks and selling parks off that don’t do well. Foolish suggestions if you ask me!
It is hard to believe that the state legislature is even talking about closing certain state parks! Many of these parks not only hold the history of New Hampshire, but provide a educational platform (or a starting point) in introducing the younger generation to the environment. These are the future conservationists and environmentalists that will be protecting New Hampshire forty years from now.
Crawford Notch State Park – Silver Cascades
Change needs to happen to protect the future of our state parks. The park system has and will always be a learning tool when it comes to conservation. Without change our parks are not safe!
Links for you to checkout:
List of New Hampshire State Parks
New Draft Unveiled for New Hampshire State Parks
Ten-Year Strategic Development and Capital Improvement Plan
Spread the word!
Ossipee Mountains Update
Quick News Update
For everyone who has been following the Ossipee Mountains property closure situation there is good news.
Trail access has been restored!
The Bureau of Trails deserves a big THANK YOU from everyone. This property closure was the direct result of a couple irresponsible hikers over the 2009 summer season. What they actually did is still in question, but the damage was done and it upset many land owners in the area.
This entire matter could have been prevented if people did not look the other way. There is no place for renegade hikers – Today, next week or next year – SPEAK UP and protect the environment! These guys don’t deserve to use the trail system we all fight to protect.
Thank god the professionals stepped in and took over this matter!
Press Release can be read here:
This is great news!
Mountain Lion Sighting
Mountain Lion – Squam Lakes Natural Science Center
Reports of a Mountain Lion in New Hampshire again….
The most recent report was from Barnstead, NH and to make it little more convincing a representative of Fish & Game witnessed the animal! Word is that it is possibly a pet that someone released into the wild. What a pet?
Mountain Lion – Squam Lakes Natural Science Center
New Hampshire has two known mountain lions in captivity at the Squam Lakes Natural Science Center in Holderness, New Hampshire USA.
Mountain Lion – Squam Lakes Natural Science Center
They are couple of the most powerful looking animals I have ever seen in New Hampshire! I would not want to come across either of them in the back-country of the White Mountains, NH.
Mountain Lion – Squam Lakes Natural Science Center
Everything from the way they walk to the look in their eyes says “power”. If you come across a moutain lion in New Hampshire, you will never forget it.
If you would like to view more images of Mountain Lions click here.
Enjoy!
Pemi Wilderness Bridge – Update
Quick update on the Pemigewasset Wilderness Bridge Removal. It has been decided that both bridges will be removed. The forest service plans on having the suspension bridge down before December.
You can read the decision memo here
You can read my full write-up on the removal of the bridge here
Pemigewasset Wilderness Bridge Removal
In the White Mountains, NH there is a buzz going around about the removal of the 180 foot suspension bridge, which crosses the East Branch of the Pemigewasset River. The bridge is located about a half mile past the Wilderness and Bondcliff Trail junction.
The main reason for the proposed removal is because the bridge has become a safety hazard (or will be) The boards are decaying and there is currently a two person limit on it. At two hundred pounds(with pack) I always wonder if I am going to break through the boards with each step I take on the bridge. It creaks and cracks like no other suspension bridge in the area. Removal of the suspension bridge would also remove a man-made structure in a wilderness designated area making the Pemigewasset Wilderness even closer to the National Wilderness Preservation System standard. Along with other US agencies the US Forest Service is staying true to protecting these designated wilderness areas.
What seems to be overlooked and not of interest to anyone is the steel framed foot bridge that crosses Black Brook (Bear Brook on older maps) will also be removed during this project. This foot bridge is located next to the J.E. Henry Railroad Trestle. The trestle will not be touched(far as I know). After removal of these bridges is complete the 0.7 mile section of the Wilderness Trail between the Bondcliff Trail and the bridge will be closed for revegatation.
These bridges are located in a wilderness protection area. Wilderness areas are governed under the National Wilderness Preservation System and the Wilderness Act of 1964, which have very strict guidelines when it comes to man made structures in wilderness protection areas. It will be a shame to see either of these bridges removed since they provide access to some pristine wilderness, but action needs to be taken. It really is more of a public safety concern than simply the forest service wanting to tear down a man made object in a wilderness area.
The Forest Service is listening to everyone’s ideas and allowing public input on the matter, so if you want to say something speak up ASAP!
You can read the scoping report at The Forest Service’s website here.
Just think there could a be a paved road and bridge that allows vehicles to cross this area instead. The bridge would always be replaced when needed. The road could be called "Wilderness Road" and the suspension bridge removal would not be discussed today.
Enjoy!
