2022 Year in Review, White Mountains – Wow, another year is almost in the books; when you are constantly busy, the years just seem to fly by. Like most years, around this time, I don’t have much to say, and like many of you, I am ready for the new year. It's been a long, roller-coaster year. Included here are a few of my favorite photos from 2022.
I have spent most of this year doing behind the scenes work that most people are not interested in. Examples of this work include looking for a new printer (considering I have used the same one for the last 14 years, this was not an easy task), editing and keywording imagery, making numerous updates and improvements to the website, doing research for a book, and writing. I also worked on a few smaller projects, scouted out a number of new locations, and did some hiking.
Cherry Mountain, seen above from Airport Marsh in WhiteField, was once referred to as Pondicherry Mountain. The mountain consists of two peaks: Mount Martha, the highest peak, and Owl’s Head. The mountain is known for the Cherry Mountain Slide (also called the Stanley Slide). On July 10, 1885, a landslide slid down the side of Owl’s Head into the valley, destroying Oscar Stanley’s farmstead. Donald Walker, one of Stanley’s hired workers, was fatally injured in the slide. Mount Martha is one of the mountains on the New Hampshire 52 With A View hiking list.
The Bronson Hill Conservation Area in Sugar Hill is one of the many hidden gems in the White Mountains. Four properties, consisting of roughly 600 acres, make up the Bronson Hill Conservation Area; it's maintained by the Ammonoosuc Conservation Trust. The log cabin along Overlook Farm Loop is just perfect at sunrise. I don’t visit this conservation area much, so it was a real treat to be on the property at sunrise this year.
Located along the abandoned Boston and Maine Railroad’s Mt Washington Branch extension, between Fabyans and the base of the Cog Railway, is the above timber bridge. The Boston, Concord & Montreal Railroad completed this roughly six and a half mile long extension in 1876. In August 1931, the last passenger train to the base station traveled over this extension. I revisited this cool piece of history in January.
The lupine was exceptional this year (better than the last few years). The above photo is from along Valley Road in Jefferson. It has one of the best lupine scenes in the White Mountains; the Presidential Range is an incredible backdrop.
The photo opportunities along the East Branch of the Pemigewasset River are endless. It's one of my favorite rivers to explore. Beginning deep in the Pemigewasset Wilderness at Stillwater Junction, this river travels roughly 15.5 miles before joining the Pemigewasset River in Woodstock. The serenity of this river is great.
As the year comes to an end, I will be diving deep into a year-long book project that has a publication date of 2024. I am very excited about this project, but I won’t be revealing much about it now. In the spring or summer I will start sharing more information about it. The only hint I will give is that the waterfall scene above is indirectly linked to the main topic.
I am looking forward to the new year. It's going to be a fun year. Be safe on the trails and never stop exploring the White Mountains; the story of this region is incredible!
Happy image making..
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Owner of ScenicNH Photography LLC
Erin Paul is a professional photographer, writer, and author who specializes in environmental conservation and historic preservation photography mainly in the New Hampshire White Mountains. His work is published worldwide, and publication credits include: Appalachian Mountain Club, Appalachian Trail Conservancy, Backpacker Magazine, and The Wilderness Society.
Familiar places with different perspectives through your lens.
Thank you, Jim! Happy New Year (almost) to you and your family. Keep exploring. 🙂