The beginning and end of the trail was a covered bridge. The purpose of having a roof on the bridge was to extend the life of the wood floor and support beams. 
This is the only place where were was wooden steps on the trail. Otherwise, it was rocks and tree roots that you would use as a step. 
The trail was called Boulder for good reason. Huge boulders were all over and look like they fell down the mountain at some point in the distant past. 
You can see all the tree roots sticking up, just waiting to trip us up! 
A bird apparently fought for their life in this spot. Brilliant blue and dark gray feathers in an area where we stopped to catch our breath. 
Carson and Spencer got way ahead of us, but they would stop and wait for us to catch up sometimes. 
They loved to mock us for our slowness. My defense is that since I am now the shortest person in the family, I am taking 1.5 steps compared to everyone else’s single step! 
Trees start growing here with just a little dirt and a little sun. This forest is not primary growth, but it has been managed for a long time, so there seems to be a lot of tree and plant diversity in the area. 
Isn’t this view amazing? 
I made it to the top and still had a smile on my face! 
Zoomed as far in as possible with my phone to a rock wall in the distance. 
Tree silouette 
It can get very windy at the tops of the mountains, as you can see from the way the branches grew on this tree. 
Jeff contemplating life as he looks out over the area we just climbed. 
On the return part of the trail, stones were strategically placed to make stairs. My knee was very thankful! 
Lots of tall,very straight trees 
The covered bridge goes over this river bed. In the spring, the river is rushing and much higher as the snow melts in the higher elevations. 
This fern had the coolest coloring. The edges were a much lighter green than the rest of the leaves. 
Carosn and I made smores after we got back. We usually don’t bother with making a fire during our roadtrips, but a neighboring camper gave us their leftovers when they were leaving, so we bought some smore ingredients at the campground store. 
I am a Master Marshmellow Maker. Perfectly toasted! 
We were at a campsite which was perfect for people watching as it was right off the main driveway so we could see everyone coming and going. 
Jeff made delicious omelettes and hashbrowns to fill us up before the hike! 
Trail selfie! 
Jeff loved this hike so much. He said it was one of his top favorite hikes we have ever done. I agree! 
There was an Llbean outlet right at the edge of town. Jeff bought these hiking shoes on a whim and said they were comfy the whole time. 
This view! 
This is called a blaze and it is the way that hikers can stay on the trail when hiking on remote trails that are not paved or laid with pea gravel. Carson was great at spotting the blazes. 
The day was beautiful so we had a nice breakfast and then went for a hike in Mount Washington National Forest. We had come to this area back during spring break 2005 and vowed to go hiking here some day because it was so beautiful. Well, today was that day!
It was a 3.5 mile loop hike that went 1000 feet up and then 1000 feet back down. It was called Boulder Loop Trail and it truly lived up to it’s name. Our legs were on fire as we hiked over all the boulders and exposed roots along the trail. We definitely used the hiking poles! The boys frequently got way ahead of us with their young legs, talking the whole way. I don’t think they looked around much to appreciate the nature around them, but they didn’t complain about lack of cell phone service even once!
When we got to the half way point (also the highest elevation of the trail), the vista was awe inspiring, breathtaking, amazing and every other wonderful adjective that you can think of. So many layers of tree-covered mountains, huge rock faces, blue skies and big puffy clouds. Words and pictures just can not convey how awesome it was! Jeff said it was his most favorite hike he has ever taken and I completely agree.
The hike had to come to an end at some point, unfortunately, so we headed back to the campsite where Jeff made steak, and then Carson made some smores. The next day we packed up and headed to Kennebunkport, Maine to begin the Kline family vacation leg of our roadtrip, so I won’t be posting quite as much.
Kline Road Trips 