Pine Mountain Loop

A mostly mild trail with one steep section and a set of excellent views.

Images 6 to 8 of 8

The flanks of Mt. Madison and the distant summit, hazed by perspective.

Pine Mountain Upslope View of Mt. Madison and Mt. Adams

Perspective offers a foreshortened view of the Howker Ridge (directly ahead). The Osgood Ridge blocks the horizon to the left, leading to the summit of Mt. Madison (the left of the two closely spaced summits). The most visible summit is actually the summit of Mt. Quincy Adams, with the summit of Mt Adams itself probably the tiny highest point of the visible summit.

The cause of the braided texture on the ridge is not known to us. The dark color indicates that those are pines, possibly with lanes of deciduous trees marking the braid. While there are trails in the area (the Pine Link goes up to the left foreground ridge summit), nothing travels through the marked area. Perhaps fire or weather are responsible.

See also…

Anomalies

Forest

White Mountains, NH - Presidentials

Summit Views

Summits

8/1/2001

Ragged cliffs to the right and a view of Mt Madison through disordered trees and bushes.

Pine Mountain Near The Summit

Looking back along the trail after the steep ascent, you can see the ragged clifs on the south side of the west facing slabs, and, in the distance, the slopes of Mt. Madison.

11/24/2001

A rock platform in the foreground, edged with short, classic looking pines; mountains beyond, blued with distance, under a brilliantly colored sky.

Pine Mountain East View

The view to the east from Pine Mountains shows the Moriah summits. The trees are taller than krummholz, but smaller than their valley bound counterparts.