Copy/Repost Hike

JT led a group of five GO hikers up Mt. Moosilauke for the 22nd Flags on the 48 hike.  Started in 2001, this is an annual event where an American flag is raised on all of the 4,000-footers of New Hampshire as a memorial to the September 11th attack.  The GO group met at 8 a.m., with thick patches of fog covering the region.  We took the Beaver Brook Trail up and down Moosilauke.  This is a fairly technical trail in the White Mountains, engineered with iron rungs and wooden steps throughout the steeper sections.   The trail runs parallel to a cascading waterfall, offering spectacular views.  Mountain ash trees, a favorite of JT’s, are also common in this area.  Their bright red berry clusters, also known as Rowan berries, can be seen as pops of color peppered on both sides of the waterfall.

When the group reached the summit, a thick cloud was still obstructing most views.  There were about 45 people at the summit for the raising of the flag.  A speaker shared the history of the Flags on the 48 event and a touching reflection on why it is important to remember those affected by the events of 9/11.

After lunch and a break at the summit, we started our descent.  The sun finally burned off the last of the clouds as made our way down Beaver Brook, revealing blue skies and a warm late-summer sun.   The descent was even more challenging than usual because of the drenching rains from the night before.  The group took their time and offered support to each other as needed.  This trail is part of the Appalachian Trail, and we enjoyed chatting with a number of friendly thru-hikers throughout the day as well. We made it back to the parking lot around 3:30 p.m., then went to the Woodstock Inn Brewery for an after-hike meal.  Overall, it was a wonderful day where the solemn nature of the event was balanced with playful camaraderie.  Thank you so much, JT, for leading this spectacular hike!  

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