Yesterday I was over at Cannon Mountain (well, technically Mittersill Alpine Ski Resort) to watch the “Meet of Champions,” where high school ski racers from every division in New Hampshire competed. We had an uncharacteristically beautiful sunny day to spectate, and the racers all loved the conditions. But before the racing began, I had an hour to kill and felt like stretching my legs.
Searching Google Maps, I looked to see what was in the area. I already knew about Artist’s Bluff, having climbed it before—once as recently as last month—so I scrolled around for a bit, hoping to find something new. But nothing looked like it was going to work. Nothing that would get me back in time to watch the first race, anyway. Drawn in by their names, I contemplated the Skookumchuck and Coppermine Trails for a bit too long, before conceding that the best option was a speedy hike up Artist’s Bluff.
The sun working its way through Franconia Notch.
Same Trail, Different Approach
In January, I hiked Artist’s Bluff and Bald Mountain with two friends, and we took our time. We carried packs containing extra clothing and snacks, and embraced the chance for conversation on the trail. But yesterday was about getting exercise and a nice view. When I pulled into the parking lot across from Cannon Mountain, where the trailhead for Artist’s Bluff sits, it was clear that I was the only one who had the idea to hike this morning. A lot of Massachusetts schools are on break right now, so the lot was filling up with skiers—not hikers. Lucky me.
Opting for speed, I ditched the pack and left the snowshoes behind. I knew from a recent hike up Mount Pemigewasset that the trails are well-packed right now, and microspikes would be sufficient and proper—I wouldn’t be creating postholes for other hikers. After strapping the spikes on in the lot, I grabbed some hiking poles and a small Powerade I could fit in my pocket. With less weight on my back, and poles for support, I was ready to fly.
One of these kids is doing his own thing.
The Artist’s Bluff Trail Loop
The Artist’s Bluff Trail is a loop, and at the start you can either opt to go left towards Bald Mountain, or right towards Artist’s Bluff. Given my time constraints, I opted for Artist’s Bluff as it was only .6 of a mile to the summit. It’s a shorter summit than Bald Mountain, and I figured if I was running out of time once I hit the summit, I could turn around the way I came if necessary.
Turns out, it wasn’t. I still didn’t have time to ascend Bald Mountain, but I was able to complete the loop of the Artist’s Bluff Trail. Once you pass over the summit, it’s a fairly short hike back down to the lot at Cannon. All told, the hike took me about forty minutes. I did jog through a few sections, and I pushed the speed on the ascent, but I think if I operated under normal hiking speed, an hour would have been enough to complete the hike. If I added the spur trail up to Bald, my guess is another forty-five minutes would have been necessary to navigate the snow and ice.
Echo Lake, as seen from the Artist’s Bluff lookout.
Seeing New Things
Hiking Artist’s Bluff again was a great decision. As hikers and climbers, we tend to always look for new peaks and views—new challenges to take on. But there was so much I didn’t notice on last month’s hike, it was wonderful to give it another look and see what I missed. The first .4 of a mile, for example, actually descends into the valley, creating a steeper approach for the march up the bluff. Lost in conversation on my previous visit, I was unaware of the long grade down.
I also saw a lot of trail markers yesterday that I somehow missed before. It’s not a difficult trail and one would have to try hard to get lost on it, but it was surprising to find clear trail markings in places I was sure that I had looked at on the last hike. One set was even painted onto a big rock that I definitely looked at before. How did I not see those?
No trail markers on this guy, but it’s my favorite. It greets you as you approach the bluff’s lookout.
Old Trails, Recurring Rewards
One of the beautiful aspects of hiking is that it slows us down and helps us see a little bit more. Sometimes these are literal things on the trail, or parts of our life back home we need help with. Maybe we need insight on a relationship or a personal goal. Maybe we need to diffuse a situation or help guide someone on an issue they are having, and a little time on the trail brings clarity to our thoughts so that we can offer more help.
But what we shouldn’t ever do is think that because we did a trail once, it has nothing left to offer us. I know I’m guilty of overlooking a trail or two because I’ve already been there before. I shouldn’t be so quick to do so. Revisiting a trail always gives me something I needed, whether it’s time to contemplate something I’m working on or just getting a little fresh air and exercise. If we’re under time constraints for how far we can go, we shouldn’t skip the activity because it’s not entirely new. Familiar places, like old friends and family, never stop having more to teach us.
Cannon Ski Mountain is heralded for its magnificent views. The views of it from Artist’s Bluff are pretty spectacular as well.