Miner's Ledge: Part Two of New Hampshire Beckons

 What are the reasons for a person's need to leave their mark on the mountains? Haven't fire, wind, water, ice (and yes volcano), left mark enough for all generations? 

What if I were to tell you that musical bands, foragers, scientists, famous authors, speculators, rare snakes and an eccentric's cabin have all adorned this mountain?  A collection of reports on the comings and goings of notable visitors and inspired verse as well as some of the natural history of Mount Wantastiquet, can be found at: Wanastiquet Mountain,  Brattleboro History  This collection largely speaks to those who came after the Sokwaki people. 

Approaching the last switchback on the old carriage road before reaching the peak

Overlooking Brattleboro to the west, the Brattleboro Retreat is bottom center, the Retreat Meadows is to the right, the Harris Hill Ski Jump in the center above the Retreat and on the upper right a ski resort's snow covered trails boldly marks the mountains. I had thought this to be Mount Snow; but not being too familiar with the various resorts, I wonder if it might be Stratton.

"It's just like church to me. It hushes all my nonsense and bids me tread with soft and reverent steps toward the heaven that lies beyond" -Sara Willis Parton, Fanny Fern" Vermont Phoenix, January 18, 1907 *

Wayne and I had hiked Wantastiquet mountain in hopes of photographing a clear view of Vernon. We discovered however, that from it's peak the most we could capture was little more westerly than the roof of BUHS and the interstate.  From this vantage, Vernon was obstructed by the most beautiful pines. 

"...This town will be convicted of folly if they ever permit this mountain to be laid bare." -Henry David Thoreau (Journal, 9:70-4)* 

 From fields of Miller's farm, a scar near the mountain is within view, this scar lies on the face of Mine Mountain.

Taken from the Cersosimo Lumber, near the Vernon / Brattleboro town lines, Miner's ledge is to the right of Wantastiquet Mountain. Train rails that run between Connecticut River and the setback created by the Vernon Dam are visible below. This ledge is where Wayne and I hoped to hike to.

"Mine mountain, in the rear of Wantastiquet, is said to have received its name as a result of the operations which were carried on between 1790 and 1800..."** This article relates a tradition that the mining took place on the mountain, when under false pretense, speculators were convinced "...that in digging at the place of the reported (volcanic) explosion, silver would be found in great abundance." Nothing however was found in quantity enough to make the mine profitable.

This is the place where technology and hard work failed to reach an agreement. The trail between Mt. Wantastiquet and Mine Mountain on Google Maps appeared to be about a quarter of a mile in distance and by immediate indications, the trail looked to be approachable even for a couple of 57 year olds who were wet, tired and a couple of hours from sundown.

This seemed in fact to be the case at least until just after the tower.

A choice was made,

to take the "trail" towards Indian Pond.

Which we promptly lost among the wet rocks and leaf covered forest floor.

It it weren't for the bare trees, I think that Wayne and I would have turned around before seeing Mine Mountain.

One obstacle, a gulch remained between us and Mine Mountain and my photograph of Vernon. 

At this juncture Wayne began reciting his memory of hiking with our children by way of Madam Sherie's Forest and coming upon a very steep climb to Miner's Ledge. On that day, Wayne remembered turning back. He then informed me that he remembered a pull off on 119 where the power lines go up the mountain and he thought that could be a way to the ledge. 

 

With our decision made we took long look towards what lay just out of sight.

and headed back towards the tower

for the long walk home.

For seventeen years Wayne and I have seen these NH mountains from near our Vernon home, yet seeing our Vernon home from these mountains had eluded us on this day. We could see the mountain, but we couldn't see us from the mountain.

The language of the indigenous peoples of these hills and valleys evolved from the relationship of the people to the land. If "the language belongs to the land"*** what becomes of the language when we change the land? -Norma Manning

 *Brattleboro Words Trail

**Brattleboro History, Wantastiquet Mountain

***The Language Belongs To The Land, Sokoki Sojourn 

New Hampshire Beckons

Before Runnings, before the old Walmart was the first Walmart, when George's Field was actually a field, and before our children were more than half grown, we walked these woods. Still, there were others who came here first.

The carving reads: J.S. Austin, Aug. 11, 1878

Clouds play with the Autumn light beckoning me to visit the mountain. This isn't the first time I have been called, as it is my daily view; but on this day, I was so moved by the invitation that I asked Zach to take a picture for me. I wonder if others are called? I wonder if these children who play against the mountain's sun splashed canvas will someday go to the mountain? I try to remember how long it has been since I was there -too long.  

Photo by Zach Derosia

Oak leaves had weekends ago blown down and covered yards in a thick brown blanket. The constant grating of leaf blowers that grind at my nerves, had thankfully begun to subside. It was Saturday after dark when the thunder rumbled our foundation with such insistence that I feared our front door would be thrown wide open! Snow had started slipping into conversations, even as the ground was so saturated it felt in spots like we were walking on Jello. It was time.

The trailhead is located off of Mountain Road in Hinsdale, NH. When last here, there wasn't a blue diamond trail, only a well worn path switching back and forth up the mountain. 

According to Sokoki Sorjourn, Wantastiquet is a close interpretation of the Abenaki word Wantastegok which means, "at the place of the lost river."* This mountain is located where the West River and the Connecticut River meet. I encourage my readers to explore Sokiki Sorjourn before hiking the mountain.

Note that on this magnified portion of a 1796 Vermont Map, Vernon, VT is still known as Hinsdale, VT. The West River is shown to the west of the Chesterfield, NH label on this map.

A cascade welcomes hikers near the parking lot. If you aren't ready for a mountain hike, make sure you see this waterfall prior to stretching your legs on Mountain Road which follows the CT River north to Route 9 in Chesterfield.

Old growth trees stand sentry along the trail.

For others, this was their last season.

Wayne pauses to read what's left of a sign just past the trail posts. Were these now rusted and graffitied posts here the last time we were here? 

The day after the storm, hiking the trail was like walking up waterfalls the entire way. Conditions didn't stop others from enjoying the trail however.

Water flows over the side of the trail making its way to the CT River with Brattleboro, VT beyond.

Eastern Mountain Laurel has taken advantage of areas where there is newer oak tree growth and increased sunlight.

Eastern Hemlock adorns a rock outcropping.

I don't remember this trail being so gradual or it being as wide. Perhaps, this is because we no longer have four children to keep watch over. The switchbacks do seem longer however, this affords us opportunities to wonder and reflect upon changes to this place over time.

Water seeps from the rocks,

and wells up from the ground.

Combining forces and shaping pathways,

an ancient force on its way to the long river.

"What's that Abby? You are flying in for Thanksgiving. Yes, we can pick you up in Boston. Mom and I are hiking up Wantastiquet, we can talk more later"

"Hello? Hi Helen...ok you are bringing the green bean casserole...Ethan will make his way down to ride with you?"

Ron was here in 83, that's one year after we graduated from high school.

I can't help but wonder why this person was here and what they were trying to accomplish all of those years ago?

An obelisk sits at the summit.

A bronze plaque from 1906 in memory of Walter H. Childs is on the obelisk. Some have added to this monument in hopes of being remembered too.

Others have a message of their own to share.

Next time we will pick up the trail on the way to Mine Mountain - Norma Manning

Additional Resources:

Sokoki Sojourn

Brattleboro Words Trail, Wantastiquet Mountain