Sargent Mountain

   I still had plenty of energy after hiking Penobscot & was hoping that if I continued, the sun would burn off the fog, so I pressed on toward Sargent Mountain. These are two of the highest peaks & most challenging hikes in the park, next to Cadillac (the tallest) and Precipice Trail (the toughest). Precipice is always closed during the summer to accommodate the nesting Peregrine falcons, so that once will have to wait until next time.

Moss & lichens flourish under the trees:

This looks more like coral than moss!

There were dragonflies:

And dragonflies getting it on:

Beautiful grasses:

   And flowers that looked almost unreal. The wind was so intense that it was tricky to get a crisp, still photo. But it was worth the trouble:

Looks like I'm on the right track.

The way up wasn't any more challenging than Penobscot. But I hammed it up along the way anyway. (It's nice to be small so you don't disturb the cairns):

   I collected a bagful of wild blueberries as I hiked, to share with the gang at China Lake tomorrow. The primary variety in season was small & dark, with intense flavor. And I should know, from the massive quantity that I taste-tested!

View of the top!

View at the top:

View from the top:

   Hiking around the peak, I realized that Jordan Pond was just below. And as the wind blew the fog past the mountain, I saw fleeting glimpses of the intensely blue water.

And when the fog lifted... INCREDIBLE!!!

There was even a little bird singing. We carried on a conversation as I hiked down. (Click the title to see the full movie):