4June07 - West Rattlesnake

Last night's thunderstorms left us a legacy of daytime cloudbursts. We drove through one after another, on our way to the Squam Lakes area. By the time we reached the parking lot the squalls had given way to a nuanced veil of showers. We suited up in light rain gear, hauled on our hiking boots and set off, Button and Riley in tow.

At the trailhead, an auspicious sign; an oriole flew past us on the trail. The trail, heavily rock- and root-strewn, gave us ample shelter. The bower effect of the old oaks, maples and birch ensuring we kept nice and dry. Bursts of wind let loose rainwater on us, though, from the saturated, sheltering foliage from time to time.

The undergrowth of ferns, lilies-of-the-valley, mosses, strawberry, blueberries, Ladies slippers, lush with that extra colour impact rain enlivens them with. It's cold enough, so Riley is made more comfortable with a light fleece coat, while Button goes without, not taking kindly at this time of year to the loss of dignity the offence of a coat burdens her with.

She's our intrepid adventurer, hastening to explore every beckoning animal trail. Riley plods bumptiously behind. We know we'll have to check them carefully later, for ticks.

The trail is interlaced with a criss-cross pattern of roots, well exposed through popular use. Hemlock abounds, and striped maple, pines, fir and spruce. We step carefully over the bouldered portions of the trail, the heavy root system, loathe to trip. Our Vibrand-soled boots are good, but we've experienced unwanted surprises in these conditions before.

When we finally ascend to the rocky top of the Rattlesnake there is no view to reward the climb. The lake below is not to be seen, the vista obscured, absorbed in the grey fog socked into the slope and the scene below. We're enveloped in mist. Fine rain descends about us. Button's rough, curly haircoat is damp to the touch and she is feeling definitely frisky, her usual reaction to water.

We too feel refreshed, free, grateful to be there in this splendid place of nature. Our descent is leisurely. Button scoots irrepressibly ahead. Riley clumps forward stodgily in our wake.