I’m fortunate to live in southern Maine in close proximity to both the ocean and the mountains with farmland, forests, lakes, and rivers in between. It gives me plenty of opportunities to get outside with my camera for different types of landscape and wildlife shots.

      One of my favorite things to do is drive the two hours to North Conway, New Hampshire to go hiking in the White Mountain National Forest and other nearby parklands. Every hike is unique with varied photo possibilities. Some hikes lend themselves more to detail and macro work. Others have interesting little streams and waterfalls. Still others have grand vistas. Sometimes, even though I’ll have my camera equipment, I don’t take a single photograph, not because of a lack of subject matter, but rather for the simple enjoyment of the hike itself.

        I have hiked the White Mountains in spring, summer, fall and winter. Each season lends its own perspective to photographs with no one being better or worse than another. Spring gives new growth, flowers, budding trees, exuberant brooks and waterfalls gushing from snow melt, and the tantalizing prospect of baby animals. Summer provides lush green forests and the time to enjoy the hike, the views, and making photos as the temperatures and the daylight hours work to our benefit. Fall means beautiful color with wonderful mosaics in every direction. And, winter allows for seeing the detail of the mountains themselves, along with the intricate play of light and snow and ice. Mini stone cairn amid the little waterfalls of Cascade Brook near Flume Gorge, Franconia Notch State Park.

Mini stone cairn amid the little waterfalls of Cascade Brook near Flume Gorge. Franconia Notch State Park, New Hampshire

      I am by no means an experienced hiker. All of my hikes have been relatively simple trails to relatively low altitudes. Mt Chocorua and Kearsarge North Mtn are the two highest summits I’ve attained, and they’re both in the 3000 ft group. Some day, I hope to be fit enough and experienced enough to hike higher mountains, both at home and on vacation, but it’s not a driving goal. I like to take my time on a hike, meander along, and stop to smell the roses, so to speak. Whether actively photographing on a hike or not, my goal is to simply enjoy this beautiful world we inhabit, not to push push push to the top.

      In early 2015, I had a dream come true and was able to go to the Himalayas to search for snow leopards. I’ll tell that story at another time. However, in order to train, I had to hike every weekend and every other day on my vacation from the end of August 2014, when I signed up for the trip, to the beginning of January 2015, when I needed my last few weekends to prep in other ways.

      One of those training hikes was South Moat Mountain. The weather was really dark and gray that day, but the temperature and wind were ok, and there was no forecast of precipitation, so I went ahead with the hike. It was in mid-November, and there was just a dusting of snow and frost in places along the beginning of the trail. I took my time hiking, being careful with the footing and enjoying being alone on the trail. I took a lot of photos along the way with my Panasonic, but the aim was more documentation than art.

      As I approached the top, more snow and ice covered the landscape. It was really quite beautiful, and I found my photos leaning more towards the artistic side. When I finally reached the summit, the wind was so cold, I was only able to stay up there a few minutes. I took several photos, one of which is one of my favorites from all the hikes. While I didn’t spend long enjoying the views or trying hard to make spectacular images, that hike stands out as one of the most memorable. Sun rays over Mt Chocorua from the top of South Moat Mountain.

Sun rays over Mt Chocorua from the top of South Moat Mountain. White Mountain National Forest, New Hampshire

      Many of my training hikes were on similar weather days, especially from mid-November on. However, the day I did Kearsarge North Mtn in early December, the weather was fantastic. It had just snowed the day before, so all the trees were covered in gorgeous white puffs of snow. There was blue sky and sun, and I took a very long time to reach the top. Even when I wasn’t actually taking any photos with my phone or Panasonic, I was stopping to look around in awe at the majesty of it all.

      Just before reaching the clearing below the firetower, the trail passed through a narrow tunnel of small evergreen trees. The angle of sunlight filtering through and sparkling off the snow was breathtaking. Then, I came out of the trees and had to stop every minute or so to marvel at the beauty. That was a hike where I spent as long as possible on and around the summit, getting as many photos as I could. I would have loved to stay longer, would have loved to have my tripod and Pentax with all my lenses and filters for more photo possibilities, but the sun was setting fast, and I wasn’t experienced enough to feel comfortable hiking after dark. It was a fantastic hike and a great day out. View of the firetower on the summit of Kearsarge North Mountain after a fresh snowfall.

View of the firetower on the summit of Kearsarge North Mountain after a fresh snowfall. White Mountain National Forest, New Hampshire

      So, get out there and enjoy this wonderful planet we call home. Bring a camera, whatever works best for you and the situation, be it a phone, point and shoot, or DSLR. But, don’t force yourself. If you take photos, great; if not, that’s ok too. It’s not the goal, the destination that’s important; it’s the journey we take to get there, so relax and enjoy yourself along the way.

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Click here to see more photos from the White Mountain National Forest.