Norumbega Pitch Pine

If you could have a perfect day
To dream of when your life were done,
Would you chose one all clear, all gay —
If you could have a perfect day —
The airs above the wide green way
Sheer virgin blue with crystal sun? —
If you could have a perfect day 
To dream of when your life were done.

Or would you have it April’s way,
Haphazard rain, haphazard sun,
Divine and sordid, clear and gray,
Dyed like these hours’ own work and play;
All shot with stains of tears and clay,
Haphazard pain, haphazard fun —
If you could have a perfect day
To dream of when your life were done?


April Weather, by Edith Franklin Wyatt


This absolutely describes today. During my hike over Norumbega I experienced low gray clouds, clear blue skies, puffy white clouds, windy rain, rain falling while the sun shone, chilly weather requiring my wool hat, and warmer weather requiring me to take off a couple of layers. Lots to dream about later.

One of my guides describes the beginning of this trail as "rising with alarming alacrity," which is fair enough. Another guide describes the summit as "honey-combed with unofficial trails," which I think simply means you can easily wander around amid the trees. The top is very rocky and covered with stunted pitch pines, described by yet a third source as having "irregular scraggly crowns," which is absolutely fair.  Many of them are barely taller than me. For that matter many of them are shorter. They have very scaly bark and sharp, stiff needles. This area is at the northern edge of their range, and what with the rocky environment it's impressive they grow up there at all. Very hardy companions!

The trail descends through stands of spruce and fir, finally ending at a small pond, which made for some nice diversity to complement the changing weather.