Hedgehog Mountain

I hiked the loop counterclockwise.  Most people hike the loop clockwise hitting the east ledges first, so I thought by hiking counterclockwise it would be a good way to avoid the masses.   However, it was eerily quiet on the trail today.  When I hiked Potash in June there were so many people hiking Hedgehog I thought for sure it would be crowded on the trail.  I saw only 6 people the entire 3.5 hours.  Even they commented on how quiet and empty it was.

It was an uneventful hike, an easy meander with lovely views on the summit and east ledges. It was a little slippery coming down the east side of the trail, with some unavoidable mud and running water from the recent rain.  The blazes were faded and the trail was narrow on this end but it was still easy to follow.  There were 2 very minor blowdowns, and numerous small water walkovers.

Other than having to rescue a toad with a bug stuck to its face there isn't much to report on this hike :).

bolete sp.

Lots and lots of edible chanterelle mushrooms on the trail

East Ledges

The ERD deciding to sit in a puddle at the summit

The ERD

Initially, I thought this toad was eating the insect.  It turned out that the insect was clasped on the toad's face!

I removed this guy from the toad's face and sent them both on their merry way.

Winter Chanterelle Craterellus tubaeformis

Lactarius lignyotus, the Chocolate Milky