<sigh> another hot, humid day.
But you either seize the day or not hike.
Gallery / slide show
Nobody else at the Alton Mt Rd trailhead.
Trailhead now has a kiosk and signs ... civilization continues to creep up 
No alternative if we're to keep access,and not see things spoiled by the clueless or inconsiderate. I get it.
Oh well, happy to still have the woods & trails ! 
No bugs near the car. Brought bug stuff anyway.
Sure enough, within 50 yars, small cloud of deerflies. But I didnt have to get the bug shirt out, just a hat.
With all the hoopla about ticks, the hike quickly became walk 4 paces, check for ticks, walk 3 more, wave hands to shoo flies ... repeat ...
but past the field the stage road had no weeds and the flies subsided.
Funny how there will be a swarm of flies or gnats for a short space, then none for a while, then more.
The culvert draining the bog on the stage road was clogged; the bog is draining over the road. With the water very low it was passable.
Onward to W. Precipice.
The falls were rather less spectacular than last time I was there .
Reached the top and crossed, onward up the path. From the top of the falls til fairly near the Blue trail junction, the trail is a little overgrown.
One short section required waist-high wading thru bushes :(
Beyond that, nothing special to report until I reached the blue trail and started along it.
A lovely bear scat in the middle of the trail, brilliant black full of undigested blackened blueberries.
Crossing a muddy spot ... nice fresh bear track, heading toward Straightback OK. I am NOT turning back; descending W Precipice not an option.
On to Straightback, spooked some crows, came upon a patch of blueberries, stopped for a bit .... mmm.
Noise in the bushes behind me .... phew. Just another hiker arriving at the patch :)
Onward ... enjoy the Straighback summit a bit. Pack up, head down the trail and ... there was what I at first took for a plastic snake in the trail.
Completely motionlesss. I know these snakes live in NH, but have never seen one , what a delight!!
I marveled for a moment (several - see gallery) and then moved on.
Descent via the Blueberry Pasture Trail was unremarkable ( aside from two more beautifully formed bear scats ).
Lots of loud talking to myself as dusk came on after seeing the scats !
I've never liked the footing of the BPT ... a lot of broken rock , all washed clean, so it's pretty uneven.
But it's what I needed to do the loop I wanted today, so ...
Anyway, arrived back at the car with no mishaps, having stopped a moment to ponder the Silent People.
Pretty nice day, even if it was a little warm :)