Sweet Fern Hill(Hammond Pond Wild Forest-Adirondacks)

With overcast and at times misty conditions, I didn't want to commit to any big hikes today so decided to do a short bushwhack hike up to 1470 foot Sweet Fern Hill in the Hammond Pond Wild Forest.  Parked on the shoulder of Ensign Pond Road where I could fit my car off the road(Elevation 1070 feet) and headed south into the damp woods, climbing easily towards the summit, which sat less than 1/3 of a mile away.  

The woods were mostly open and I soon arrived at the 1470 foot summit, which sits in a moss covered clearing.

From the summit, I ventured south, exploring the open, pine and hardwood forest.

Unfortunately, there were only a couple of peek a boo views on the summit itself, but on the nearby sub summit, there are multiple great views.  The best view of all is south over Hammond Pond with Berrymill Hill and Bald Pate in the distance.

From the same spot, taking in the view of neighboring Bloody Mountain.

 I circled around the west slopes of the sub summit and the steep slopes offered more views.  Some were just a tease..

...while others were quite broad.  This view was west towards the cloud capped higher peaks across the Northway in the former Dix Wilderness.

An easy descent brought me back down to the car, dripping wet from the damp woods.

Hiked about 2 miles total with all of the wandering, and over 500 feet of ascent.