15:25 hrs.
28 June 14
I was out on my patrols for work and I realized that I hadn't been up to the end of the Forbidden Plateau Road in quite some time. Well, there was no time like the present.
Forbidden Plateau used to be home of a nice little ski hill. The problem wss that it wasn't at a high enough elevation to ensure a sustainable snow pack. In the late 1970's Mount Washington was developed into a Mecca for winter sports. Unfortunately, this new ski hill was several thousand feet higher than Forbidden Plateau which, when coupled with the fact that was on a western slope, meant it often had lots of skiable snow late into the spring. There have been years when Mt. Washington has had well over 1000 cm. of snow and a five month season.
The writing was on the wall. All it took was a couple of warmer winters and Forbidden Plateau was closed. They had tried the summer sightseeing chairlift gig but when the guys at Mt. Washington started doing it the final coffin nail struck home.
The lodge is gone now. Literally gone. The concrete foundation is still there, coated in spray paint like a New York subway car. The rest of the structure was long turned to ash. Rumour has it that it was a successful arson job. There's no proof of course but in a small community everyone knows what really happened.
Pepple still go up to Forbidden Plateau. Hikers, mountain bikers, picnickers and others. The buildings may not be there any more but the view is still there. It may not be as stunning as on Mt. Washington but IT'S FREE.
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