Mt. Chocorua via Liberty Trail

12/4/11 - This was a special hike, for several reasons -- it would have been my mother's 71st birthday; it was the first time I'd ever summitted Mt. Chocorua; and John and I descended in the dark (something I tend to avoid). We'd meant to take the Brook Trail up and Liberty down, but ended up on Liberty and decided to stick with it. After meeting the Hammond Trail on the right at 2.7 miles, the trail continues another half-a-mile to the rustic Jim Liberty cabin. After that, there was some ice and some moderate ledge scrambling. The wind on the top is reminiscent of Mt. Monadnock, but we were able to find shelter on the south side of the summit and eat lunch -- which included Mint Milanos and Lindt Chili Chocolate. Yumm!

Several stream crossings and my no-longer-waterproof, three-season boots meant wet feet. Happily, though, I lost, then found, my winter hat in the dark while taking a separation break at the end of the hike!

7.8 miles RT, 2,700' elevation gain
Summit: Mt. Chocorua (3,500')
Route: Liberty Trail to Brook Trail (last 0.3 miles to summit) and back