Icy ledges on Peaked Mountain (North Conway, NH)

12/30/11 - The wind was quite nippy on the icy ledges of Peaked Mountain and we had a few snow flurries. The upper part of Peaked Mountain Trail passes through interesting stands of red and pitch pine. Looking north, we watched snowmaking and and skiers schussing down Cranmore's trails.

Snowy weather conditions prevented us from seeing either Mt. Washington or Mt. Chocorua. But it was delightful nonetheless. Thanks goodness for micro-spikes on all of those icy ledges!

4.2 miles, 1,200'elevation gain (~4 hours RT)
Summit: Peaked Mountain (1,739')
Route: Peaked Mountain Trail

Easy winter hike on Sawyer River Road

12/29/11 - First John and I enjoyed the river views and sounds, taking many photos of river ice. Then we scrambled (I slid) to ascend the steep bank to the road.

We walked down Sawyer River Road until we reached the intersection with the Signal Ridge Trail, which leads to the summit of Mt. Carrigain. We had a lovely leisurely lunch (including orange milanos and chili mango!) overlooking the river.

~3 miles, virtually no elevation gain (~3 hours RT)
Summit: none
Route: along Sawyer River, then along Sawyer River Road (unplowed)

My first night hike - Cathedral Ledge (NH)

At night, this moderate climb up an unplowed road to a clifftop provides nice views eastward of Cranmore Mountain's lighted ski trails.

On the ledges, even with headlamps, it was a bit tricky finding the road back down, but when we did, it was a quick and easy descent to the base of Cathedral Ledge and the car.

Benefits? My first night hike and a clear view of Jupiter with John!

2.8 miles, 650'elevation gain (~40 minutes up
Summit: Cathedral Ledge (1,150')
Route: Cathedral Ledge Auto Road (unplowed)

Mt. Stinson with SE'ern Mass. AMC

12/17/11 - Nice views from the summit where the old firetower once stood, and a view over Stinson Lake when you bushwack a bit on a spur path leading southwest.

Thanks to leaders Cheryl Lathrop and Bob Vogel from the AMC's Southeastern Mass. chapter for a lovely day on the mountain. 3.6 miles, 1,400' elevation gain
Summit: Mt. Stinson (2,900')
Route: Stinson Mountain Trail

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

A fun fall day - Mt. Monadnock hike and apples

Sunday 10/16/11 - Weather conditions calling for rain in the White Mountains caused an early-morning change of plans from Mt. Osceola to Mt. Monadnock. The weather around Jaffrey and Dublin, NH was just fine for a fall day. Sheeba, Alex and I hiked up the White Cross Trail, Alex stopping to take photos along the way. We had a lovely time on top, seeking shelter below the summit for lunch.

We stopped for apples -- and my first caramel-covered apple -- on the way home.

4.2 miles RT, 1,800' elevation gain (2 hours up)
Summit: Mt. Monadnock (3,165')
Route: White Cross Trail

Haunted Hancocks before the snowstorm

10/29/11 - A snowstorm was predicted so about one-third of the registrants for this AMC H/B hike bailed. I volunteered to drive two others from the Dascomb Park-n-Ride lot to the trailhead -- a decision which I regretted at day's end when the storm started and made driving difficult and treacherous.

But the hike was epic! The summit of Mt. (North) Hancock is wooded, but there is a nice view from a side path of the Sandwich Range, including the Tripyramids. A gray jay visited us on the summit. I was delighted to do these two 4,000-footers for the first time!

The trailhead is on the Kancamagus Highway just after a hairpin turn coming from the west. There are many river crossings but the trail climbs only moderately until the Hancock Loop Trail, which is at times very steep and rough. Thanks to Brian Glenn and Erika Bloom for leading the two groups!

9.8 miles, 2,650' elevation gain
Summits: Mt. (North) Hancock (4,420') and South Hancock (4,319')
Route: Hancock Notch Trail to Cedar Brook Trail to Hancock Loop Trail Trail -- north link to Mt. Hancock, then the Ridge Link to South Hancock and return.