Mt. Paugus 11/28/09

With a sketchy weather report for the mountains I was not sure this would be a good day for a hike. My brother really want to go so I figured it wouldn't hurt to give it a shot. The afternoon was supposed to see some improvement so I figured we'd get a late start to hopefuly cash in on some of that nice weather. We parked and got on the ski pants, winter jacket and other gear. I felt like an astronaut trying to walk around in all this clothing for the first time this year.

We headed out at 10:45am under cloudy sky's and a wind driven mist. Once the thermometer cooled off to outdoor temps. it read in the low 40's. The trail was leaf covered and easy footing. I decided to go the opposite direction as my spring loop hike and go counter clockwise up Mt. Mexico via. Big Rock Cave Trail, over Paugus than down the Cabin Trail. I wanted to ascend the ledges rather than descend them in case they were icy, and I remember the other side to be more gradual and a nice descent. After being startled by a tree top breaking and crashing down 50 ft. off the trail we encountered a burst of ice showers for a couple minutes than back to just winds. Jeremy had a pretty good wipe out almost rolling into a run-off stream, ha, ha, ha! Grades were gradual up and over Mexico and down to the Big Rock Caves. These caves are actually a HUGE chunk of rock split in three/four which created tunnels that you can walk through.

Once down to the river the sun began to peak out from the clouds...sweet! Once cross the river we crossed over Whittin Brook Trail and up Old Paugus Trail and the trail continues at gradual grades. Once you come to the base of the first ledges the trail becomes steep as you make your way through chunks of rock that have fallen from the ledges. The trail verges sharp right near the top and crosses in front of the bottom of a sheer cliff. Once past Bee Line Trail now on Lawrence Trail you again climb steeply to the base of another ledge and you climb around it's left side and come out to the top of it. It is here we had our lunch. Back on trail you now cross through a pine grove for a bit with peaks of Mt. Chocorua. Once past the pine grove the trail makes it's final steep ascent to the false summit (about 3000') which was covered in a thin sheet of patchy ice at 2:00pm. Here you want to walk down the rock passing some small boulders and through the trees to get to the ledge. Views here to Mt. Whiteface and Passaconnaway are breath taking. We battled the 50 mph winds briefly and headed back to the false summit.

Heading down the other side (still Lawrence Trail) was a breeze! I was happy to be going down the never ending switch backs this time instead of up them and we jogged down much of this section. Footing was a little more tricky on this side of the mountain with many slippery roots. I tripped on a root (while jogging) just as the trail suddenly climbed and I crashed to the ground and burst out laughing... I joked with my brother, "now we're even!" Once at the bottom of this you have some asceding to do as you skirt a ridge than climb to it's South Knoll. It is on these sections you get awesome views of the Paugus Ledges a reminiscent orange similar to Mt. Lowells Ledge/slide seen from Mt. Carrigain. The sun going down now we picked up pace coming to our Cabin Trail Junction. We arrived back to the truck at 4:30pm.

Total Trip Time: 5hrs. 45min. Total Mileage: 8.1 miles Weather: Temps. Ranged from the mid 40's to low 30's. Winds 30-40 mph with 50mph wind gusts. Cloud ceiling was above 4000' allowing decent views with partly sunny sky's. Snow was 2 inches at it's deepest. Ice minimal.

Pics of this trip here> http://www.flickr.com/photos/excape1/sets/72157622895285628/

Mt. Moriah 11/21/09

Today was to be a beautiful day in the White's by the afternoon, so off we went . I had no clue what I wanted to hike so I figured I'd pick something on the way up. Not spending much time this year near the Presi's Scott and I figured we'd stop at the Pinkham Notch VC to get our annual parking stickers and hike something in this area. This done we decided to head for Moriah, positive the clouds would clear by noon as they already had done so in Conway. We have only been to this summit once back in '07 via Moriah Brook Trail and remember enjoying it. This time we would tackle it from the other side!

We started out at the tiny turn-around at the Carter-Moriah Trailhead in Gorham. Start time was 9:15am, temps. in the low 40's. The trail makes a steep start up a banking then attacks Mt. Surprise gradually with excellent footing. I was happy to find a lot of slime mold, jelly fungus and Trametus Versicolor mushrooms along the way! We took a fast break about 10am and mouwed down our Reese's Fast Break bars as a solo hiker passed by. Once crossing some open rock areas (views of clouds) we arrived at the Mt. Surprise summit 2194' at 11:00am.

The trail now drops a little than climbs again. From here on out ledges, views, lichen and minor PUDS are constant with temps. up and down as well between upper 30's - low 40's (winds constant at about 10-15mph.) The trail was a stream all day with a side of mud, yuck! As if we haven't had enough of that this year! I barely got some pics of Washington and Madison before the clouds covered them again. A group of three guys passed us here and we "played tag" with them a couple times, before they finally passed us on there way down from the summit.

We arrived at Mt. Moriah summit at 1:15pm . The summit was a little cold and windy with no views...go figure. Back down was slow going especially on the Ledges. We had to "tarzan" down many sections using tree branches to swing from and the good ol' squat and slide technuiqe. We passed one more solo hiker on her way up with two dogs. One was nice enough to jump up and leave two muddy paw marks on my shirt. Of course once down off of the summit the skies broke, well atleast we had views on the ledges looking up to Middle Moriah, it's ridge and a setting sun behind the Presi's. We arrived back at the parking lot at 4:15pm. As we put our gear in the back of the truck we both smelled a fowl smell. I apparently stepped in some dog doo It was the nastiest smelling poo I have ever smelled I tried washing it off with water and on the grass with little success. We stopped at the gas station for gas and I got a plastic bag from the clerk to tie my smelly boot up in so we wouldn't have to smell it for two hours Dogs seem to always piss me off somehow on a hike. But life goes on. It was a great hike and it is always nice to get out and hike no matter the mileage, view or elevation!

Total trip time: 7 Hrs. Total Mileage: 9 Miles. An enjoyable trail and would probably be more so on a dry, clear day.

Pics of this Hike Here> http://www.flickr.com/photos/excape1/sets/72157622851438566/

Mt. Major 11/7/09

Difficulty: Moderate (steep and rough especially on ledges)


Directions: From Alton, NH take Rt. 11 West and follow it for about 6 miles. Trail head parking lot is on the left (blue sign)

Report: With Scott down for the count with the flu I figured I would tag along with parents and hike Mt. Major in order to still get out and get some hikn' done. I met them at the lot at 9:10am, there were already a dozen cars there on this sunny day. Off we went keeping to the right of the forks which are now blocked on the left sides. My father 53 year old father kept a quick pace jogging back and forth at times I kept up to about half way, but I am not used to that pace and don't have the cardio stamina he does so I dropped back with mom. We past but a couple people and only a couple at the top (others must have went on to the other peaks).
Views were outstanding. It has been two years since I have been up on my hometown mountain and that was before I new the WMNF peaks as well as I do now. I didn't realize how many are visible from this bald peak. To the NorthEast was snow capped Moosilauke, then Sandwich Dome, Whiteface, Passaconaway, Snow capped Monroe & Washington and then the Ossipee range. About 5 minutes rest then back down. We arrived back near the bottom when the crowds began to shuffle in.

I took pics on the way down of boulders and one imparticular rock that has a root fossil which I remember from years back as a kid...always been one of my favorite trail features (besides the enormous amount of boulders). Back at the now almost full lot a group grabbed our attention. They were about 15 Chinese people, in a circle doing stretches with the leader yelling out words in there native tongue. Looked like Chinese boot camp, good for them We arrived back at the car 10:20, just over an hour, awesome Now off to meet my brother where we got breakfast (Spanish Eggs Benidict for me, Mm, Mm, Mm!)

I must say I missed this mountain and plan to spend some time on it this winter. Still a great trail despite the large amount of traffic and the view is always fabulous.
Pics of this hike here> http://www.flickr.com/photos/excape1/sets/72157622754245970/