Kedron Flume 3/20/10

It was one of those mornings where we would decide what to hike spur of the moment. I couldn't settle on anything the night before and thought, well, we will let fate guide us to the hike of the day. Not wanting to make the longer drive to the Western side of the WMNF we headed up Rt.16. We came to Mt. Chocorua which Scott mentioned as a hike the night before. I didn't want to hike it again just yet. It did however look pretty devoid of snow with crystal clear sky's above and I almost stopped figuring we could just do a trail we hadn't done yet...Coulda' Shoulda'!

Continuing North we arrived in Conway and the view from the Intervale to Washington, which was thickly clouded in. That scrapped my idea for a Boott Spur/Nelson to Lions Head loop. Probably a bad idea still with no snow shoes anyhow. So that led us into Crawford Notch. Mountains and trails buzzing through my mind like a slot machine and the numbers fell on Mt. Crawford. Something shorter would be nice so we could get back home at a decent time as we had a long day of work ahead of us on Sunday. We parked in the lot for Davis Path where a large group was heading up and two others parking. The lot was almost half full. Not ones for crowds we pulled out the map again...Coulda' Shoulda'!

Next stop the Willey House Site and Kedron Flume trail to Mt. Willey. Empty parking lot and sunny sky's looked good to us. We geared up and crossed the street easily finding the trailhead at 9:30am. The log book had seen a group of 4 and a solo hiker on the 18nth but the trail didn't show much but some post-holing spots. We too were already post-holing in the sun softened snow. The trail passes by some boulders making some very long switchbacks left and then right. We finally crossed the railroad tracks with a nice view North of Mt. Willard, then made a short steep climb up a wet banking. Then more switchbacks and post-holing. The trail swings left and crosses into a pine gully (which is seen from the parking lot, a perfect line of pines following a stream gully) and here we passed a large ice formation where water was running off a vertical rock face. This was a wild, pretty area.

Crossing back into hardwood and eventually back into pines again, dropped slightly and came into Kedron Flume at 11:15. Alomost 2 hrs. for a 1 mile, 700' elevation gain hike! Are you kidding me?! The Flume was still snow covered but the waterfall visible and the view to the south end of Webster Cliffs was nice. The trail ahead from here went straight up a was holding onto some deep snow. Scott gave me that look like, "I have had enough" to which I gave my usual, "just a little further" look. We talked about it and he was right. If we continued at this rate we would be very exhausted and would put us back at point "A" much later than we wanted. I too was getting pretty exhausted so we agreed to turn back.

Going back down was easier but the snow was even more soft now as we predicted and we were post-holing every few steps. I kept saying in my head, snow shoes next year... snow shoes next year... Already soaked boots and pants we decided to just cut the switchbakcs out and (the culvert visible) headed right down the gully to the railroad. Picked up the trail then cut the switchbacks off again following a small ridge, and picked up the trail again a hundred ft. from the trailhead and arrived back on tar at 12:15am. We changed our wet socks and footwear and crossed the bridge to the picnic area to have lunch.

Injuries for the day (mostly from post-holing): Scott: scratched head from (an abrupt stop from me) and him walking into my poles on my backpack, scuffed up shin and knee. Jason: Scuffed up knee and wrist.

First day of Spring, Coulda' Shoulda' settled with Chocorua or Crawford, but we still had fun, and this trail looks wild and awesome for a Spring/Summer hike. I have to go back and re-read Joe's TR from when he did this hike. Re-do is emminant once snow is gone!
 
Pics HERE

Mts. Major & Straightback 3/13/10

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 no ambition to tackle the Northern peaks or the drive there and with the pending windy, rainy forecast for later in the afternoon Scott and I decided to stay close to home. So we packed lightly and headed for Mt. Major with the hope to explore some of the other trails that I have been hearing about. Growing up climbing Major I never ventured off of the main trail and didn't know just how much hiking there is to do on the Belknap Range. We started out on the Main/Mt. Major trail at 8:15am, the regulars already there, Art being one of those. I noticed a basic trail map on a tree that I don't think I ever looked at before and noticed that I have had my trail names mixed up. I always thought the Main/Mt. Major trail was the Boulder trail and thought Boulder trail was the Brook trail...But the Boulder trail leaves the left side of the parking lot, Mt. Main/Mt. Major trail the right side and Brook trail stays on the logging road where the main trail breaks right.
Back on to the trip report here, the sky was overcast but the sun managed to peak through the clouds quite a bit today. Winds were certainly blowing, right through the trees even. The trail went back-and-forth from crusty packed snow to bare ground and taking a left at the Brook trail junction the snow took over with only some rock hopping on the trail and bare sections of rock on the lower an middle ledge areas, all barebootable but spikes wouldn't have hurt. Trash was showing up under the melting snow which was a bit depressing. I picked up wht I could particularly a Pringles can. Also I tried to fix the strings blocking the re-vegitation areas but some were still under frozen granular. We scaled the snow covered ledges and made Mt. Major (1786') summit around 9:30 (first stopping on some ledges below to take pics in a more wind protected spot). We took some more pics of Lake Winnipesaukee thawing out, the clear sky's North to Mt. Washington and continued on to the West side of the mountain and picked up the blue and yellow blazed trail that I had never know about!

Down some easy, pretty ledges we dropped back into the trails passing the Brook trail junction (where a small beech tree branch nearly took my eye, there were many on these on the back trails at eye level) then the Quarry Spur trail junction. Onward keeping left at both of these junctions we passed through some woods, past a small boulder and up and down some very minor PUDS. Soon we climbed opening up into an open knoll dotted with small pine trees. Then reached the cairn topped rock summit of Straightback Mt. (1890') just after 10am. Pictures taken we headed back down (removing a small blow down) the way we came and took a left onto Brook Trail. Here we passed a group of three men with Full packs, GPS units and a metal detector. I asked what they had planned and they said they were doing Major and Straightback...a bit overboard I thought and what do they plan on finding with a metal detector? But I'm not judging anyone. Down we went reaching the brook then down the logging road back to the Main trail and parking lot, finishing at 11:30am.

This was a pleasant loop hike that I plan to do more often. And I am certainly looking forward to checking out the trails and mountains around and beyond this area in the future.

Trip Overview:
Total Mileage: 4.6 miles
Total Elevation Gain: Approx. 1,450 ft.
Total Trip Time: 3hrs, 15min.
Weather/trail: Overcast with some sun. Temps in low 40's? Moderate winds on South side of Major and on the summits. Trail well packed, light traction recomended.

Pics of this hike HERE

Kearsarge North Mt. 3/7/10

What a surprise! Sorry, getting ahead of myself here...
Leaving our winter jackets behind we started our hike up a well packed Mount Kearsarge North Trail at 8:30am. The trail begins gradual giving you a nice warm up as pass by many boulders. About a mile in, the trail begins to climb steeply following the East bank of the Kearsarge Brook. When you reach the ridge crest the trail moderates as it climbs over the ledges (covered in snow for this hike). Views start to open up across to the Moats, Chocorua and Carrigain. The forest on this mountain is spectacular. Large stands of hardwoods and a pleasing collection of Pines, including my favorite the Red Pine which dominated the ledge areas. Boreal Oak Moss was also plentiful here. Once past these ledge areas the trail curles West into what seemed to be another world! We went from bright, 56 degree weather with 1 foot deep snow to a dark pine forest with temps. dropping to 38 degrees and 2 ft. + snow! We shivered through this seemingly long section, grudgingly putting the light gloves and hats back on. The trail then climbs the North side of the mountain then West again with restricted views to Washington and Madison before breaking through the tree line 100-200 ft. from the summit fire tower.

We arrived at the summit at 11:30am. A rainbow, fluffy clouds and spectacular sunshine. The 270* view was impressive, only blocked by some small pines to the North. The Old Fire Tower (the last in the White Mountain National Forest) was actually glassed in! We carefully climbed the steps which had accumulated a little rime ice. The view from the observation area now opened up to 360*! A surprising view indeed. SO MUCH to take in! Starting at the Ossippee range across to Chocorua and the Sandwich Range, Green Hills Preserve, Moat Range, Pemi Wilderness, Franconia Notch, Twin Range, Crawford Notch, the Presidential Range, Pinkham Notch, Carter-Moriah Range, Carter Notch, Baldface-Royce Range, Evans Notch, the Double Heads, and finally into Maine's sprawling farm land along Rt. 113 and the Pleasant Mt. Range. Wow, wow, wow!! And the clarity today like I have never seen!

A man in his late 50's sooned joined us (I failed to get his name) who claimed to hike this mountain regularly. I asked if he lived nearby and he spoke of what we all dream about. He traded his home in Mass. for a studio apartment and got a place in the Conway area and planned to retire soon and live in the mountains, smart guy! He also mentioned of a 70 year old man (there abouts) who jogs this mountain to ready himself each year for the Mt. Washington foot race (he told me his name but I forgot it). We chatted a bit, had lunch and just basked in the view. The visitor book signed (Excape & Ascender) and pics taken we decided to head on down.

We started back at 11:50am passing many people coming up, most with dogs. We arrived back at Hurricane Mountain Rd. just after 1pm. This surely goes down on the top of my list for best view especially for such a short trip. It rises well above the surrounding mountains giving you the feeling of a higher peak and the view to countless peaks and wilderness areas, and seeing all the notches from one spot was pretty neat.

Trip Overview:

Total Time: 4.5 hrs.
Total Mileage: 6.2 miles
Total Elevation Gain: 2,600 ft.
Weather: Perfect! Sunny; high, fluffy, unusually shaped clouds; temps. ranged from the upper 30's in shaded/West and North areas to mid 50's at base and summit; light wind; well packed trail with some ice.

Pics of this hike HERE

Mt. Major 2/27/10

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: The heavy snow up North keeping me from hiking (no snow shoes) I stayed South and we did our usual up Mt. Major. Everything was covered and encased with snow, it was very pretty. The summit area was enveloped in fog which blended with the snow covered summit cone. Another mild day and always nice to spend some time with Mom! Also got to meet Art when we were descending. My mom always talks about seeing him on the trail. He is 70 (I think she said) and he hikes up and down the Major 2-4 times (back-to-back) everyday. A very pleasant, smart guy. Also talked to his friend who was asking about my White Mountain excursions. They mentioned two cat tracks down near the bottom of the trail and they were wondering if they might be Bobcat or Lynx tracks which certainly got my attention. I found them later on and based on the 1 inch length and checking my book back home it looks nothing more than a gray fox...oh, well.
Check the pics HERE