Bushwhack: Whaleback South & Big Coolidge

Posted on 12 December, 2021 by Cade

On a pleasant Sunday in December Jeff, Michael, Richard and I bushwhacked to Whaleback South and Big Coolidge just outside of Lincoln, New Hampshire to hit a couple New Hampshire 200 Highest peaks. Half of the hike was up the Old Osseo Trail, which had cairns and yellow blazes. The out and backs to Whaleback South and Big Coolidge were bushwhacks through mostly open forest.

ROUTE

Parked at small lot on corner of Osseo Road and Fox Run Road in Loon Village in Lincoln, NH
Walk around Osseo Road to Old Osseo Trail
Hike up Old Osseo Trail to elevation of 2800′
Bushwhack ESE to summit of Whaleback South and back
Left on Old Osseo Trail to elevation of 1700′
Bushwhack W to summit of Big Coolige and back
Right on Old Osseo Trail back to Osseo Road

PHOTOS

STATS

Date: 12 December 2021
Distance: 7.1 miles
Moving Time: 03:23:59
Pace: 28:28/mile
Elevation Gain: 3684′

Contact Me

maine.wanderlust@gmail.com

Hike: Black Cap, Cranmore, Hurricane

Posted on 6 June, 2021 by Cade

I shot up to the White Mountains to do some tracing of trails and a couple New Hampshire 500 Highest peaks. After the easy hike to Black Cap I headed to Cranmore Mountain and caught sight of a black bear cub off in the forest. I passed a bunch of mountain bikers on Cranmore Trail and wish I had brought my wallet when I discovered that there was an ice cream shop (with beer) at the top of the ski lifts. After heading back to the trail head I bushwhacked up to Hurricane Mountain. I decided to head down the road a little ways to approach the climb where it was less steep, but halfway up I found an old trail with blazes and cairns, and followed it to the summit and back down to the road (the more eastern route on the below map).

ROUTE

Parked at Black Cap Trail Head on Hurricane Road in Conway, New Hampshire
Hiked Black Cap Trail to summit of Black Cap
Right on Black Cap Spur to intersection with Black Cap Connector
Right on Black Cap Connector to intersection with Black Cap Trail
Left on Black Cap Trail to intersection with Cranmore Trail
Left on Cranmore Trail to summit of Cranmore Mountain and back
Left on Black Cap Trail to Trail Head
Left on Hurricane Road to get to more gentle slope of Hurricane Mountain
Bushwhack up Hurricane Mountain to old Hurricane Mountain Trail
Left on old Hurricane Mountain Trail to summit and back to road
Left on Hurricane Road back to Trail Head

PHOTOS

STATS

Date: 06 June 2021
Distance: 6.3 miles
Moving Time: 02:15:43
Pace: 21:42/mile
Elevation Gain: 1581′

Tracing White Mountains Trails:
Black Cap Trail
Cranmore Trail
Black Cap Spur

Contact Me

maine.wanderlust@gmail.com

Bushwhack: The Twins and Shaw

Posted on 9 May, 2021 by Cade

I thought I’d be worn out after doing a training hike on Mount Chocorua the day before, but my legs felt fresh and I had a free day. So, I was targeted an area of the White Mountains closest to me with trails I haven’t hiked and peaks on the New Hampshire 500 Highest list. I ended up chosing Province Pond Trail and the northern peak of The Twins, and Mount Shaw. It looked like a nice combo of trail and bushwhack, and the total distance would only be around 6.5 miles. A shorter distance as it was approaching noon when I decided to go. What I didn’t expect was that the fire road leading to the trailhead was closed, which added another 4 miles. There were some rocky climbs during the bushwhack, and I came across a mountainside covered with hundreds of trillium, more than I’ve ever seen in once place. The views around Province Pond were particularly beautiful.

ROUTE

Parked at gate on FR450 off Green Hill Road in Chatham, NH
Hiked FR450 to Province Pond Trail
Left on Province Pond Trail to crossing of stream near Province Pond
Bushwhack to west to The Twins North Peak
Bushwhack to north to Mount Shaw
Bushwhack to east to FR39
Right to intersection with Province Pond Trail
Right on Province Pond Trail to Province Pond Shelter and back to trailhead on FR450
Right on FR450 back to gate

PHOTOS

STATS

Date: 09 May 2021
Distance: 10.6 miles
Moving Time: 03:36:48
Pace: 20:22/mile
Elevation Gain: 2552′

Tracing White Mountains Trails:
Province Pond Trail

Contact Me

maine.wanderlust@gmail.com

Hike: Little Wildcat, Carter Dome, Hight

Posted on 27 March, 2021 by Cade

Jeff and I originally wanted to get one last hike in before the end of winter, but when I couldn’t swing it we instead hiked the next weekend. The idea was to Grid the Wildcats and Carters, as well as do some White Mountain trail tracing, and a couple small AT sections for me. We originally planned to hike up Wildcat Ski Resort, but shortly after arriving we were turned around and told that there was no uphill travel while the ski lifts are running. So we adjusted our plans and landed on just doing the Carters from Nineteen Mile Brook to northern trailhead of Imp Trail (where my car was already planted). On the way up Nineteen Mile we decided to do Little Wildcat Mountain, a New Hampshire 200 Highest, on a whim. But the day warmed up, and the snow turned to mashed potatoes. By the time we slogged out Little Wildcat and ascended Carter Dome I was exhausted. We ended up just doing Mount Hight and out. A good example for future me of being flexible enough to change plans and route to ensure the day is enjoyable.

ROUTE

Parked at Nineteen Mile Brook parking on Route 16 in Gorham, NH
Hike Nineteen Mile Brook Trail to around 2650′
Bushwhack to Little Wildcat Mountain and back
Continue up Nineteen Mile Brook Trail to intersection with Carter-Moriah Trail
Left on Carter-Moriah Trail over Carter Dome and Mount Hight to intersection with Carter Dome Trail at Zeta Pass
Left on Carter Dome Trail to Nineteen Mile Brook Trail
Right on Nineteen Mile Brook Trail back to parking

PHOTOS

VIDEO

STATS

Date: 27 March 2021
Distance: 10.8 miles
Moving Time: 04:44:46
Pace: 26:24/mile
Elevation Gain: 4524′

Contact Me

maine.wanderlust@gmail.com

Winter Hike: Duck Pond Mountain

Posted on 13 February, 2021 by Cade

On a beautifully cold February day, John, Jeff, Richard and I snowshoed up to Nancy Pond so we could bushwhack to another New Hampshire 200 Highest peak, the viewless Duck Pond Mountain. A few inches of powder over a packed trail made for good traction, and the bushwhack to Duck Pond was a little thick but otherwise easy. The highlight of the day was the perfect sun halo, and snowshoeing over the frozen Norcross Pond to the view of the Bonds across the Pemigewasset Wilderness.

ROUTE

Parked Nancy Pond Trail parking off Route 302 in Hart’s Location, NH
Snowshoed Nancy Pond Trail to Nancy Pond
Bushwhack to summit of Duck Pond Mountain and back
Bushwhack across Nancy Pond and Norcross Pond and back
Snowshoed down Nancy Pond Trail back to car

PHOTOS

STATS

Date: 13 February 2021
Distance: 9.2 miles
Moving Time: 04:20:15
Pace: 28:25/mile
Elevation Gain: 2785′

Contact Me

maine.wanderlust@gmail.com

Winter Hike: Howe, Shelburne Moriah, Moriah

Posted on 22 December, 2020 by Cade

Jeff, John, Michael and I planned on taking a day off to hike Mount Washington on the second day of winter. The forecast showed Mount Washington in the clouds all day with gusty winds from the Northwest, and a some snow and increased winds in the afternoon. So we switched up our plans and did Mount Moriah via a Howe Peak bushwhack and over Shelburne Moriah Mountain. The weather and views weren’t great but I knocked off a New Hampshire 200 Highest, two trails red-lined, a new section of the AT, and got Mount Moriah for my December Grid and New Hampshire Winter 4000 Footer list.

ROUTE

Left vehicle at Rattle River Trail parking off Route 2 in Shelburne, NH
Parked at Shelburne Trail North parking off Conner Road in Shelburne, NH
Hiked up Shelburne Trail to intersection with Kenduskeag Trail
Bushwhacked east to Howe Peak and back
Turned right on Kenduskeag Trail over Shelburne Moriah Mountain to intersection with Carter-Moriah Trail
Turned right on Carter-Moriah Trail to Moriah spur trail
Turned left on Moriah spur trail and climbed to Mount Moriah summit and back
Turned right on Carter-Moriah Trail back to intersection with Kenduskeag Trail
Turned left on Kenduskeag Trail and returned to intersection with Rattle River Trail
Turned left on Rattle River Trail and hiked down to parking lot

PHOTOS

STATS

Date: 22 December 2020
Distance: 14.8 miles
Moving Time: 07:18
Pace: 29:33/mile
Elevation Gain: 4019′

Tracing White Mountains Trails:
Kenduskeag Trail
Rattle River Trail

Contact Me

maine.wanderlust@gmail.com

Hike: Big Bickford, Lafayette & Eagle Cliff

Posted on 12 December, 2020 by Cade

Jeff, Richard and I headed to Franconia Notch on a relatively warm November day to ascend a few New Hampshire 200 Highest peaks. We also redlined a couple of trails and hit Mount Lafayette because it was in between. Big Bickford Mountain and Eagle Cliff didn’t have trails and were about as opposite as bushwhacks could be. Big Bickford was a fairly level and wide open bushwhack. While Eagle Cliff was shorter, it was much thicker and basically a cliff scramble in places. Due to mashed potato-like snow underfoot, the trip took longer than expected, and we finished the bushwhack and hike out by headlamp.

ROUTE

Left car at Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway parking lot on Tramway Drive, Franconia, NH
Started at Skookumchuck Trail parking off Route 3 in Franconia, NH
Hiked up Skookumchuck Trail to point at level with col between trail and Big Bickford Mountain
Bushwhacked north to Big Bickford Mountain and back
Continued left on Skookumchuck Trail to intersection with Garfield Ridge Trail
Turn right on Garfield Ridge Trail to Mount Lafayette summit
Turn right on Greenleaf Trail to gap at Eagle Cliff
Bushwhacked west to Eagle Cliff and back
Turn right on Greenleaf Trail and continued to trailhead near Tramway Drive

PHOTOS

STATS

Date: 12 December 2020
Distance: 12.2 miles
Moving Time: 06:59
Pace: 34:17/mile
Elevation Gain: 4628′

Tracing White Mountains Trails:
Greenleaf Trail
Skookumchuck Trail

Contact Me

maine.wanderlust@gmail.com

Hike: Paugus and Chocorua

Posted on 21 November, 2020 by Cade

I hadn’t done Mount Paugus, and had a whole bunch of Tracing the White Mountains Trails to do, so I joined Jeff and Yudi for a hike. Not only did we enjoy the view at the south peak of Mount Paugus, but we also made the gnarly bushwhack out to the true summit for our New Hampshire 200 Highest lists. After Paugus, we continued to the always wonderful Mount Chocorua to finish up a few trails on its western side. It was a long but great day in the woods.

ROUTE

Parked at Liberty Trail parking on Chocorua Mountain Road, Albany, NH
Hiked up Chocorua Mountain Road to Whitin Brook Trail
Left on Whitin Brook Trail to Cabin Trail
Right on Cabin Trail to Lawrence Trail
Right on Lawrence Trail to south peak of Mount Paugus
Bushwhack to Mount Paugus true summit and back
Left on Old Paugus Trail to intersection of Bee Line Trail
Left on Bee Line Trail to Brook Trail
Left on Brook Trail to intersection with West Side Trail
Left on West Side Trail to Three Sister’s Trail
Right on Three Sister’s Trail to summit of Mount Chocorua
Down Liberty Trail to parking lot

PHOTOS

STATS

Date: 21 November 2020
Distance: 15.1 miles
Moving Time: 06:47:48
Pace: 26:58/mile
Elevation Gain: 5021′

Tracing White Mountains Trails:
Liberty Trail
West Side Trail
Bee Line Trail Chocorua Branch
Bee Line Trail Paugus Branch
Whitin Brook Trail

Contact Me

maine.wanderlust@gmail.com

Hike: Engine Hill and Isolation

Posted on 15 November, 2020 by Cade

Jeff and I took advantage of a mid-November day with no snow on the ground to do some Tracing White Mountains Trails. We headed to the Dry River Wilderness where I traced 4 trails, got Mount Isolation for the 4th time on my Grid, and we bushwhacked South Engine Hill, adding it to our New Hampshire 200 Highest lists.

If you reproduce the bushwhack I highly suggest taking our western return route, it was wide open birch glade, while our more eastern route was thick spruce. head beyond the Engine Hill height of land and down to 3050′, head south until you are west of the peak and just climb uphill to the semi-clear summit.

ROUTE

Left car at Rocky Branch South Trailhead on Jericho Road, Glen, NH
Started at Rocky Brach North Trailhead of Pinkham Notch Road, Jackson, NH
Hiked up Rocky Branch Trail – North to height of land near Engine Hill
Bushwhacked south to South Engine Hill and back
Continued left on Rocky Branch Trail – North to intersection with Isolation Trail – East
Right on Isolation Trail – East to intersection with Davis Path
Left on Davis Path to intersection with Mount Isolation Spur
Right up Mount Isolation Spur to Mount Isolation and back to Davis Path
Left on Davis Path to intersection with Isolation Trail – East
Right on Isolation Trail – East to intersection with Rocky Branch Trail – South
Straight on Rocky Branch Trail – South to intersection with Stairs Col Trail
Right on Stairs Col Trail to intersection with Davis Path and back to Rocky Branch Trail – South
Right on Rocky Branch Trail – South to Rocky Branch South Trailhead

PHOTOS

STATS

Date: 15 November 2020
Distance: 23.4 miles
Moving Time: 09:03
Pace: 23:15/mile
Elevation Gain: 5145′

Tracing White Mountains Trails:
Stairs Col Trail
Rocky Branch Trail – North
Rocky Branch Trail – South
Isolation Trail – East

Contact Me

maine.wanderlust@gmail.com

Trail Run: AT Surplus Mountain

Posted on 19 July, 2020 by Cade

Fueled by my previous hike where I completed a section of the Appalachian Trail, I headed to western Maine to do the same. In my mind I was going to take a few hours to trail run from the AT trailhead to Baldpate Mountain and back. It would complete another small section of the Appalachian Trail. In reality it took me nearly those two hours to do the first climb, Surplus Mountain, and I sucked down all of my water in the process. I still completed a small section, but now I’ll have to return to connect the in-between.

At the trail head I met a Native American AT thru hiker, True North, and his dog. He was keeping an eye out for a reportedly sick thru hiker, Mango, to give him a ride to town. I told him I’d keep an eye out for him, but I didn’t come across Mango during my run.