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′
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′
The Taconic Crest Trail is the third Northeast Ultra 8 hike that I completed. It traverses a mountain range that makes up the northern half of the border between Massachusetts and New York and hits Vermont for a hot minute. Jeff, John, Michael and I got a Tentrr in Vermont for the night before and after, and hiked the trail on a perfect Saturday in May. The trail mostly cuts through mellow terrain in hardwood forest with the occasional vista and pond, but there are definitely a few climbs not to scoff at. We were alone for the most part but we started to see people around Berlin Mountain, and White Rocks with its Snow Hole seemed popular.
SET UP
Water stash at Petersburg Pass parking off Route 2 in Petersburg, NY
Car drop at Taconic Crest Trail parking off Route 346 in Petersburg, NY
Car drop with resupply at parking on Madden Road in Hancock, MA
ROUTE
Parked at Taconic Crest Trail parking off Route 20 in Hancock, MA
Hiked Taconic Crest Trail over Tower Mountain to Berry Pond Circuit Road
Left on Berry Pond Circuit Road to Taconic Crest Trail
Left on Taconic Crest Trail over Berry Hill to Potter Mountain Road
Left on Potter Mountain Road to Main Street
Right on Main Street to Madden Road
Left on Madden Road to resupply car and Taconic Crest Trail
Straight on Taconic Crest Trail over Misery Mountain and Berlin Mountain to water stash at Petersburg Pass
Straight on Taconic Crest Trail over White Rocks and Bald Mountain to Route 346 parking
PHOTOS
VIDEO
STATS
Date: 15 May 2021 Distance: 36.5 miles Moving Time: 12:01:54 Pace: 19:45/mile Elevation Gain: 8921′
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′
The weekend before our big Taconic Crest Trail traverse, Jeff, John and I headed to Mount Chocorua to get in a last training hike. We set up for a traverse over Mount Chocorua with 1.5 ascents of the mountain. We needed to get back to the Portland area in early afternoon so we started crazy early, which is always beneficial for finding parking and beating the crowds. It was perfect hiking weather with high clouds, and I was able to trace 3 new White Mountain trails.
ROUTE
Spotted car at Hammond Trail parking on Scott Road in Tamworth, NH
Parked car at White Ledge Campground entrance on Route 16 in Albany, NH
Hiked Carter Ledge Trail to intersection with Middle Sister Trail
Right on Middle Sister Trail over the Sisters and to intersection with Piper Trail
Left on Piper Trail to summit of Chocorua and back down to intersection with Penacook Shelter Spur
Right on Penacook Shelter Spur to the shelter and back
Right on Piper Trail to intersection with Wentamoo Trail
Right on Wentamoo Trail to Hammond Trail
Left on Hammond Trail to spotted car
PHOTOS
STATS
Date: 08 May 2021 Distance: 13.4 miles Moving Time: 05:16:18 Pace: 23:37/mile Elevation Gain: 4944′
On a nice day during their April vacation, I brought my sons up to Camden Hills State Park to hike the two most popular mountains in the park. We enjoyed the nice view of Camden from the top of Mount Battie, and continued past the ocean vistas to the viewless Mount Megunticook. After hiking out we headed to Rockport for some Flatbread before continuing home.
ROUTE
Parked at Camden Hills State Park off Belfast Road in Camden, ME
Walked up Mount Battie Road to Nature Trail trailhead
Hiked Nature Trail to intersection with Tablelands Trail
Left on Tablelands Trail to summit of Mount Battie and back
Continued up Tablelands Trail to intersection with Ridge Trail
Left on Ridge Trail to summit of Mount Megunticook and back to intersection with Mount Megunticook Trail
Left on Mount Megunticook Trail to campground and back to parked car
PHOTOS
STATS
Date: 20 April 2021 Distance: 5.6 miles Moving Time: 02:24:49 Pace: 25:41/mile Elevation Gain: 1647′
When I woke up with the birds at Trapper John Shelter, I made coffee and breakfast and started a fire in the stone chimney in front of the shelter. It was a quick hike down to Dartmouth Skiway where I met Jeff and we shuffled our cars, so we’d have one at the parking area for the end of the day. There were a lot of people out at Smarts Mountain, a New Hampshire 200 Highest, but the trail beyond the summit had not been broken out. I was feeling wet and cold at that point from pushing through the snowy trees, so there was a moment of doubt about continuing. But we pushed on, and the fast hike/jog down J Trail on the northern face of Smarts Mountain was one of my favorite parts of the day. After climbing Mount Cube, another NH200, with its nice views and unique quartz summit, we finished at my car at Gilman’s Corner. This and the previous day’s hike completed a nice 30+ miles section of the New Hampshire Appalachian Trail for me.
ROUTE
Started at Trapper John Shelter
Hiked up Trapper John Shelter Spur to intersection with Holts Ledge Trail
Left on Holts Ledge Trail to Dorchester Road
Right on Dorchester Road to Dartmouth Skiway Parking
Moved my vehicle from Dartmouth Lot A parking to Gilman’s Corner parking
Left on Dorchester Road to Lambert Ridge Trail
Right on Lambert Ridge Trail to summit of Smarts Mountain
Straight on J Trail to Kodak Trail
Straight on Kodak Trail to summit of Mount Cube
Right on Mount Cube Trail to car at Gilman’s Corner
PHOTOS
STATS
Date: 18 April 2021 Distance: 16.4 miles Moving Time: 06:47:37 Pace: 24:48/mile Elevation Gain: 5256′
As the snow began to melt in Spring, I was struck by trail fever. I needed to spend some time on the trail. But I knew that too much elevation would mean old snow and ice, which wouldn’t be pleasant. So I focused my attention to section hiking the Appalachian Trail in New Hampshire. With some coordination with Jeff, I selected a section from the New Hampshire and Vermont border, where on the second day Jeff could help me shift cars and we could get a couple New Hampshire 200 Highest mountains.
The first day of the hike was from Hanover, New Hampshire to the Trapper John Shelter near Dartmouth Skiway. Dartmouth College allows section hikers to park at A Lot if they call and leave info about their vehicle and how long it will be there. So I parked there and walked across campus to the Connecticut River to start. Of course it snowed the day before, so much of the day was through sticky snow that was the perfect depth to make it difficult to hike both with and without microspikes. I hardly saw anyone, just a trail crew at Velvet Rocks and a few people near South Moose Mountain. The sun was setting as I reached the vista at the top of Holts Ledge, my favorite spot for the day.
I set up in the Trapper John Shelter and had a facepalm moment as I chucked my new ultralight bear-hang kit into bear-hang tree. The paracord tangled as I threw it and I wasn’t holding or standing on the end. Every time you think you’re experienced at something, you do something stupid. I was getting ready for bed when a couple showed up, they had been following my tracks all day. We talked for a bit before they (successfully) hung their food and set up their tents nearby. The next day I would be hiking the AT to Gilman’s Corner with Jeff.
ROUTE
Parked car at A Lot Parking off Wheelock Street in Hanover, NH
Walked Wheelock Street to Connecticut River and back to intersection with South Main Street
Right on South Main Street to intersection with Lebanon Street
Left on Lebanon Street to intersection with South Park Street
Right on South Park Street to Velvet Rocks Trail
Left on Velvet Rocks Trail to Center Hanover Trail
Straight on Center Hanover Trail to Moose Mountain Trail
Straight on Moose Mountain Trail over Moose Mountain peaks and to Holts Ledge Trail
Straight on Holts Ledge Trail over Holts Ledge to intersection of Trapper John Shelter Spur
Left on Trapper John Shelter Spur to Trapper John Shelter
PHOTOS
STATS
Date: 17 April 2021 Distance: 18.8 miles Moving Time: 07:29:59 Pace: 23:58/mile Elevation Gain: 5161′
Lindsay and I got up early on a weekend in April to hike Pleasant Mountain for sunrise. We didn’t get to the summit before sunrise, but we did get to the vista from Ledges Trail for it. After enjoying the peaceful summit for a while we returned to our car.
ROUTE
Parked at Ledges Trail parking on Mountain Road in Denmark, ME
Hiked Ledges Trail to summit and back to car
PHOTOS
STATS
Date: 11 April 2021 Distance: 3.6 miles Moving Time: 01:47:27 Pace: 29:53/mile Elevation Gain: 1516′
Lindsay picked up a weekend shift in Lewiston and my car wasn’t registered, so no going to the mountains for me. Instead, I decided to see if I could walk to Lewiston before Lindsay’s shift was up. Because why not? I left shortly after she did and began walking back roads toward Lewiston. I nearly turned around at mile 10 when I got a hotspot on my foot and my legs began to ache. But I decided to push on. At mile 20 I laid down for about 10 minutes and elevated my feet on a tree stump. That did the trick, because by mile 22 I came out of the pain cave and the final 10 miles were cruizer. Lindsay ended up picking me up in Auburn. I was maybe an hour shy of reaching Lewiston, which was unfortunate because I had my eye on grabbing a beer at Baxter Brewing.
PORTLAND ROUTE
Walked down Congress Street to Eastern Promenade Street
Left on Eastern Promenade Street to Eastern Prom Midslope Trail
Right on Eastern Prom Midslope Trail to Loring Stairs
Right on Loring Stairs to Bayside Trail
Right on Bayside Trail to Back Cove Trail
Left on Back Cove Trail to Washington Avenue
Right on Washington Avenue to Presumpscot Street
Right on Presumpscot Street to Ocean Avenue
Right on Ocean Avenue to Falmouth
FALMOUTH ROUTE
Walked down Middle Road to Longwoods Road
Straight onto Longwoods Road to Cumberland
CUMBERLAND ROUTE
Walked down Longwoods Road to Main Street
Straight onto Main Street with break at Greeley High School and on to North Yarmouth
NORTH YARMOUTH ROUTE
Walked down Cumberland Road to Walnut Hill Road
Left on Walnut Hill Road to Memorial Highway
Right on Memorial Highway to Village Square Road
Left on Village Square Road to Sam Ristich Trail
Right on Sam Ristich Trail to Oak Hill Road
Right on Oak Hill Road to Memorial Highway
Left on Memorial Highway with break at Baston Park to West Pownal Road
Left on West Pownal Road to Lawrence Road
Right on Lawrence Road to Pownal
POWNAL ROUTE
Walked down Lawrence Road with break at Tyron Mountain trailhead to Auburn Pownal Road
Right on Auburn Pownal Road to Durham
DURHAM ROUTE
Walked down Auburn Pownal Road to Auburn
AUBURN ROUTE
Walked down Pownal Road to Fickett Road
Right on Fickett Road to Sopers Mill Road
Left on Sopers Mill Road to Penley Corner Road
Right on Penley Corner Road to Riverside Drive
Left on Riverside Drive until picked up at Maine Turnpike underpass
VIDEO
STATS
Date: 3 April 2021 Distance: 31.8 miles Moving Time: 09:05:25 Pace: 17:09/mile Elevation Gain: 2425′
Maine Wanderlust 