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′
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′
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′
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′
This winter hike up Mount Washington was almost cancelled because of the forecast, but we lucked out with a nice window of weather on the morning of President’s Day. The trails were perfectly packed and there was very little ice, but I was still very glad for my new crampons and ice ax while going up and down the Lion’s Head winter route. The weather on the summit was very mild and my group of four shared it with a group of skiers that came up the cog railway.
ROUTE
Parked at Pinkham Notch Visitor Center of Route 16, Jackson, NH
Hiked up Tuckerman Ravine Trail to intersection with Fire Road
Turned right on Fire Road to intersection with Lion’s Head Trail (Winter Route)
Turned left on Lion’s Head Trail (Winter Route) to intersection with Tuckerman Ravine Trail
Turned right on Tuckerman Ravine Trail to summit of Mount Washington
Same route back to parking lot
PHOTOS
STATS
Date: 15 February 2021 Distance: 7.9 miles Moving Time: 03:27:03 Pace: 26:14/mile Elevation Gain: 4606′
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′
It was February already and I hadn’t yet gone for a hike. I was getting stir-crazy, so Lindsay convinced me to get to the mountains for my health. I chose to do the Doubleheads as they were the closest New Hampshire 200 Highest peaks I hadn’t done. I got up at 4am and to the trailhead just before sunrise. I was unsure if it was kosher to hike up the ski trail, but there was a sign explaining trail manners for doing so. If I wasn’t redlining, or first person up the mountain, then the best trail up Doublehead was Old Path. But, there was a packed trail from people skinning up and I hardly left a mark. After the ski trail the remaining trails were unbroken, which was specially fun floating down New Path. I added some extra vert by redlining Old Path before heading to South Doublehead.
ROUTE
Parked at Doublehead Ski Trail parking off Dundee Road, Jackson, NH
Snowshoe up Doublehead Ski Trail to summit of North Doublehead
Turn right on Old Path to intersection with New Path
Turn right on Old Path to intersection with Doublehead Ski Trail and return to previous intersection
Turn right on New Path to Summit of South Doublehead and continue to intersection with South Doublehead View Spur
Turn left on South Doublehead View Spur to view and return to intersection
Turn left on New Path and follow to Dundee Road
Turn right on Dundee Road and follow back to parking
PHOTOS
STATS
Date: 06 February 2021 Distance: 5.0 miles Moving Time: 02:32:19 Pace: 30:35/mile Elevation Gain: 2746′
Maine Wanderlust 