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: Mount Shaw

Posted on 28 November, 2020 by Cade

For my birthday, Lindsay and I drove to New Hampshire to hike Mount Shaw, a 52 with a View peak, near Lake Winnipesaukee. It was a good climb up to Black Snout where we stopped for lunch. The hike was easy from there, though clouds and flurries had rolled and obscured the views. The descent was steep but pleasant and the sun came back out for the end of the hike. He stopped at Back Hill Brewing in Rochester to pick up a growler of their double IPA before heading back to Maine.

ROUTE

Parked at Shaw Trail parking on Mountain Road, Center Tuftonboro, NH
Hiked up Shaw Trail to intersection with Italian Trail
Right on Italian Trail to intersection with Big Ball Mountain Trail
Left on Big Ball Mountain Trail over Tate Mountain to the intersection with High Ridge Trail and Black Snout Spur Trail
Left on Black Snout Spur Trail to the summit of Black Snout and back
Left on High Ridge Trail to summit of Mount Shaw
Return down High Ridge Trail to intersection with Shaw Trail
Right on Shaw Trail back to parking lot

PHOTOS

STATS

Date: 28 November 2020
Distance: 7.7 miles
Moving Time: 03:48
Pace: 29:38/mile
Elevation Gain: 2527′

Contact Me

maine.wanderlust@gmail.com

Hike: Royces

Posted on 27 November, 2020 by Cade

In the seemingly never-ending pursuit to hike the New Hampshire 200 Highest and to red-line the White Mountains National Forest trails, I headed to one of my favorite areas to hike: Evan’s Notch. I originally planned to hike on both sides of the notch, starting with the Royces, and then heading over to Speckled and Blueberry Mountains on the east side. But, black ice on the trail slowed my pace, and my feet hurt (endless battle with plantar fasciitis). So, I bailed after East Royce to get done before dark. Plenty of waterfalls to see on this hike, and the view on East Royce was surprisingly excellent.

ROUTE

Parked at Basin Pond on Basin Road in Chatham, NH
Hiked Basin Trail to intersection with Hermit Falls Loop
Left on Hermit Falls Loop to Hermit Falls and around to Basin Trail
Right on Basin Trail to red-line and then up to Rim Junction
Right on Basin Rim Trail to West Royce and continued to intersection with Royce Connector Trail
Left on Royce Connector Trail to intersection with East Royce Trail
Left on East Royce Trail to summit of East Royce and back to intersection
Right on Royce Connector Trail to intersection with Royce Trail
Left on Royce Trail to trail head on Route 113
Right on Route 113, then right on Basin Road, and back to parking lot

PHOTOS

STATS

Date: 27 November 2020
Distance: 11.5 miles
Moving Time: 05:00:46
Pace: 26:10/mile
Elevation Gain: 3570′

Tracing White Mountains Trails:
Basin Trail
Hermit Falls Loop
Royce Trail
Royce Connector 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

Hike: Passaconaway & Square Ledge

Posted on 4 October, 2020 by Cade

Lindsay and I hiked our first New Hampshire 4000 Footer together on a beautiful October weekend. After hitting Mount Passaconaway and its viewpoint, we headed out to Square Ledge to check out the retired 52 with a View.

ROUTE

Parked at Ferncroft Trailhead parking on Ferncroft Road in Albany, NH
Hiked up Old Mast Road to 4-Way Intersection
Left on Walden Trail to summit of Mount Passaconaway
Left on Passaconaway View Spur to viewpoint and back
Left back down Walden Trail to intersection with Square Ledge Trail
Left on Square Ledge Trail to Square Ledge and back to 4-Way Intersection
Left on Old Mast Road back to parking

PHOTOS

STATS

Date: 04 October 2020
Distance: 10.9 miles
Moving Time: 06:06:08
Pace: 33:32/mile
Elevation Gain: 4058′

Tracing White Mountains Trails:
Old Mast Road
Walden Trail
Square Ledge Trail

Contact Me

maine.wanderlust@gmail.com

Trail Run: Eastern Belknaps

Posted on 27 September, 2020 by Cade

This summer I attempted to run all of the Belknap Range mountains in a single run, but bailed because I didn’t bring enough water. I returned to run the mountains I missed for a long training run. It was a beautiful day and the trails were runnable.

ROUTE

Parked at Straightback Mountain Trail on Jesus Valley Road in Alton, NH
Hiked Straightback Mountain Trail to Jesus Valley Trail
Straight on Jesus Valley Trail to Main Trail
Ran right on Main Trail to Mount Major and then back to Quarry Spur Trail
Right on Quarry Spur Trail to Quarry Trail
Right on Quarry Trail to North Straightback Mountain, East Quarry Mountain, West Quarry Mountain, Mount Rand, Mount Klem, and back to intersection with Red Trail
Right on Red Trail to Mount Mack and Mount Anna
Left on Blue Trail to Straightback Mountain
Right on Straightback Mountain Trail back to parking area

PHOTOS

STATS

Date: 27 September 2020
Distance: 10.1 miles
Moving Time: 03:08
Pace: 18:33/mile
Elevation Gain: 2958′

Contact Me

maine.wanderlust@gmail.com

Trail Race: 2020 Beast of the East

Posted on 20 September, 2020 by Cade

Not surprisingly, the races I planned to run this year were cancelled due to Covid-19. So I was pretty pumped when I heard that the Beast of the East half marathon was going to happen. It had been on my radar for a couple of years, so I signed up for it right away. Bibs were sent out to runners and the start was done in heats of 50 people socially distanced by cones with bib numbers on them spaced out six feet apart. I was grateful for some normalcy and the day was perfectly cool and dry for a race.

ROUTE

The race started from the beach at Echo Lake
Ran south on Echo Lake Trail to Bryce Path
Turned left on Bryce Path to Bryce Link
Turned right on Bryce Link to Cathedral Ledge Road
Followed an unnamed trail along Cathedral Ledge Road to top of Cathedral Ledge
Jumped on Bryce Path to White Horse Ledge Trail
Turned right on White Horse Ledge Trail to White Horse Ledge and on to Red Ridge Link
Turned right on Red Ridge Link to Red Ridge Trail
Turned left on Red Ridge Trail to Moat Mountain Trail
Art the top of the ridge, turned right on Moat Mountain Trail to North Moat Mountain summit and continued down to Red Ridge Trail
Crossed the river to take Red Ridge Trail back to Red Ridge Link
Turned left on Red Ridge Link back to White Horse Ledge Trail
Continuing right on White Horse Ledge Trail to Bryce Path
Turned right on Bryce Path and headed back toward Echo Lake Trail
Continuing left along Echo Lake Trail to the beach at Echo Lake and the race’s finish

PHOTOS

STATS

Date: 20 September 2020
Distance: 13.1 miles
Pace: 16:30/mile
Elevation Gain: 4429′

Time: 03:35:13
Place: 81/130
M40-49: 20/31

Tracing White Mountains Trails:
Red Ridge Trail
Red Ridge Link
Bryce Link

Contact Me

maine.wanderlust@gmail.com

Trail Run: Mount Israel

Posted on 9 September, 2020 by Cade

I needed a long mountainous trail run for my training schedule, and Jeff came along to try out some trail running. We decided on Mount Israel to knock off a 52 with a View peak and do a little Tracing White Mountains Trails. It was a cloudy day so we had no view, but we saw some bears. A cub crossed the street on the drive in, and I spotted another while we were running along Guinea Pond Trail heading toward Sandwich Notch Road. In all my years running and hiking in the White Mountains, it was only the second time I’ve seen a bear.

ROUTE

Parked at Mead Base parking
Hiked up Wentworth Trail to Mount Israel Summit
Ran down Mead Trail to Guinea Pond Trail
Turned right on Guinea Pond Trail to Guinea Pond Side Path and Guinea Pond and back out
Turned right on Guinea Pond Trail following it to High Water Bypass and on to Sandwich Notch Road
Turned left on Sandwich Notch Road to Bearcamp River Trail
Turned left on Bearcamp River Trail to Beede Falls and back to Sandwich Notch Road
Turned left on To Lower Falls Trail to Lower Falls and then back to Bearcamp River Trail
Turned right on Bearcamp River Trail past Cow Caves to Mead Base parking