[VAULT] Mt. Willard (White Mountain National Forest)

Mt. Willard (White Mountain National Forest)

Hike Type: Out-and-Back

Distance: 3.4 miles

Elevation: 927 feet

Time: Unknown
Hiking Challenges: 52 With-a-View

The Hike

This one was a quick and easy(ish - my heart was pounding but it wasn't long at all) after a fun weekend of hiking up north with Emma (hitting Magalloway, Averill, and Brousseau before hitting Willard on my return trip). I hit the trail just before 8:00am and there were somehow few cars around. I had most of the hike to myself, minus a few folks who were in better shape hiking past me! I remember enjoying the cascades along the trail, and just as I began to gas out, I was at the top! The true summit is off in the woods, and my only goal was the view, which was beautiful. There were still some early-morning clouds hugging Mt. Willey and Mt. Webster, but the dramatic view in Crawford Notch was still excellent. I had a quick return trip followed by a short jaunt up Elephant's Head.

Step-By-Step

- Park at Crawford Depot, cross the train tracks, and start hike on Avalon Trail.

- At jct., turn left onto Mt. Willard Trail.

- Summit, turn around and retrace steps back to car.

Originally written & posted Monday, October 28th, 2024 at 2:31pm.

[VAULT] Mt. Magalloway (Pittsburg, NH)

Mt. Magalloway (Pittsburg, NH)

Hike Type: Lollipop Loop

Distance: 2.2 miles

Elevation: 796 feet

Time: Unknown
Hiking Challenges: 52 With-a-View; NH Fire Towers

The Hike

A redemption story! On August 20th, 2020, Emma and I hiked Table Rock in Dixville Notch. We then aimed to hike Mt. Magalloway, which was a long drive away. We wiggled through country roads, went through Pittsburgh, drove on the wide Magalloway Road, dodged logging trucks, and made it 1.5 miles down the infamous, brutal Tower Road, only to be turned around by road crews. Still being relatively new to my hiking life, I didn't even think about parking on a pull-out and hike the road. We bowed our heads, put our tails in between our legs, and eventually hit our consolation hike to the 4th Connecticut Lake (which was super cool on its own!). 

Now, just over a year later, it was redemption time! I was visiting Emma for a few days, and I convinced her to meet me in Pittsburgh and I'd drive us to the trailhead. Our drive was successful, albeit comically long. We were delighted to find a bathroom at the trailhead, and we were off! We hiked up the Coot Trail, which was wide with rough footing - not our favorite. Soon enough we were at the summit - marked by a large sign and fire tower. Before climbing the tower, we followed a spur path to a neat view of some sharp cliffs. We hiked the tower, enjoying the far north views, and also encountered our first Gray Jays! They were VERY friendly, almost swooping down to swipe the snacks right out of our hands!

We descended via the Bobcat Trail, which felt more like a footpath with some wet undergrowth. Some people report prefering going up and down Bobcat, but I still liked the loop. Soon enough we were back on the road heading toward Vermont! It was wild having the drive being significantly longer than the hike, but it is what it is! We planned to hike Averill and Brousseau in Vermont on the way home, but it started to rain, so we got Maple Creemees instead!

Step-By-Step

- Park at the parking area at the end of Tower Road.

- Start hike on the Coot Trail.

- At summit of Mt. Magalloway, follow spur to view, then return to tower.

- Descend to parking area via Bobcat Trail.

Originally posted on Tuesday, October 28th, 2024 at 2:39pm.

[VAULT] Potash Mountain (White Mountain National Forest)

Potash Mountain (White Mountain National Forest)

Hike Type: Eyeglasses Loop

Distance: 12.76 miles

Elevation: 3,478 feet

Time: 7 hours, 57 minutes (6 hours, 59 minutes moving)
Hiking Challenges: New Hampshire 4000 Footers; Operation Alaska Benchmark Challenge

The Hike

Hike #2 for the day! This would end up being one of my biggest solo days so far, with over 12 miles and 4,000 feet. My legs were DEAD by the end, but the view up top was incredibly rewarding! From Sandwich Mountain/Jennings Peak, I drove over to the Kancamagus Highway to the Mt. Potash trailhead. I hiked onto the Downes Brook Trail and soon turned onto the Mt. Potash Trail. Soon after, I crossed the wide Downes Brook on a slow, but easy rock hop, and continued through the woods. Over time, the trail began to get slabbier and slabbier, really kicking up a fire in my quads. Thankfully, all the burning was rewarded with first a commanding view toward Mt. Passaconaway, then Mt. Chocorua with the Sisters, and finally the best view out toward Mt. Carrigain with the Presidentials to the far right. Really beautiful! The return trip was quick and easy, and I was sore for a few days later.

Step-By-Step

- From parking area, start hike on Downes Brook Trail.

- At jct., turn right onto Mt. Potash Trail.

- At summit, retrace steps.

Originally written and posted Tuesday, October 29th, 2024 at 7:48am.

[VAULT] Sandwich Dome & Jennings Peak (White Mountain National Forest)

Sandwich Dome & Jennings Peak (White Mountain National Forest)

Hike Type: Upside-down Lollipop Loop

Distance: 8.3 miles

Elevation: 2,743 feet

Time: Unknown
Hiking Challenges: 52 With-a-View

The Hike

Hike #1 for the day! The plan is to hike Jennings Peak and Sandwich Dome (or Sandwich Mountain, I guess it has two names?), and then drive over to hit Mt. Potash as well. I started my hike soon after sunrise on the Sandwich Mountain Trail, which starts steeply climbing right away, soon entering the Sandwich Range Wilderness. The first reward after a tough climb is Noon Peak, which provied a nice view toward the Tripyramids. Continuing on, I then reached the 0.2 mi. spur path to Jennings Peak, which also had some beautiful views, including up to Sandwich Dome.

From Jennings Peak, the Sandwich Mountain Trail eased for a bit before a final steeper push up to the summit and view, which I remember being partailly obstructed by trees (I've heard that in the past couple of years some locals have cut down some obstructing trees, though). I do remember there being a TON of flies up here, so I did not stay long.

My return trip started down the Sandwich Mountain Trail, eventually turning onto Drakes Brook Trail, which initially descended via a few switchbacks before easily leveling out for a smooth final descent. The trail mostly paralleled the Drakes Brook, which was beautiful. I remember passing a couple of hikers who were heading up just as I was finishing up - the first people I'd seen all day - and they were surprised to see me descending and impressed I was already finishing up my hike. That was particularly excellent for my ego!

Step-By-Step

- Start hike on Sandwich Mountain Trail

- At jct., follow spur to Jennings Peak.

- Continue along Sandwich Mountain Trail to summit.

- At summit, turn around.

- At third jct., turn right onto Drakes Brook Trail.

- Follow Drakes Brook Trail back to car.

Originally written and posted Tuesday, October 29th, 2024 at 8:03am.