Mt. Roberts (Ossipee Range)
Gen and I set a goal to start winter hiking this year, and we finally had a day where the skies would be blue and no wind - so it was time! We watched a few webinars about winter hiking, since its something both of us had never done before outside of local hikes. We knew the goal was to adjust layers as needed and do our best to prevent sweat. We collected gear and layers, made hot chocolate for afterwards, and started our early morning COLD drive up to the Ossipees for hike #1: Mt. Roberts!
When we stopped at Hooksett, the thermometer read a balmy -7°, and the sun was beginning to show its morning colors beneath the horizon. We were confident in our layering systems, but still talked about how we can turn back at any time while hiking. We made our way up to the Castle in the Clouds parking area, and slowly got suited up for our coldest adventure yet. Our strategy was to turn the car into a sauna, turn off the car, layer up outside, get back in the car, sauna for a few more minutes, and then get the party started, which worked well!
I prematurely put my spikes on and hobbled across the road to the snowy ditch, and then we officially got started! The trail is well signed, and we were almost immediately greeted by an owl (the first one I'd ever seen in the wild!) enjoying its chilly morning. This was an excellent first winter hike- the trail was always gradual and incredibly beautiful.
There was a surprise view on the way up to Red Hill that was a great snack spot, but it was so cold that we didn't wait around for too long. All the way to the right of the view, we could even see a snow-capped Moosilauke! Gen also had frozen hair at this point.
Our hike continued and the sun slowly started warming things up. A perk of a cloudless day was that we had the sun on us most of the time, so we never felt too cold. After some more slow hiking, we finally made it to the main viewpoint, which was spectacular. Lake Winnipesaukee was in the foreground, with the Belknap Range framing the backside. To the left, there was the rest of the Ossipee range. Gen took this time to try out her new "she-wee," and proceeded to pee all over herself (I only knew because I heard a distant "OH NO" in the woods).
From the main view area, the trail continued a little further to the Mt. Roberts summit sign, with a glowing white Mt. Washington behind it. We were very proud of this hike but remembered we only have done half the work so far! We took our photos and started our return trip.
The return trip was quick and easy, minus my shoelaces getting caught on my book hook, and then ripping one of the hooks out (which wasn't that bad, I don't use the top hooks anyway), and then one of my spikes breaking. That was on me for getting $20 Amazon spikes as a rather large man. Oh well! They were still usable. Back at the car, we QUICKLY changed and started round two of the sauna, and enjoyed our lukewarm hot chocolate. I ziptied my spikes, hoping they would last me through our next hike - Hedgehog Mountain!
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