Mt. Kearsarge (South) via Winslow/Barlow (Winslow State Park)

Mt. Kearsarge (South) via Winslow/Barlow (Winslow State Park)

Hike Type: Loop
Distance: 2.7 miles
Elevation: 1112 feet
Time: 1 hour, 48 minutes
Hiking Challenges: 52 With-a-View; New Hampshire Fire Tower Quest

The Hike

Happy Memorial Day Weekend! I was headed up to the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont for the weekend and wanted to split up my drive up with a hike. I was between Cardigan and Kearsarge South - and the wonderful people of Facebook led me to Kearsarge! The biggest plus was that it was right off of I-89, so it was quite literally on the way up. The Winslow State Park website says that the parking area closes at 6:00pm, but the same wonderful people of Facebook told me that it's never closed in the warm season. I took the gamble, arrived around 5:00pm and got to hiking!

View from the picnic area at the parking lot.

There were a couple of other cars in the parking lot, and I ran into their group right at the trailhead so I had the whole mountain to myself. I went up the red-blazed Winslow Trail and got quite the workout in! While it's not a long trail, it does get steep. Nothing crazy, but definitely enough to get the heart racing. Rocks and roots make up the majority of this trail, and it vaguely reminded me of the rockier parts of Mt. Tammany in New Jersey. Halfway up there is a rock with a "1/2" painted on which felt equally encouraging and patronizing. 

The first view came just at the perfect time (i.e., when I was questioning my life choices) and gave me the boost I needed. After the first view the trail continues to climb, but more gradually over shrubby slabs. The rhodora were in full bloom and it was a beautiful final ascent, even with the gloomy weather. The Winslow and Barlow trails meet back near the top just before the final summit area. The summit area has expansive views in all directions, a radio tower, a firetower, and finally the summit cairn. It was windy up there so I didn't dilly-dally, but still took time to enjoy the scenery and having the whole summit to myself.

I took the Barlow Trail on the way down which was just beautiful. The biggest highlight was the alpine bog in full spring bloom - just gorgeous. A few more views were to be had,  and I was back at the car before I knew it! This time, however, all the bugs came with me. I've never packed up so fast in my life. The remaining drive to the NEK was spent looking at views off of I-89 and killing bugs in my car. 

Step-By-Step

• Park at Winslow State Park and walk toward "To Trails" kiosk.
• Turn right at junction for red-blazed Winslow Trail.
• Follow Winslow Trail until junction near summit.
• At junction, continue following trail to summit area. 
• Walk past fire tower to find summit cairn.
• When finished at summit, retrace steps back into the scrub to the Winslow/Barlow trail junction.
• At junction, turn right onto yellow-blazed Barlow Trail.
• Follow Barlow Trail back to parking lot. 

Mt. Kearsarge Hiking Map

Photo Album