Mt. Kearsarge North (White Mountain National Forest)

Mt. Kearsarge North (White Mountain National Forest)

Distance: 6.21 miles
Elevation: 2,588 feet

Time: 4 hours, 32 minutes (4 hours, 15 minutes moving)
Hike Type: Out-and-Back
Hiking Challenges: 52 With-a-View, 52 Hike Challenge

The Hike

(Quick toe update from a vauge irritation I felt on my second toe after my hike in the Ossipees last week - the toenail is basically black. Dreading it falling off).

Last night I was back and forth on whether or not I wanted to schlep all the way up to the whites with a winter storm warning for the afternoon, but the weather looked forgiving in the morning... Thankfully Sarah made the final push to get us up there and it was the right call! I left my house just before 4am, got Sarah at 4:20, and up we went! We took a brief pit stop at the Cumbies in Somersworth, NH (one I've managed to stop at numerous times before somehow... I just looked up where it actually is because Google just brings me there on these mornings), and landed at the trailhead around 7:15am. We couldn't help but notice that it was wet, foggy, cloudy, and dark outside. We got suited up, I put on my new REI Traverse 32 pack (I swear I'm done buying backpacks - I now have an excellent fleet of the Cotopaxi Luzon 18L that I will likely never use again, Cotopaxi Luzon 24L for summer and local, REI Traverse 32L for winter, and REI Trail 40 for overnights), and off we went!

The trail had a rough start - a very wet, partially frozen, partially flooded, partially muddy slop of a trail for about 50 feet, but then rose to a beautiful forest. First, there is a residence sporting a "F*** Biden" flag facing into their home, and later the trail passes a summer residence that's been boarded up for witner. The trail was fully dry from this point and winter-free. There was a brook down below that got further and further away as we climbed. The climb was relatively steady with well-placed walking breaks and just a few eroded sections, and many red squirrels. The guidebook lists some point of this trail as a "fine hemlock forest" - I've decided my new years resolution is to learn more about identifying trees in New England, because I can barely tell them apart. 

The hike could be divided up into probably four sections: the beginning forest, the more open forest, the ledges, and the final push. The beginning forest continues past the boulders which were neat and scattered, and then begins to open up into a new tree biome, or whatever the scientific terminology is. The trail passed a partially frozen swamp that was pretty, and then climbed again to meet zone #3 - the ledges!

The ledges were wet but not slippery... when they weren't ice covered. The higher we went, the more carefully we walked. I think there would be some nice views if we weren't in a cloud! I have a great habit of hiking 52s on cloudy days... oh well! We were able to carefully maneuver our way up patches of snow/ice/rock without committing to putting our spikes on - the patches were too spotty to warrant the brutal labor of putting them on. The trail eventually brought us to a stunning view into more of a cloud, and from there my spikes went on. We think the temperature began to dip below freezing up here since there was a very light coating of ice on all the trees - really subtly beautiufl.

The ice "glaciers" became more frequent and the moisture from the air was beginning to freeze on the slabs, so I was very happy with my choice. This brings us to Zone #4 - the final stretch. The trail here was more manageable (or I was just excited), and spikes were definitely necessary. There were a few very impressive ice flows that we stomped all over in our power spikes, and only one tricky almost-scramble. At this point, we were soaked in our own sweat and moreso, from the cloud we were hiking through. Thankfully, the temperature never really dipped below 30-degrees, minus the summit.

The trail continued to climb and we got closer and closer to the sky/clouds, the wind was picking up, and eventually we popped into the ledgy summit area! It was cold, wet, and windy, but a really cool frozen winter wonderland as well. There was a good amount of rime ice coating the trees and lower vegetation - and the tower too!

We dropped our poles and spikes outside and climbed into the cabin which was a welcome reprive from the wind. Sarah dipped into the woods for a moment to use the bathroom, and I heard a cartoon-caliber "YELP" from behind me - she had just postholed into about 1.5-2 feet of snow, which was very funny! The windows were frosted over, but the inside was lovely! Clean, spacious, with a log book and deck of cards. There were a few signs reminding visitors to take care of the cabin, don't wear spikes inside, and a brief history of the tower. I get why people like it so much - I would definitely come to spend the night sometime! We had our snacks, I changed my shirt, but we couldn't stay too long since it was Sunday and that pesky winter storm was still on its way. 

Our return trip through Zone #4 was quick and easy, and it started to snow! The really beautiful snowglobe-type of snow. It ranged from flurries to a more steady snow shower - we were just happy it was snow and not rain! 

Spikes stayed on for most of Zone #3, which did include some awkward rock-walking. We took our spikes off after the first "glacier" we remembered having to bypass and met a beautiful dog who got ahead of its owners (well trained)! He was more interested in peeing that chatting with us. We took maybe 5 steps to continue our hike down when Sarah slipped and apperaed to feel every emotion in the human range - she was surprised, upset, hurt (she smashed her elbow), and silent at first. She said she's okay but needs a moment when the first people we'd seen all day appeared with the same dog and another! The dog we previously met was barking and ran to Sarah's aid, and the second dog came up with MANY kisses for her - now her emotions continued morphing to happines, then shock, then realization, and then basically sobbing from sweetness overload. We chatted with the hikers, Sarah got back up, and we conitnued on.

The rest of the return trip was quick and easy with no more tricky spots. We passed two more hikers who looked they planned to stay overnight (which is wild considering how much snow they expect to fall overnight), and soon enough we were slogging back through that awful wet, icy, muddy section of trail back to the car! We finished our day at the REI and the Black Top Grille, which had an EXCELLENT burger. We had a long, snowy drive home with a quick stop at Hannafords, and both agree we're happy we made the trip even though we didn't get any views. 

Step-by-Step

- Park at trailhead on Hurricane Mountain Road.

- Hike to the summit from the trailhead following yellow blazes.

- At summit, retrace steps back to car.

“Mount Kearsarge North Trail” from White Mountain Guide, 31st Ed. (2022)

[From Hurricane Mtn. Rd. to Mt. Kearsarge North summit (3,269 ft.): 3.1 mi., 2,600 ft., 2:50]

WMNF This yellow-blazed trail ascends Mt. Kearsarge North from a small parking area (plowed in winter) on the north side of Hurricane Mtn. Rd., 1.5 mi. east of NH 16 near the state highway rest area at Intervale. Parking is prohibited along the side of Hurricane Mtn. Rd., and the lot fills up quickly on fine days. The trail is a very popular and moderate route to the magnificent views from Mt. Kearsarge North and its historic fire tower, but inexperienced hikers should not underestimate the total climb of 2,600 ft., which is comparable to the ascent required for many much higher peaks.

        Leaving the road, Mt. Kearsarge North Trail runs level for a short distance and then climbs easily past a summer residence on an old road, well up on the bank above a brook. The trail enters the WMNF at 0.7 mi. and begins to climb steadily north through a fine hemlock forest. At 1.1 mi., the trail passes several boulders, and the old road starts to become rougher. At 1.8 mi., the trail enters a ledgy area with red pines, offering restricted views to Mt. Chocorua and Moat Mtn. Continuing its steady climb, Mt. Kearsarge North Trail reaches a ledge with an open view south. The trail crosses the crest of the ridge connecting Mt. Kearsarge North to Bartlett Mtn. at 2.4 mi., swings right (northeast), and ascends through spruce forest, mostly along the north side of the ridge. At 2.9 mi., the trail makes a sharp right turn at a steep spot and then angles upward, circling to the left around to the west edge of the summit ledges, and climbs to the tower.

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