[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.

[VAULT] Mt. Tecumseh via Waterville Valley (White Mountain National Forest)

Mt. Tecumseh via Waterville Valley (White Mountain National Forest)
Originally written January 14th, 2023 at 10:37am.

Hike Type: Out and Back

Distance: 5 miles

Elevation: 2156 feet
Time: 3 hours, 41 minutes (3 hours, 14 mintues Moving)

Hiking Challenges: New Hampshire 4000 Footers, Operation Alaska Benchmark Challenge

The Hike

It was a Thursday morning in June and instead of working, Gen and I decided to drive up north to meet the smallest 4000-footer, Mt. Tecumseh. It was a beautiful early summer morning with temperatures in the low 50s which soon rose to a delightful upper 60s. We slept a little later than usual since it was a weekday and there wouldn't be too many crowds to avoid. We made it to the Waterville Valley ski area, drove in circles until we found the trailhead, and got started!

 

The sun was peeking through the hazy clouds right away as it peered over the Tripyramids, but we were soon in the woods. It was a very quiet morning with what appeared to be hundreds of baby butterflies resting on the ground. The trail was a bit rocky and root-y in the lower half, but nothing ridiculous. A great feature around the halfway point was a very short spur to one of the ski slopes that gave a beautiful view of the sun shining above the Tripyramids and other peaks. Everything was so green this day! (I might be saying this since I'm writing it in January of 2023 and I miss green things...).

 

After the view is when the stairmaster begins - endless stone steps for as far as the eye could see! I remember reading about this, but I don't remember it bothering me too much (or it's a classic type 2 fun situation). Eventually, the trail will begin to level out and come to a junction with the Sosman Trail, which would have views from the top of the ski area. We continued toward the summit.

 

There is a small loop trail that goes up and over the summit, and we took it clockwise. The character of the trail changes here - it feels more like wilderness and less like a good cardio workout, which was nice. The footing was also more rugged here, but again, nothing too crazy. Soon enough we were up at the summit! I was pleasantly surprised - I had heard that there wasn't a good view but I disagree - there was a lovely view of the area. I also always appreciate a summit disc!

 

We took a few photos, chatted with one other hiker who was a local getting her "morning hike in" (the dream), and then continued our hike by first finishing the loop and heading back to the junction with the Sosman Trail. We said we could either do the out and back on the Sosman Trail or head down the mountain and drive over the Welsh-Dickey for another hike, and we decided on the latter. We flew down the mountain and made it back to the car in no time. This may have been the day that I brought a couple Jimmy Dean breakfast sandwiches with me and left them on my dashboard to "cook" - and if it was this day - it worked! It was absolutely delightful. We took a break and a snack in the parking lot, and then drove not too far away for our next hike of the day.

 

Step-By-Step

• Start hike at Waterville Valley ski area parking lot at Mt. Tecumseh Trailhead.

• Follow yellow-blazed Mt. Tecumseh Trail up mountain, stopping halfway at the view spur.

• At junction with Sosman Trail, continue on Mt. Tecumseh Trail.

• At the trail split for the summit, choose either direction to reach the summit (we went left).

• Summit Mt. Tecumseh!

• Continue down the other half of the trail, taking care to not go to Tripoli Road.

• Retrace steps to car. 

"Mt. Tecumseh Trail" from White Mountain Guide, 30th Ed. (2017)

    This trail ascends Mt. Tecumseh, starting at Waterville Valley Ski Area at the top right (northwest) edge of the ski area parking loop road, across from lot 1. The trail climbs the east slope of Mt. Tecumseh then descends the northwest ridge to a parking area just off Tripoli Rd. (FR 30), 5.5 mi. east of I-93 (Exit 31, northbound ramp) and 1.2 mi. west of the Mt. Osceola Trail parking area.

    Starting at a trail sign at the edge of the ski area parking lot, the trail crosses a small brook, where the trail was washed out by Tropical Storm Irene in 2011. At 0.3 mi. the trail crosses the brook and follows a section of trail along a small ridge above the north side. At 1.1 mi., the trail drops and recrosses the brook then climbs by switchbacks to intersect the former route, an old logging road, about 20 yd. from the edge of the ski slopes; good views can be obtained by following the old trail left to the edge of the open slope. THe main trail turns right and follows the rocky old road, with many volunteer-built rock steps and drainages, angling upward along the south side of the Tecumseh Brook valley and passing two more paths leading to the ski slopes. It then climbs steadily to the main ridge crest south of Mt. Tecumseh, where the trail turns right in a flat area. Here, at 2.2 mi., Sosman trail enters from the left, from the top of the ski area.

    In another 120 yd., Sosman Trail forks left to ascend the summit from the west. Mt. Tecumseh Trail swings right, descending slightly to circle the base of the steep cone (passing a restricted view of Sandwich Mtn.), and finally climbs steeply to reach the summit from the north at 2.5 mi. The summit offers open views to the east. Care must be taken to follow the correct trail for the descent; new signage has improved the situation. Mt. Tecumseh Trail leaves north for the ski area and west-northwest for Tripoli Rd., whereas Sosman Trail runs almost due south along the ridge crest then turns sharply right (west) off the ridge and descends. [...].

[VAULT] Welch-Dickey Loop (White Mountain National Forest)

Welch-Dickey Loop (White Mountain National Forest)

Hike Type: Loop

Distance: 4.3 miles

Elevation: 1,798 feet

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

The Hike

This was a big day in my hiking career - the first time I would hike a 4000-footer and still have energy to hike more afterwards! Given, it was only Mt. Tecumseh, but it still counts! I remember after hiking Moosilauke and the Osceolas, all I wanted was to have the strength and energy to explore more, but my body was SHOT after those hikes, which is why this was a special moment. We drove from our mini-lunch at the Waterville Valley ski area parking lot to the large Welch-Dickey trailhead, fixed with bathrooms - yay!

The plan was to hike the counter-clockwise loop as heavily suggested. The trail was straight-forward and not too strenuous. There were many signs as the trail approached the Welch Ledges:

"You are entering an area containing rare plants, some of which grow on exposed rocks or in rock crevices. To help protect these sensitive habitats, please stay on trails and avoid stepping on plants or disturbing shallow soils."

"Protect fragile plants on Welch ledges. The islands of soil and plants on Welch and Dickey Mountains contain fragile and rare species in New Hampshire that can take up to 400 years to develop. WHile on the ledges please: stay on trails or bare rock, do not walk or sit on vegetation, do not remove the rocks or logs that protect the outcrop islands, leash your pet."

The trail leading up to the ledge was clearly laid out with log barriers to keep us on-trail. The view was beautiful! We enjoyed the view out to the Sandwich Range and then continued hiking up the seemingly endless slabs toward Welch Mountain. We squeezed through a really neat rock and made our way up to the beautiful, slabby summit.  

We descended briefly and then shot up to the summit of Dickey Mountain, where a bouquet of pink lady slippers was waiting to greet us! We planned a break up top, but a LARGE group of children persuaded us to continue on. The descent was along a long, slabby spine that provided many more views, eventually landing us in the woods, where we completed our hike!

Step-by-Step

- Follow Welch-Dickey Loop Trail counter-clockwise.

Originally written and posted Tuesday, October 29th, 2024 at 10:46am.

[VAULT] Mt. Osceola & East Osceola (White Mountain National Forest)

Mt. Osceola & East Osceola (White Mountain National Forest)
Originally written and posted January 14th, 2023 at 11:21am.

Hike Type: Out-and-Back

Distance: 8.3 miles

Elevation: 2851 feet
Time: N/A

Hiking Challenges: New Hampshire 4000 Footers

The Hike

Gen and I had such an incredible time climbing Mt. Moosilauke, we headed back up to the whites only two weeks later to tackle the next 4000 footers! We found an article of the "6 beginner 4k hikes" or something, so we decided we would work on that list (which in hindsight, we did a good job with, until our fourth hike was the Hale-Zealand-Bonds traverse... whoops!) which brought us to the Osceolas! We slept at Gen's family cottage in Raymond, NH the night before and left around 4am to hit the trailhead just after sunrise. Emma drove down from northern Vermont, and we were shocked to find her only a few minutes behind us! The trailhead had my favorite thing in the world - composting toilets - so we made use of those, got suited up on the chilly 32-degree morning, and got to our hike!

 

The trail started out incredibly gentle before beginning to climb. This day ended up being an experiment of layering - and I'm just now remembering that I was hiking this in my old sneakers and cotton sweatpants. We were definitely cold at first, but after the first 20-ish minutes we de-layered because we were cooking. Another 30-ish minutes went by and we were suddenly freezing again (partly because we were wet with improper gear, partly because the wind picked up), so we re-layered. We eventually reached an equilibrium, thankfully, but not without consequence (Gen got a great shot of my ass sweat later in the day).

 

The trail itself was rather forving with moderate grades and switchbacks galore. Every now and then we would find the sun peeking through the trees which was lovely. In the upper half, there were plenty of switchbacks that eased the grade, but many were along slanted slabs that were brutal on my weak, unprotected ankles. It was in this upper half we also ran into some backpackers who spent the night somewhere in the woods, and were headed back down.

 

The trail calmed down near the summit with numerous side paths that I did not know about (I didn't get the White Mountain Guide until a few months after this hike), so we continued on to the main view which was spectacular! It was only us and one other person this early in the morning, and the sun was just high enough to warm us back up in the wide open area. We had snacks, took photos, and rested for a while, before continuing our journey onward to East Osceola.

 

In hindsight, this is where the trail became more of a classic "white mountains hike" - right down and then right back up again, no funny business. There were some nice views toward East Osceola and the surroundings heading down Osceola, and just a bit of autumn red in the valleys. When we hit the fabled chimney section, a group of oncoming hikers told us to veer left to do the bypass on the way down - thank goodness we passed them or else we would have had a whole time getting down that chimney.

 

The final push up East Osceola was moderate and straightforward, with one great peekaboo view of Mt. Washington and nearby peaks. The actual summit of East Osceola is wooded and underwhelming, with a cairn and a sitting log. We took our pictures, had a snack, and then started retracing our steps.

 

The entirety of the return trip was swimming upstream. You could tell this was a popular white mountain hike - we passed at least 100 people, if not more. Going up the chimney was very fun and not scary at all, and the final push back up Osceola got a little steep. The main view of Osceola was now a mad house with at least 30 people - we tried to take a break but got way too cranky. The final descent was more of the same - swimming upstream. I know uphill hikers get the right of way, but after a while we just started pushing on. We did pass one couple that was arguing about the hike which was fun! We also got complimented on our matching cotopaxi gear... 14 times. By the end of the hike our knees and ankles were hurting from the descent, but it was still an amazing hike and definitely one of the better "intro to 4k" hikes. We ended our day at the Woodstock Inn Brewery where I had the best margarita before making the pilgrimage home.

*a note I just remmebered - this was 2020 so EVERYONE was getting outside to hike, and there was the weird combination of maskless hikers, hikers with gaiters, hikers with masks, hikers who would jump into the woods to keep 6-ft, and my favorite, the ones who would stop and stare into a tree to avoid breathing on somebody.

 

"Mt Osceola Trail" from White Mountain Guide, 30th Edition (2017)

    This trail begins at a parking area on Tripoli Rd. (FR 30) near the height-of-land in Thornton Gap, 6.7 mi. from I-93 (Exit 31, northbound ramp) and 2.9 mi. from Livermore Rd. parking area on West Branch Rd. The trail climbs over Mt. Osceola and East Osceola and descends to Greely Ponds Trail at the height-of-land in Mad River Notch, 1.3 mi. south of the Kancamagus Highway. The trail from Thornton Gap to the summit of Mt. Osceola has easy to moderate grades, although the footing is rough in some places. The section between East Osceola and Greely Ponds Trail is very steep and rough. This section may require considerable extra time, both ascending and descending.
    The trail leaves Tripoli Rd. and climbs moderately with rocky footing, going east across the south slopes of Breadtray Ridge and crossing several small brooks. At 1.2 mi., the trail begins to climb by switchbacks toward the ridge top, and the footing improves, although there are still occasional rough sections. At 2.1 mi., the trail swings right across a small brook (unreliable). The trail resumes its switchbacks, crossing numerous angled slabs that may be icy in cold seasons and passing a view southwest. It gains the summit ridge and turns right, and soon crosses a ledge at 2.9 mi. at the site of an older fire tower site (probably the true summit); here, a side path leads 20 yd. left to a ledge with a good view north. In another 50 yd., the trail reaches the large, open, east-facing ledge at the more recent fire tower site, with excellent views. The trail then turns left and descends from the summit, alternating easy stretches with steep, rocky descents.
    Just before reaching the main col between Mt. Osceola and East Osceola, the trail descends a steep chimney (easier to climb than descend), which can be avoided by a somewhat less difficult but still tricky detour to the left (north). (Just above the chimney is a view of East Osceola). The trail crosses the col at 3.5 mi. and climbs moderately with steep pitches past a fine outlook on the left at 3.7 mi., reaching the wooded summit of East Osceola (marked by a small cairn) at 3.9 mi. [...].