Mt. Hale (4,054 ft) 11-6-22

Distance: 9.10 mi.
Elevation: 2,240 ft (overall) 2,581 ft (total)
Time: 1:53 (Summit) 3:28 (Hut) 4:35 (Zealand Rd) 4:53 (Total)
Trails: Hale Brook Trail, Lend-A-Hand Trail, Zealand Trail, Zealand Road

With abnormally warm November temps predicted (near 50), it was time to get out for a nice warm late fall hike. It was going to be cloudy all day, so I picked a viewless 4K so that I could make another check on the grid, but more importantly redline the Lend-A-Hand Trail. I have been wanting to do this loop for a while, so it was nice to finally get it done. This would also be my first non-winter hike of Mount Hale.

I expected the parking lot at the start of the Zealand Trail to be more full today with the warm temps and it's access to more peaks and the hut, so I started at the Hale Brook Trail and would end with the road walk. While I expect this was the better option, the small lot was already full when I got there so I had to park on the side of the road as others had already done. With this being a shorter 4K hike though, the parking lot can cycle out pretty quickly.

The trail starts off pretty easy with a gentle climb. Being late fall, there was a layer of leaves down low that went away as the hike got higher up the mountain. Terrain is pretty smooth, but there are some sections of trail that have been reworked with some newer steps added in to stop erosion. Still, nothing hard to navigate though. There is a brook crossing, but today it was running pretty low so it was very easy to just step across on the rocks.

An early easy leaf covered section of trail

Hale Brook Trail water crossing

Higher up the trail transitions from the hardwoods to the conifers. Around this time the trail also transitions to some sections of sidehill and then switchbacks. The trail surface gets more rocky here as well. Not making things too difficult, but just not as smooth or as easy on the feet. Closer to the summit, the trail becomes more straight again before it eventually emerges from the trees to the viewless summit where a fire tower once stood and there is now just an opening with a large pile of rocks in it. While quite a few cars were in the lot today, there weren't many people at the summit (or they didn't stay long). At one point I even had the summit to myself for a while before I left. The Gray Jays were active around the summit looking for free snacks today. After zooming in on my camera of a couple pictures I had taken, I noticed that one of them even had a band on its leg. This was something I have never seen on a Gray Jay before. Obviously somewhere someone is trying to learn more about them.

Sidehill section of trail

Gray Jay (with leg band) at the summit

Mt. Hale summit

Leaving the summit, I headed down the Lend-A-Hand Trail to hit some new sections of trail for me. The trail makes for an enjoyable hike through some nice woods. The trail gets a bit tight for a bit, but it made the section seem that much nicer to me. There is one small area of rock to climb down, but the terrain through here was pretty easy and enjoyable. From the guidebook, I knew there would be a side path that would lead to a small view looking out towards Carrigain Notch. There was no sign for this side path, and if you weren't looking for it it could be very easy to pass. It did lead to a small, but enjoyable view that is worth pushing through the branches to get to it.

Tight section of the Lend-A-Hand Trail

View towards Carrigain Notch

The lower half of the Lend-A-Hand Trail gets a little bit rougher in its surface. The trail passes a small swamp, goes though some wet areas, and follows near then crosses a brook. All this makes for a few more roots and rocks on the surface that slows the hike down just a bit. It still isn't hard though. Just before the junction with the Zealand Trail, there was one brook crossing that wasn't too hard with rocks to easily cross on.

Bog bridges on Lend-A-Hale Trail

I went down the Zealand Trail and made a stop at the hut. There were a few people around the hut today relaxing and enjoying the falls, but it wasn't too busy here. I took some pictures of the falls, but without much water running today it wasn't very exciting. So after a short break, I got on my way and headed on my way out. After a quick rocky and bit steep descent from the hut, the rest of the trail is mostly flat as it largely follows and old logging railroad grade. This makes for a quick hike out if you don't stop to look at much as you pass brooks, ponds, and swamps. If it was sunny out, I probably would have stopped more and taken some more pictures. Once back to the road, I did the walk back to my truck at pretty much the same time as two other groups were also doing so. As one of us said, we should have sent one person ahead and come back to give the rest of us a ride.

While the road walk at the end isn't exciting, the hike today was a good one. The weather worked well for a viewless peak and the new trail for me and side path view made for some other nice aspects. I would do this hike again at some other time probably with different weather, like on a sunny day. Next time I would probably switch it up and do it the other direction just to see which way is better.

Google Earth representation of the hike

For all the pictures from the hike, just go HERE

Mt. Israel (2,630 ft) 10-16-22

Distance: 9.68 mi.
Elevation: 1,730 ft (overall) 2,185 ft (total)
Time: (with an 8 year old setting the pace) 2:03 (View) 2:43 (Summit) 5:29 (Sandwich Notch Rd) 7:02 (Beede Falls) 7:12 (Total)
Trails: Wentworth Trail, Mead Trail, Guinea Pond Trail, Sandwich Notch Rd, Bearcamp River Trail

Wanting to hike somewhere new and get onto some trails I haven't done before, I picked Mt. Israel with my daughter. The weather for today was going to be sunny, but a little bit on the cooler and breezier side so I didn't want to go to a higher peak as my daughter doesn't have as much good cold weather gear as I do. The plan was to go up and down the Wentworth Trail, but with the option to go down the Mead Trail and loop back around if my daughter was willing to. This would give me even more new trails if she was feeling up to it.

The trail up is a nice hike without any real steep or overly difficult sections. There are a couple rocky bits, but the trail stays mostly smooth until the summit. The trail does come up to a false summit with a good view before you duck back into the trees for just a bit more. Just before the summit you will pass the intersection where the Mead Trail heads down to your left. At the summit, there is a nice view that is mostly to the north, but through/over the trees does include some to the east and west.

At the summit we spent plenty of time resting, snacking, and enjoying the view. After we were done I showed my daughter the map and explained our options and what we could do. I gave her the option to pick which way we would head down and she picked the longer way making a loop down the Mead Trail and out to Sandwich Notch Road and then back to the truck after stopping at Beede Falls.

Coming down the Mead Trail you can tell it is significantly less traveled. Today the trail was also a bit damp in places, but not enough to have running water coming down it. Due to the time of year, the trail also had a layer of leaves covering things that could hid more mud or obstacles. With the leaves on the ground and less traffic, there were a couple places along this trail that might have a chance to lose it just a bit, but if you pay attention you should be fine. We both enjoyed the hike coming down this way with less people and new things to look at.

Once on the Guinea Pond Trail it would be mostly flat back to the truck and should be smooth sailing. We did encounter a need to use the "High Water Bypass" that I didn't need to use the last time I was here. A snowmobile bridge that is in the trail that the bypass goes around appeared to be surrounded by water which means the rest of the trail would be under quite a bit. After the bypass came back to the main trail, there was also more standing water. We were warned about this by hikers heading up while we came down. For the most part we were able to walk on the high ground next to the trail, but in a few places we needed to cross deeper areas on sticks and logs others had placed over them. Not all of these were solid/stable and my daughter was very glad I happened to have my treking poles with me today and we could take them out through here.

After the water on the trail, it was actually quick hiking. We got to the road in what seemed like good time. We quickly headed up the road which unfortunately had a bit more uphill climbing that I was expecting to start. It took a while to walk the length of the road, but we took a couple breaks to rest. The surface of the road is harder than the trail, so if nothing else your feet hurt more on the road than the trail. My daughter was also getting a bit tired. We also goofed off a bit in an area with a small cascade and some very large boulders next to the road. We'll have to come back again to explore it more.

Finally we hit the last downhill slope and arrived at the short walk to Beede Falls. We spent a bit of time at the falls which was mostly me taking a few pictures while my daughter found rocks to throw into the pool at the falls. Once we were done, the hike back to the truck seemed to go very quick and we both enjoyed the softer surface of the trail again. In the end, the day went well and we both had a great time. We checked off another peak for both of us and I got in some new trails for redlining. And like always, my daughter was excited to stop somewhere to get food after our hike.

A nice lower section of trail

A cluster of 3 large oak trees

Viewpoint along the trail

Summit view of Sandwich Dome

Summit view of Mt. Chocurua

Liliana on the summit

Coming down the lesser use Mead Trail

Very wet section of the Guinea Pond Trail

A snake Liliana almost stepped on

Large boulder along Sandwich Notch Rd

Beede Falls

Google Earth representation of the hike

For all the pictures from the hike, just go HERE

Mt. Liberty (4,459 ft) 9-11-22

Distance: 9.88 mi.
Elevation: 3,010 ft (overall) 3,302 ft (total)
Time: (with an 8 year old setting the pace) 4:57 (Summit) 8:50 (Total)
Trails: Whitehouse Trail, Liberty Spring Trail, Franconia Ridge Trail, Bike Path

This year for Flags on the 48 our group picked Mt. Liberty to hike. The group I hike with includes 4 of the 6 members of the steering committtee, but this year all 6 members would be hiking the same peaks since the group was formed. Hiking with my 8 year old daughter though for her first time attending this event, I headed up the trail before most of the group. I knew with shorter legs and a younger hiker, we wouldn't be making it to the summit as quick as the others.

The first part of the trail goes good with a little bit of up then down getting to the bike path. After walking the bike path briefly we head back onto the hiking trail. Again things went well for the early part of the trail. Probably a bit before the Flume Slide Trail goes to the right we were passed by part of our group. Up near the brook crossing above this, more of our group passed us. Liliana was doing well, but she can't be expected to be as fast as other people who have far more hiking experience.

The last mile or so leading up to the ridge the trail gets pretty steep. This is where Liliana really started to get tired and her pace slowed down. Today was her biggest hike ever though, so it was expected. Before reaching this section I thought we had a chance to be on the summit to help raise the flag, but in the end we missed it by about 30 minutes. Liliana was a trooper though and kept making progress. And once we hit the ridge and things weren't as steep, it was liked she got a boost of energy and we made it to the summit quickly.

After staying long enough that we could enjoy the views, rest, and help take down the flag, we packed up and headed down. We made good pace for an 8 year old in the lead. Liliana's feet were hurting some by the time we got down, but we managed to stay near some of the back markers of our group and got the parking lot just ahead of them after hiking on and off with them on the way down.

Liliana did great for her first Flags on the 48 event, even if we did miss the flags being raised on the summit. Depending on which peaks we choose for the next year or two, we might be able to do this again and have Liliana help with the flag raising. Everyone else in the group was glad to have a younger hiker taking part in it and they all thought she did great making it to the summit as well as she did.

An early section of trail after crossing the bike path

Brook crossing

Steep and rocky leading up to the ridge

Flag is up

View into the Pemi

The flag on Lincoln with Lafayette behind

The flag on Flume

The entire steering committee for Flags on the 48

Lots of people enjoying the event

Liliana and I in front of the flag

Liliana striking a pose on the way down

Google Earth representation of the hike

For all the pictures from the hike, just go HERE

Middle Sugarloaf (2,539 ft) & North Sugarloaf (2,310 ft) 7-31-22

Distance: 4.28 mi.
Elevation: 873 ft. (overall) 1,249 ft. (total)
Time: (with an 8 and 4 year setting the pace) 1:49 (Middle Sugarloaf) 3:03 (North Sugarloaf) 4:20 (Total)
Trails: Sugarloaf Trail, Trestle Trail

This summer my youngest daughter (4) has been asking about doing a family hike so she can come along and do a mountain with her sister and I. So at the end of a week off, we all headed to the White Mountain to take Middle and North Sugarloaf. I have been her before, so I was pretty confident our youngest could handle it and would enjoy the hike. For her it would be the first on the NH 52 With a View list. For her older sister, it would be number 6.

After getting to the trail head and getting our gear on, we hit the trail with the girls in the lead. I wanted them to set the pace because I know I can set to fast of a pace and I wanted them both to enjoy it. They both did good, but a new pack for Liliana (our oldest) and new (to her at least) gear for Madison (our youngest) meant many things were a novelty and it went a bit slow and frustrating at times. There was lots along the trail for the girls to check out, so that helped in keeping them moving on to the next thing.

Two little hikers ready to go

Madison and Liliana in front of a glacial erratic

The girls got to choose which peak we went to first, and they wanted to go to the higher one. This meant going left at the intersection and hitting Middle Sugarloaf first. At the top the girls took off their shoes and socks and enjoyed the sun, nice temps, and plenty of snacks before exploring the whole summit area.

Madison at the top of the stairs on Middle Sugarloaf

Madison and Liliana on top of the stairs

View from Middle Sugarloaf

Madison enjoying herself at the summit

View north on Middle Sugarloaf

Eventually we moved on to North Sugarloaf so the girls could see that peak as well. It isn't as big or as open, but it is still worth the visit in my opinion.

Their own bottles of trail mix were a hit today

Zealand Valley from North Sugarloaf

Family photo time

In the end the hike went well for everyone. As we do a few more hikes with Madison the novelty of all the gear and snacks will wear off and she can focus a bit more on the actual hike. She had fun though, and still had plenty of energy on the hike back down. This was a great pick for her first bigger hike and would be good for others with younger kids too. Lots of other happy hikers along the trail encouraged both girls along the way and were glad to see more young hikers enjoying the trails.

Google Earth representation of the hike

For more pictures from the hike, click HERE

Mt. Pierce (4,310 ft) 7-16-22

Distance: 8.54 mi.
Elevation: 2,421 ft (overall) 2,628 ft (total)
Time: (With an 8 yr old setting the pace) 0:31 (Gibbs Falls) 3:16 (Mizpah Hut) 4:17 (Summit) 6:12 (Gibbs Falls) 7:11 (Total)
Trails: Crawford Connector, Crawford Path, Mizpah Cutoff, Webster Cliff Trail, Crawford Path, Crawford Connector

My oldest daughter wanted to get in at least one 4000 footer hike this summer before school starts back up again, so we decided to hit Mt. Pierce for that hike. It is just her 2nd 4K and she is still only 8, so I wanted something that wouldn't be too much for her. And given the good weather forecast, the views from Mt. Pierce wouldn't dissapoint either. This hike also had the added benefit of being to go past the Mizpah Hut as well. Last year when we hiked Webster and Jackson we didn't have time to get to the hut as well before it got too dark for the hike back down.

On the way up the Crawford Path we stopped at Gibbs Falls so my daughter could check them out now in case she was too tired on the way back down. We met a nice pair of hikers there that my daughter conned into, I mean convinced, to hike with us for a while. My daughter enjoyed having someone new to talk to for a while. Eventually though we let them get on their way because they didn't need to take as many breaks. We ended up running into them again at the hut which made my daughter very happy.

Gibbs Falls on the way up

Coming up the Crawford Path

Continuing further up, we took a nice break at the junction with the Mizpah Cutoff. After a nice rest and snack, we went right and headed for the hut. Liliana was very excited to see it in person and get to go inside and check it out. She was impressed with how big it was and many people could sleep there. As I knew she would, she now really wants to spend the night at one of the huts. We spent probably 45 minutes at the hut checking it out, checking out the tent site, and eating some fresh muffins.

Mizpah Hut

After leaving the hut the trail gets steep in a few places. There is a ladder and some boards to level out some slanted sections of trail, but also a few short steep and sometimes rocky sections. My daughter had fun scrambling up these and even wanted to pose for some pictures while doing so. After the climbs though, the trail gets pretty gentle and you start to get some views ahead and behind you.

Climbing a ladder

A small view before the summit

At the summit we took enough of a break to grab some pictures and so my daughter could check it out. But soon after that we headed a few hundred feet further down the trail to where the real views are as the trees open right up. We spent a bunch of time here resting, having something to eat, relaxing, and just taking in the views.

Liliana and Miles at the summit

View from Mt. Pierce

View up to Monroe and Washington

View to the west

For the hike back down we followed the Crawford Path most of the way. Stopping at Gibbs Falls so we could get a closer look and get right next to the falls. Then we took the Crawford Connector back to the parking lot where we promptly took off our hiking boots and put on some dry clothes before drinking some nice ice water I had stashed in the truck. All in all the hike went very well and my daughter did even better than on her last 4K. I think she is ready for another good hike and we will have to start planning that soon.

Coming back down

Back to Gibbs Falls again

Google Earth representation of the hike

For all the pictures from the hike, just go to my gallery on SmugMug