Cannon Mtn (4,100 ft) 9-14-19

Distance: 5.26 mi.
Elevation: 2,149 ft (overall) 2,644 ft (total)
Time: 2:07 (Summit) 3:44 (Total)
Trails: Kinsman Ridge Trail

This year for Flags on the 48 our group had picked to hike Cannon Mountain. Our group leader's father has helped out with our flag pole setup, but isn't much for hiking big peaks. The idea was he could come see it in action using the tram. Of course the weather ended up being cool, windy, cloudy, and a bit rainy. So not many of the non-hiking crowd ended up coming along as it wasn't going to be as enjoyable with the weather and lack of views.

We met in the dirt parking lot near the tramway parking lot. Shortly after I got there, everyone was there and ready to go. So we gathered together and headed up the Kinsman Ridge Trail. It was cloudy and a little breezy, but wasn't raining so a wind breaker was good enough to keep me warm until we got further up the mountain and my body warmed up. The trail today would be a mix of a big eroded ditch, some wet potentially slippery rock slabs, and rocky sections following ski glades.

Very eroded lower section of the Kinsman Ridge Trail

Wet rock slab section of trail

The trail following the ski glades

It's been 12 years I think since I have been on this trail, but it was rockier than I remembered it being. It wasn't bad with big rocks, just more rocks than I remembered. As we were getting to the spur that goes to the lookout above the old profile we started to run into a little bit of mud as well. The wind was also picking up by this point, so I decided it was time to put my rain jacket on to stay dry and warmer. As we came out of the trees more above this it was certainly windier.

Coming up towards the top

We made such good time hiking up that we were at the top of the tram with plenty of time before noon and we needed the flag up. So we all went into the building to stay out of the wind and warm up a bit before taking the short walk to the summit tower. Given the summit conditions, we got our flag up pretty quick. With the wind we needed to tie and clamp the pole a bit more to the railing at the top of the tower. With all of the wind, we also had a brief failure where our flag counter weight blew off and fell to the ground below the tower. Luckily no one was down there and got hurt. We had to adjust how it was attached after so that it wouldn't come off again. We flew our flag most of the two hour time frame we ask flags to fly, but with our crew getting cold and at least one dog in our group shivering, we packed up a bit early. Some of our gear was brought down by a helper on the tramway, but almost all of us hiked back down afterwards.

The flag flying in the clouds

The flag flying in the clouds

No views today

Visibility was about 200 feet

The tram was running, and people were taking it

Wires from the tram going off into nothingness

The trek back down went smoothly for everyone. It didn't rain any more and as we got further down the wind got lighter. We never did have any views, but we always find things to talk about instead. Everyone made it down safely even with damp rock slabs to come down on sections of the trail. We all went at our own pace and everything worked out fine. After the hike and more talking in the parking lot, we decided on a place to eat supper and went and told more stories while checking online to see how many other peaks we could confirm.

Google Earth representation of the hike

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

Mt. Weeks (3,901 ft) & Mt. Weeks South Peak (3,885 ft) 9-8-19

Distance: 13.3 mi.
Elevation: 2,219 ft (overall) 3,847 ft (total)
Time: 1:52 (Mt. Weeks) 3:06 (South Weeks) 4:51 (Mt. Weeks) 6:44 (Total)
Trails: York Pond Trail, Kilkenny Ridge Trail

A cloudy forecast for the weekend meant it was time to check off the two Weeks Peaks from the New England Hundred Highest list for me as they don't have any views from the summits or trails. I'm nearing the end of the list and have only one other hike that won't have something for a view. Unfortunately today it also decided to start raining as I got closer to the trail head and it continued to do so for a little while into my hike. This wasn't quite what was predicted, but I had brought my rain jacket just in case.

There were a few other vehicles at the trail head today so I knew others were hiking as well. By the time I got past where Bunnell Notch Trail turns off to the right though, I could tell I was the first hiker heading further up the York Pond Trail towards the Weeks Peaks. This section of trail has lots of tall grass next to the trail as you hike over multiple bog bridges. My pants/legs were getting wet enough through here I could no one had been through yet this morning. In hind sight, I should have had my rain pants for this grass and the ferns that would come later.

Tall grass along the start of the trail hiding the foot bridges

The trail is very gentle to start, staying mostly flat for quite a ways before slowly starting to gain elevation. About halfway up to Willard Notch is where this trail gets the steepest, but even then it is still pretty tame for the Whites and has good footing. It levels back out some again before reaching the junction with the Kilkenny Ridge Trail. At this point in the hike today the rain was just finishing up. What this meant is that all of the upcoming ferns along the trail were now going to be nice and wet as I pushed through them. This was going to get my legs even wetter and that water would then slowly work its way down into my boots.

The trail crosses at this old dam

Gradual climbing

Moss and tree covered rock along the trail

As you get higher up onto the peaks you run into the infamous sections of ferns. I was surprised by how big they were and long you would hike through them. It's certainly not something you see all the time hiking these mountains. As I mentioned earlier though, it meant for wet legs today and eventually wet feet as the water ran down into my boots and socks. When I got to the summit of North Weeks, the first thing I did was take my boots off and ring the water out of my socks. It's not very often I need to do that. The summit of North Weeks has a small opening along the trail and also a small cairn. If it weren't for these, you'd likely start to walk past the high point without realizing it. There are no views and the top doesn't come to any sharp high point. Today the summit was a bit in the clouds/fog and it made for an interesting scene.

Mt. Weeks summit

The trail works its way down North Weeks by working around the south side of the peak through one long switchback of sorts. This section was probably the roughest section of trail of the day. The branches here could have used a bit of a trim in places and there were some rocky bits plus some rooty sections of trail. After coming down to the col it becomes an enjoyable hike up and over Middle Weeks, which has no real indication as to where the high point is other than your own judgement.

The climb up South Weeks is where you start to come across plenty of blow downs from past storms. Most of these have been cleaned up pretty good, but there a few that I had to climb over, under, or around. There was one interesting group of trees that actually made a bit of a brief tunnel to walk through. Navigating this section of trail was probably the most difficult just because of the obstacles. But going back down through it was easier as you already know where to go and how to get through it. At the short spur path to the summit of South Weeks is where I saw the only other hiker of the day on this route. He was actually trying to set a new fastest known time for completing the Cohos Trail. I'm not sure if he made it, but he was making good time when I saw him

The trail going through a bit of a tunnel in the trees

There were lots of old blow downs closer to South Weeks

Summit of South Weeks

The hike back up and over all the peaks goes pretty smoothly. Lots of ferns and stretches of enjoyable trail. While the rain stopped a while ago, it wasn't warm enough for things to fully dry out. The sun seemed like it wanted to make an appearance through the clouds, but it only made a somewhat brief appearance. With no view along this hike, I wasn't missing out on much though.

The best view of the day

Lots of ferns along the trail today

Some trees were covered in old man's beard

After resummiting North Weeks it was smooth sailing all the way back down. More hiking through the ferns followed by mossy sections of woods and then even some shorter sections of hobble bush lining the trail. Back down near the bottom I stopped to enjoy a small cascade next to the trail and take some pictures of it that I didn't want to do in the rain. The one brook crossing is a bit more work on the way out because you have to climb back up onto the concrete wall of the other side rather than just jump down off of it. Water levels were low enough today and my feet were already soaked, so I just walked up to the edge through the water and climbed up. Others appear to go just upstream so it might be easier there if you don't want to get wet.

By the time I got back to my truck it appears that all the other hikers finished their treks or turned around to come back when it is drier. Even with the rain and damp conditions on the trail today, I found this hike to be quite enjoyable. I'll certainly be back through here at some point when it is drier. Maybe as a similar loop, but most likely as a traverse so I can check out more of the trail and surrounding area.

A small cascade next to the trail

Google Earth representation of the hike

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

Mt. Kearsarge (2,937 ft) 7-14-19

Distance: 2.842 mi.
Elevation: 1,138 ft (overall) 1,150 ft (total)
Time: 2:42 (Summit) 5:20 (Total) -- With a 5 year old setting the pace
Trails: Winslow Trail, Barlow Trail

A family hike to in order to climb a mountain all together and check off another peak for Liliana on the NH 52 With a View list. I've done this peak before so I knew it was something everyone can handle. I choose to go up the Barlow Trail and down the Winslow Trail because I know from past experience that coming down the steep rocky section of the Barlow Trail would be slow going for a 5 year old with short legs.

The Winslow Trail starts off without much difficulty making for a nice warm-up at the beginning. As the trail goes up it does start to get rougher with more rocks and in places roots. It then becomes steep and quite rocky for a little bit. The footing is still good here and you can navigate the trail without having to climb up and over anything too large.

Liliana climbing up the roots of a tree to get over the rocks

The rockiest section of the Winslow Trail

After the steep rocky section the trail starts to do some gradual switchbacks to keep it from getting too steep. The trail now stays rocky and goes over some interesting sections of rock slabs before coming up out if the trees. The two trails will join back up with each other at a wooden sign shortly before the summit. Go to the right to make it the rest of the way up. When we were here the cabin of the fire tower was currently being rebuilt. It was just the framed in floor and walls, but it seemed that you could still go up it. There wasn't anything advising people against it.

Liliana leading the way up some rock slabs along the trail

View from the unfinished summit fire tower

View to the southeast

Liliana having a snack in a makeshift chair

The fire tower cabin is currently being rebuilt

View to the northwest

Madison having fun at the summit

After having some fun at the summit and spending plenty of time taking in the views, we headed back down. We knew it would be slower going with little kids and we didn't want them getting two tired and hungry before we could get them somewhere for supper. The Barlow Trail isn't as steep or as rocky to come down, but it is longer. Liliana was getting tired by the time we got down, but almost the entire length of trail was easy enough for her to climb down that she didn't need help. Only holding someone's hand a couple times to stay steady on some smooth rocks.

One of the views coming down the Barlow Trail

This is a nice little hike with great views at the summit. It is and would be great to do as a family hike as it isn't super long. If you wanted to do an even shorter version you could come up from the other side and have even less of a climb to do.

Google Earth representation of the hike

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

Mt. Monadnock (3,165 ft) 6-22-19

Distance: 7.01 mi.
Elevation: 1,646 ft (overall) 1,790 ft (total)
Time: 4:58 (Summit) 8:48 (Total) -- With a 5 year old setting the pace
Trails: Old Halfway House Trail, Thoreau Trail, Cliff Walk Trail, Smith Connecting Trail, Amphitheatre Trail, White Arrow Trail, Old Toll Road

Today's hike of Mt. Monadnock would be a bit different than normal for me. Today would be my oldest (5 yrs) daughter's first attempt to hike it all under her own power. After a couple other test hikes earlier this year, I think she is ready to try hiking her first "big" peak. I choose a route that would let her do things she likes. Multiple views on the way up, some of my favorite spots, and plenty of rocks to scramble up and over.

Ready to start the hike

We started off on the Old Halfway House Trail as I'd much rather hike the trail next to the road than walk up the road, plus I figured we would be coming down the road at the end when she was more tired. After our first view at the Old Halfway House site, we went up the Thoreau Trail which at it's end brought us to another view. From there we continued up the Cliff Walk Trail which has scattered views and some scrambly bits before a great view at Bald Rock.

Happily hiking up the trail

View from the Cliff Walk Trail

Climbing a rocky section

From Bald Rock we went up the Smith Connecting Trail and then across part of the Amphitheatre Trail. Both of these trails have some interesting things to look at along them if you are paying attention. Whether it be interesting rocks or trees in odd shapes from dealing with the weather and continuing to grow. Once to the White Arrow Trail we took that up to the summit since it had more climbing up and over child sized rocks. My daughter seemed to always want to go over those rocks rather than around.

Made it to Bald Rock and still happy

A small downpour just missing the mountain

At the summit it was pretty breezy, so my daughter didn't get very far from my side since it was a bit hard for her to walk without getting blown around. After pointing out some of the things you can see from the summit (unfortunately she couldn't make out Boston when I tried to show her that) we found a place for some snacks and drinks away from the most crowded spots. It was busy at the summit, but not as busy as I expected.

Made it to the summit

Trying to stay out of the wind

Summit views

Summit views

For the descent we went down the White Arrow Trail and then the Old Toll Road. I thought being the most direct route this would help with my daughter's tired legs. In hind sight I should have thought about her needing to climb down over all the rocks on this route. Next time I think I would come down the Sidefoot Trail as it has better footing and wouldn't really add much if any distance. Near the bottom of the Old Toll Road I could tell my daughter was getting pretty tired. I offered to carry her backpack at this point and it was the first time I had to help her carry her stuff. I was super impressed with how well she did for the entire hike and how much fun she was having the entire time. She was thrilled to tell everyone about the hike, even while we were still on our way down.

Interesting clouds on the descent

Google Earth representation of the hike

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

Peak Above The Nubble (3,813 ft) 6-15-19

Distance: 8.26 mi.
Elevation: 2,350 ft (overall) 2,573 ft (total)
Time: 0:43 (3 Rocks) 2:45 (Summit) 3:57 (3 Rocks) 5:39 (Total)
Trails: Haystack Road, Bushwhack

The next peak to check of the New England Hundred Highest list would be Peak Above the Nubble. Unfortunately while other roads were opening up for the summer, Haystack Road was still closed. This meant a an easy walk out the road as a warm up. After some walking and then a long straightaway, the road starts to drop a bit through a couple corners and that is where the infamous three rocks are that block the end of the fire road where the bushwhack begins.

If you have to walk the road, the three rocks are shortly after this sign and straightaway

The three rocks

I didn't check the distance, but the walk up the forest road isn't too long. At a small clearing with an exposed banking of dirt you bear to the right and soon after that you will reach the herd path that leaves to the right. It is marked by a small cairn that is slightly obscured by the branches of the saplings around it. The path at this point is easy to follow with a worn trail on the ground and enough room between the branches to easily walk.

The herd path leads into an old clear cut that many past trip reports mention. I wasn't sure how bad to expect this to be, but it wasn't bad at all. It appears that some trimming of trees has been done through here over the years to keep the path open. After this, the more traditional bushwhack begins.

Bear right at the small clearing

Small cairn where the herd path leaves the forest road

After the old cut the woods open back up and the path again is still pretty easy to follow. There were a couple small blow downs along the way, but nothing that couldn't be easily hiked around. You just need to look for the herd path again once on the other side. The herd path also appeared to split a couple times. One of these times the path leading to the left lead to it small outlook where it clearly ended. There were also a couple spots where it seemed to split just to rejoin again a bit later. For the most part it seemed that taking the path on the right would be the best way to stay on the herd path to the summit.

Herd path above the old cut

Herd path through open woods

As you near the false peak before the true summit, the trees start to get thicker. Again, I still found the path pretty easy to follow though. It even goes over and old blow down that is a great example of how the grain of a tree can twist the length of the tree rather than stay straight. The false summit nice small open spot just off the main herd path that has decent views including one showing just how close you are to the summit.

Just before the summit the path levels out. After another short push through thicker trees, you will come to the small opening where the summit canister and two signs are. There is enough room here for a small group of hikers. On your left is the short path that leads out to the edge of the summit where there is a patch of shorter trees and a bit of an outcropping you can stand on. From here there are some great views over to the Twins and Hale. In the distance you can also make out the Willey Range and the Presidential Range as well as a nice view north towards Waumbek and Cabot.

Steep herd path in the spruce

View of the summit from false peak

Just before the summit

Summit Area

Path from the summit to the viewpoint

Summit view

Summit View of North Twin

On the descent I followed almost the same path to start. With the woods pretty open, I wasn't too concerned if I wandered off the herd path because I knew it was still pretty easy hiking and I would likely find it again. If nothing else I did have my GPS track from ascent now too. Above the old clear cut I wandered to the right to work my way around it. I had seen some trip reports where others did this and said it was pretty easy going. I was also a bit ahead of schedule and was in the mood for exploring. I found some short saplings and other things to push through or go around, but this route went pretty smoothly and before too long I was back onto the herd path shortly before it comes back to the forest road. After this it was a pretty easy hike back to the truck.

Google Earth representation of the hike

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