Mt Tecumseh 4003'

Mt Tecumseh Trail down & back 5 miles; 2500' elevation
Trail starts at the Waterville Valley ski area

Conquered my first winter 4k solo, felt like that Moosilauke hike all over again. I had a handful of excuses why I should stay in bed this morning, glad I pushed through and got out there. That feeling of accomplishment coming down from the summit is priceless, really nothing in the world like it. 13 down and 35 to go, back in the saddle and feeling good about it.

Tecumseh was a great pick for a winter hike, part of the trail runs parallel to an unused portion of the Waterville Valley ski area, so that meant plenty of people at the trailhead and most of the trail was packed snow. Did see a few people on the trail but once I got going it was just me and the mountain, being solo on a hike tends to melt any stress from the week.

Windy day picked up all the powder off the trees and put it in my face, like a whitewash every few minutes. Broke up the slow slog up Tecumseh's endless stair, no switchbacks just a gradual incline that never stops. Temperature drop at the summit caught me by surprise again. By the time I found that cairn I was literally steaming, not more then a few moments later my ears are numb and I'm hoofing it back down into the forest. Didn't need my snowshoe's but kept them on all day for traction, saw a couple using Yaktrax and they were doing fine.

Taking next weekend off but them I'm back on it, trying to set up a trip to the Presidentials. Not sure if I'm ready but I'm sure I'll find out.

Lockes Hill & Kimball Castle

Trailhead Off Rt 11 in Gilford, NH - turned a 2 mile loop into a 3 mile adventure

Packed trails for the second weekend running, turns out Lockes Hill is a popular snowshoeing spot for Gilford. Where only one of us has alot of traction we didnt want too much exposed rock. We hiked the same trails last fall so we knew this was an easy Saturday, never underestimate ability to mess up an easy naturewalk.

The goal was to find Kimball Castle. There are maps at the trailhead and cool little signs explaining wildlife and tree types, happy nature bu11$%t. Nothing gives any direction as to where the castle is or how to get there. The conservation area describes itself as the former estate grounds of Kimball Castle, they even talk about where local stone was mined to build the damn thing.

Last fall we did the normal loop hike and never saw any castle. Great views of Winnepesauki & some power lines, but no flippn castle. At the main lookout we noticed some shoe tracks going west away from the power lines, but after a 1/2 mile and no castle we started to question ourselves. We had lost alot of elevation going this way, going back up would've sucked and we were also walking away from the car. With my iphone gps and my compass I knew we needed to head North to get back to our ride, the castle pictures I had seen gave a clear view of the lake, putting it on that end of the forest area. We got our bearings pretty easy, after another 1/2 mile bushwhack we were back on packed snow trails and out to the road.

After a short solo roadwalk I returned to pick up the wife & dog, saw the damn Castle from the breakdown lane on Rt 11. I am a fool. If we had followed the powerlines out we would've ran right into the thing. I trudged up a small ledge next to the road and scored this one pitiful picture of the castle. Whatever, win some lose some.

Mt Major 1,786'

Rt 11 Alton Bay, NH - Mt Major Trl & Brook Trail - 6 miles; maybe 1300' elevation

Visited Alton Bay last weekend, brought my snowshoes. Followed the blue then yellow blazes the long way around, ascending the western ridge of Mt. Major. My trail book said it was the safer option up, with the wife & dog in tow I didn't want surprises.

Mt. Major is a popular hike year round, so most of the trail was packed snow with good footing. We did have to break in a new trail early on in the day, mistook a drainage area for the trail and ended up plowing a shortcut. Gave us a small taste of the suck, breaking trail with just two people isn't something I'll likely repeat. We were able to bareboot closer to the summit, snowshoes almost all the way though. Saw someone with a sled going down as we were going up, not sure if thats fair, but the idea is starting to grow on me. I plan on consulting the elders at Hike-NH.com for further guidance on the matter.

Great start to my winter hiking, even if I'm a little late to the party. Hitting the trails rain or shine this weekend, just not sure where. I wanted to try Welch-Dickey but that hike is almost all open rock, and the dog can't wear crampons. I've narrowed things down to Pawtuckaway or Mt Cardigan, depending on how far I feel like driving come Saturday morning.