Housekeeping

No Peter, I stay.


A few small changes... If you can read this you can read the address bar at the top of your browser. You'll notice our URL changed, felt it was a natural move - no big deal. Calm down. Also I upgraded the photo section to your right --->, something like 300 + photos there now, enjoy. Trying to get out on the trails the weekend after Easter if the weather is good!

Mt Chocorua 3490'

Piper Trail to the summit, Jim Liberty Cabin then looped back on Wateemoo trl

Back on the trails early this year, good weather has melted most of the snow off Chocorua(Cho-kora). A group of us have started a tradition hiking this mountain first every spring, this year we stretched our adventure into an overnight @ the Jim Liberty Cabin.

Popular dayhike in this good weather, kind of expected it too. This climate change magic is great for hikers like me, just wish I got a chance to snowshoe this year. Only small amuonts of ice left on Chocorua, used my Yaktrax on the Piper trl close to the summit - 5 minutes max. Trails are maintained superbly on this trek, only one blowdown on Sunday morning to speak of but otherwise some great looking trails for the traffic.

Again Chocorua's summit will keep me coming back every year, and its not even on my 4K list. I realized last summer that hiking to chase some list is so NOT what this is all about. If I'm racing through a list all I'm doing is wasting time and gas, gaining no experience from the journey itself. Chocorua is that proof of concept, some of the best views in the Whites on popular Rt 16 at only 3490.
But this was still March, andthe mountain chose to remind us of that Sunday morning with a good rain and fog treatment. A tempature drop overnight had me nervous about leaving, the Jim Liberty cabin sits on elevatin and I was worried aout an icy descent. But we were fine, that side of the mountain was completely clear of snow, and the rain stopped once we got going.

Great times with great friends, looking at some fun hikes this year!

Mt Cabot 4170'

Unknown Pond & Kilkenney Ridge Trails

10.6 miles roundtrip; trailhead off millbrook rd Stark, NH

Hiked three mountains in the northcountry last weekend, slept at Cabot Cabin!

Great times with good friends, 4 of us travelled north to Stark,NH Saturday morning, using the unknown pond trailhead on millbrook road (just before the 2nd bridge). Moderate grades to unknown pond, nothing too strenuous but the elevation was constant that entire 1st day up to Mt Cabot. With a slight drizzle all day we didn't linger at the pond, after a quick snack we started our ascended The Horn. An awesome peak I plan on returning to, thick fogg prevented us from enjoying what should be 360 views of the surrounding countryside.

After a quick trek down the spur path we were on our way up to the Bulge, a wooded peak between the Horn & Cabot.  As we found the clearing and cairn at the top indicating the summit, it actually started snowing! We all hoped for an empty cabin (or hot chicks) and the snow/hail pushed us down then up the final elevation to Cabot. 

Once we found the summit of Cabot I was just nervous about how many more steps that cabin was, which wasn't many thankfully. A friend had overpacked and need to unload, I had the space, but some "on the fly" pack shuffling had left me off kilter and tired for most of the afternoon. My own fault, rushing myself I guess.The second day was much better on my shoulders, only because the strap on my bag broke and I replaced it with a rope rig, Macgyver style. 

Cabot Cabin is probably great in the summer, not really a warm place last weekend. We all shifted around when a few late night hikers and a puppy showed, but plenty of space for maybe 8, 10 if people sleep in the kitchen. There was a tent platform near the outdoor firepit for overflow, an outhouse and a rainwater catch. A sign for a nearby spring led us too far downhill I thought to be worth it, the eventual ascent was not ideal so bring your own water in or treat the rainwater bucket (gross). 

Hiking out after a warm breakfast felt so much easier then the first day, all downhill walking laughing with friends. I'll be back here when the weather is warm again, long drive but well worth the isolation and scenery.

Pulpit Rock Conservation Area

Only like 2 miles; Trailhead on New Boston Rd in Bedford NH
Well maintained trails; Easy grades with some technical spots

Awesome spot really close to Manchester. Only 20 minutes from the house, took the wife and the dog for a quick recon trip last Saturday. Easy walk out to a small waterfall and a pool with a few fallen trees in there, looked like I was right not to bring my bathing suit. Zelda found the water quite refreshing however, tore my shoulder out when she tried for an olympic dive off the cliff. She thought frothing water on one side was a flat surface and just walked right in at first, funny stuff.

Found the trails well maintained, the few bridges looked newer and I didn't encounter any blowdowns. There isn't any real elevation for this one, the constant root sections and boulder fields made up for that in spades, fall foliage kicking in may be glossing that opinion a little. Looks like a great spot for snowshoeing, might even provide a challenge in some spots.

Mt Passaconaway 4043’

Oliverian Brook, Passaconaway Cutoff, Walden Trail;
9.8 Miles - Oliverian Brook trailhead off the Kanc

Solo overnight this past weekend, conquering the elusive Passaconaway added the 14th notch to my imaginary hiking belt. Left work @ 6pm Friday, boots on the trail by 8. Hiking in the dark gave “stealth camping” a whole new meaning for me, set up camp maybe a mile in next to the brook. Brought the wife’s Nook with me (awesome), fell asleep reading with any noise drowned out by gurgling water at my feet.

Woke up with sunlight Saturday morning, on the trail by 7am! The Sandwich Range is a peaceful place early in the morning. For a while the only noise was my own footsteps, splashes and frantic swimming broke the silence as I walked past a family of beavers, spooked em good just walking past.

Oliverian Brook trail was flat and inviting, well maintained trail hugs the brook off & on, no serious hiking till I met the cutoff. The cutoff is definitely an incline but very gradual, nothing I couldn’t handle if I was in shape. Unfortunately for me, minor repairs on a new home does not build leg muscles, Passaconaway had me wishing I stayed home the higher the sun got in the sky.

After the cutoff the Walden trail takes you up to the summit, a mix of gradual inclines and flat walking as you round the mountain and assault from the south. Although technically a wooded summit, I found excellent views both on the trail and closer to the top. There’s a sign that just says “view” close to the summit, walking down about 5 minutes to a northern outlook was well worth it.

Left the summit area around 11am, made it back to ManchVegas for 3:45! Proud to see myself back on the trail, happy to clear 10 miles and still have an afternoon left.

Grounded

For now. Been radio silent for a while, haven't hiked anywhere in a long time. Not that its an excuse, but if all goes well I close on my first house this wednesday. The time off has been productive to say the least.
Trying to get up to the mountains soon, once things settle down I'm expecting to post every weekend again. Hopefully...

Mt Chocorua 3490'

7 miles; Liberty & Brook trails with a small road walk
SW Trail head on Paugus Rd in Albany off 16

Trying to look for houses instead of peaks lately, good to get back on the trail for perspective. The hiking season proper started with a bang, two colleagues and I conquered an awesome beast with 60 degree weather and beer in the backpack.

Some of the snow is gone, that left water on the trail and some ice spots as we went higher. I looked like the pro wearing winter boots to the slopfest, light day pack with a pounder I bought in Ossipee waiting for these two other clowns. Coming down the mountain was slow going as the Brook trail needs a little work in places, my spider senses have lost no edge and were tested quite often.

BEST SUMMIT EVER =0

Double rainbow all the way across the sky. We are looking at a rocky playground over 3000' feet with some of the best views I have ever seen. Chocorua is going to see me every spring for a long time. Trying to use this as a springboard for the season, no knee pain and ready to rock out some 4ks! Its on like donkey kong