Strolling up the Whiteface Memorial Highway

I had originally planned to do this a few weeks back when it was still somewhat "wintery". There was still a few patches of snow on the road, mostly about 50 yards or so and not too deep. For the most part it was down to the concrete with a fast moving stream in the ditch and torrents draing off the slopes wherever there was a brook. About a third of the way up a couple of guys in a truck with chains on the tires came up behid. It seems that they were seeing how far up they could go. I guess they gave up after the second section of deepish snow altough that was the worst of it and they could have easily made it all the way up. I'm glad that they tried as they plowed a wide swath for me through the only deep snow on the trail.

Other than the random snow on the road and in the woods this was like a mid summer day. It was bright and hot at the top, the view was hazy and there was not a lot of snow in the surrounding area. Seems strange to be able to count such a day towards the winter patch but no complaints from me!

More pics.

Spring skiing at Attitash

The ski package at the motel was for Wildcat and Attitash (a dual ticket that meant you could ski at both on a given day). Wildcat with it's west facing exposure was faring well with the spring heat wave. Attitash was doing much better although the skiing was best in the early morning before the sun and heat turned the snow to wet cement. Attitash has a nice view to the north of the southern presidentials and some of the mountains west of Crawford notch to the west (see pic above of Mt Carrigain). At the top there is a small lookout tower complete with guide to the peaks that you can see).

A short hike to Mt Tecumseh

I got a late start on my hike up Mt Tecumseh. It was a long drive and I was stiff and sore from hiking Mt Moriah the previous day. It was really warm, warm enough to hike in a toque and one layer of fleece. This trail consists of a walk through open forest, a drop to cross a brook and then a long gently graded ramp to the summit ridge. Microspikes did the trick for the entire hike. The best views (of the Tripyramids) were courtesy of a short side trail to the Waterville Valley ski area. From the summit you can see Mt Washington framed between the two Osceolas as well as the view across the valley to the Tripyramids.

The afore mentioned ramp made for a quick descent (although not a quick as the kid on downhill skis who passed me). This is yet another example of well designed hiking trails in New Hampshire.

Spring break on the Carter-Moriah trail

Mt Moriah is not a big mountain (4049 feet) but due to the low elevation of the trailhead (a short walk from my motel) this hike gains 3400 feet from it's start at the end of Bangor Road in Gorham. I started out with just my boots and switched over to snowshoes when I stopped to enjoy the views from Mt Surprise. From there to Moriah it was steady up with occasional flat spots, dips and short steep pitches. Just as I was almost out of gas I looked down (plenty of snow depth on this trail) and saw the sign for the spur path to the summit which was a large rock in the midst of the woods. Shortly after arriving a large group who had come up the Stoney Brook trail joined me.

A perfect spring day with bluebird skies and great conditions. The local ski hills are likely not happy with the unusual warm weather but it makes spring hikes a real pleasure. Early morning conditions were a firm crust but by mid afternoon things had softened considerably. I made good use of my red rocket personal sliding device and had a nice afternoon nap at Mt Surprise.

A Cold Bench

A cold bench on sunny winter afternoon beats a warm office every time!